Page 64 of Accidental Groom

I shoot a quick, cautionary glare at the screen. “Are you surprised by that?”

She shakes her head. “No, no, I just thought it was impressive. Nathan said she was quick on her feet. Her portfolio’s quite impressive, you know — I had a look at the White Distillery’s event page this morning.”

I flick my pen between my fingers and rest my chin on my knuckles, watching the screen with narrowed eyes. “She’s smart. And she’s got a good eye.”

“You should use her, then.”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

“We’ll need a grand opening for the Switzerland location, no?” she says, her bright red lips parting in a grin. “We’re lacking when it comes to event management. She could bring the right touch.”

I bite at my lower lip, mulling it over. Ralph White didn’t particularly seem tocarewhether I took Elena out of White Distillery, so it wouldn’t necessarily harm the relationship there, but it would depend entirely on what Elena wanted to do. I could make the space easily, could give her a job high up, could give hercontrol.

“Let me think about it,” I answer.

“Do.”

I hang up without another word, shut my laptop, and stare out at the oaks and maples lining the property through the wide window opposite.

It’s a good idea.

Elena’s instincts are sharp, and she’s got charm. I’ve seen firsthand how she flits about at events when they’re not centered aroundher. And Chiara’s right, we’ll need someone to handle the grand opening and to get the ball rolling on weddings and corporate events once it’s open.

But my eyes snag on the very edge of the manor. The west wing.

George’s car is parked outside of it. I’d been clear when I messaged him last night, saying he could stay in the west wing for a few weeks if he kept out of the rest of the house and stayed away from me and Elena. But I didn’t fully expect him to do it. In a house this large, it isn’t exactly difficult keeping space, but if I’m cutting him off, he’ll need more than a few weeks, I imagine. And if he’s getting himself in order,more.

But George has never wanted to be here. Not unless there was a board meeting or a check to collect. He’d always chosen to stay at either the penthouse or any of the hundreds of Highcourt Hotels around the world. He still could.

So why the hell is he lingeringhere? Because of the baby? Because ofher?

I huff a breath through my nose and drop the pen onto my desk, pinching the bridge of my nose as a headache gnaws at me.

I won’t tell Elena about the possibility, at least for now. Not when I’ve got a son to wrangle, not while she’s pregnant and having to deal with him so close and so volatile. It can wait at least until I get him off the property.

I just have to figure out how the hell to do that.

Chapter 21

Elena

The air smells of pine and rain, fall in full spring now as I make my way back from my car to the cottage. Two days in Manhattan for an upscale corporate event White Distillery had been asked to tackle took it out of me entirely, so much so that I nearly take off my shoes halfway down the path, but decide I’d rather not end up ruining my morning by stepping on a pebble.

I pull my keys out of my bag and set my duffel by the door, wrestle to find the right one out of the variety Harry had added to my keychain, and shove it into the keyhole.

But the key barely turns. It’s unlocked.

I blink at the door in confusion. I’d definitely locked it when I left.

I push the door open, looking for any sign of anyone on the ground floor, but find everything untouched. Maybe Harry had needed something and forgot to lock the door behind him, or maybe one of the cleaners had come in?—

A faint sound, barely more than a shuffle, disturbs the silence.

It comes from upstairs, not strong enough to be the house settling or wind, and I pause, not entirely alarmed, but confused.I kick my shoes off, taking a step toward the stairs. “Harry?” I call out.

No answer.

Silence lingers until it doesn’t. A thud comes a second later, and then a door closing — then quick, desperate footsteps.