Page 61 of A Convenient Secret

“At Zach?” I frown. “Explain.” It’s a command that is perhaps a bit too harsh, given what she’s just gone through.

But when it comes to my kids, I struggle to maintain reason at times. Especially when I am clearly in the dark.

Kendra kept me in the dark about her real feelings and motivations. I don’t allow anyone else to do that.

Lily flinches, her face veiled with fatigue, but as the fighter she is, she pushes to stand. “He doesn’t want to play soccer, so I allowed him to skip today’s practice until he talks to you. But before you get mad, be mad at me. I should have discussed it with you first, but this morning, I… well, after this morning—”

“Enough.”

She startles, but when she blabbers from anxiety, there is no other way to snap her out of it.

At the same time, I’m unreasonably grateful for her current word expulsion, because at least it gives me hope she’s feeling better.

“Declan—”

“Lily, please, just fucking be a good girl and rest. I will respect your unwarranted promise to my son, but just fucking stop talking and stay put.”

I march out of her room and barrel into my office. Snatching my phone, I call my driver. I text my assistant to cancel my afternoon calls. I wanted to spend time with the kids today, after all.

I have seven missed calls from Cormac and three from Roxy. Shit. I completely forgot I bailed in the middle of our call.

As I dash downstairs, I dial my brother to prevent myself from checking on Lily.

“What the fuck? Is everyone okay?” Corm answers after the first ring.

If only I knew. “Yes, it was just a drill alarm, but Lily didn’t know and got scared.”

He hums like there is more to that information. Fucker with his sixth sense.

“Did you agree on the next steps?” I focus on business while getting into the elevator.

“While we still hope you’ll change your mind and move to London for a year, for now we approved a change in the budget to account for an outside hire. Roxy is working with the recruiter to bring us names to vet.”

“Good, because I’m not moving.” I get to theunderground garage and nod to my driver before sliding onto the backseat of my Escalade.

“It’s a shame, but I understand.”

“Thank you.”

“So what’s with you and Lily?”

Chapter 13

Declan

Ifreeze. “What do you mean?”

“You dropping the call without explanation to rush and help her during a false alarm comes to mind.”

“It was a real alarm drill, and she thought there was a fire. Your point?”

“No point. You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”

I groan, resting my head on the backrest of my seat. “I don’t know. As much as I try to stay away from her, I… I don’t know. I need to get laid, I guess.”

“Look, bro, I’m the first one to cheer your attempt to get out there finally, but don’t complicate things. She is my wife’s friend, and your nanny.”

“I know.” I sigh. “I swear, I’m going to take one of the divorcees’ offers tonight. Is Saar coming with you?”