Page 25 of A Convenient Secret

One that, if I’m honest with myself, I arranged so I can deal with the demands I never saw myself addressing.

Back to safety and order.

One more day.

I will delete her footage from my security system tonight.

Yes, in the last few days I went into hiding, and into full-blown stalker mode. I’ve never logged into my home security as many times as this week. Who am I kidding? I haven’t logged out this week.

Lily didn’t destroy the house, and doesn’t engage in any other outlandish entertainment ploys anymore.

She talks to the kids—more Zoya than Zach, which is not surprising—paying eager attention. I respect her for that.

She herds them around to do their homework with proficiency. I admire her for that.

She laughs with them a lot. Way more than they’ve ever laughed with me. I hate her for that a little.

But mostly, I just stare at her. She is clumsy,dropping things. She is giggly, chatting with my housekeeper. She is all bright and positive, but there is something behind those eyes. Something I want to unravel, and I have no idea why.

It’s like I armor myself with a glower while she protects herself with a smile. And while I believe her smiles are genuine, I feel like they are her weapon as well.

Fuck. I’m really deep into this nonsense. A few more hours and she’s gone.

My assistant knocks and enters with my coffee. “Mr. Quinn would like to see you in his office.”

“We don’t have a meeting.” Why would my brother summon me?

“It’s all partners for a few moments.”

“Okay.” I take my mug and walk over to Corm’s office. “What’s going on?”

Xander lounges on the sofa, and Corm is finishing a call. I guess we’re waiting for Cal. I take a sip of my coffee.

“Good, you’re here.” Corm turns in his chair.

“Where is Cal? What’s going on?” Xander plays with his phone, tapping it on his leg and flipping it over before he repeats the move. The kid is never still.

“Celeste’s waters broke. Cal can’t make it for the Aertech board meeting, which means I have to goinstead. Someone needs to represent us at the mayor’s dinner party.”

“I’ll go,” I blurt, and both men turn their heads to me.

“You?” Corm frowns.

Okay, I guess his surprise is guaranteed since I never volunteer for any evening engagement, and even the obligatory ones I try to wriggle out from.

“Is this some sort of attempt to prove you’re needed in the States?” Xander snorts.

Fucker. “This has nothing to do with your genius idea to ship me to London.”

It has everything to do with avoiding my nanny. Even though it makes no sense, because she’ll leave when I arrive home from work.

This way I’ll have to ask her to stay longer. Like having her longer in my space—while I’m not there—would solve anything.

It would give the kids more time with her before she says goodbye. That’s the only reason. One I can use when I look in a mirror. Fuck.

“Calm down, Dec, I’m not trying to ship you anywhere. I’d go in a heartbeat—a taste of English pussy is on my bucket list.” He grins like he said something amusing. “But you know I can’t leave at the moment.”

“This is not about London. And for the record, I have nothing to prove.” I start to leave. “Send me the details,” I say to Corm.