Page 73 of Beautiful Secrets

She blinks uneasily, and steps closer to me.

As if for protection.

Christ.

Protection? I can’t even breathe.

But I slide an arm around her waist anyway, and I pull her after me as Derek turns to lead us to the office.

Why, Mika?

Why?

I swallow hard, holding her even tighter.

A fucking necklace. Not even a pretty one at that.

Fucking magpie.

I’m suddenly thankful we’re leaving the chaos behind, because I’m feeling all kinds of fucked in the head. Derek opens the office door, and we step inside. Blessed silence cocoons me as the hydraulics swing closed behind us.

Why, Mika?

She turns as if hearing my silent demand. Bright blue eyes uneasy, but body relaxed.

Because she trusts me.

Is that why she didn’t run?

Is that why, Mika?

26

Mika

Why do Scots talk so damn fast? I would have been able to listen to their conversation with ease if they would just slow down. What is the rush?

“Here you go,” Sarah says, setting a bottle of water down in front of me.

“Thank you.”

She smiles, but her eyes are already back on Cole and the man whose name I cannot remember.

From what I gather, Cole used to work here. The other man has since taken his position. This woman, Sarah, is the man’s wife, and I think she works here too now.

I’m sitting on a leather couch pushed against one wall of the big office. Cole and Sarah’s husband are on the other side of the room, both leaning against a big metal table with a sleek computer on it.

“How far along are you?”

Sarah turns to look at me, blinking before she speaks, as if she forgot I was here. “Oh. Uh. Two months.” She smooths her hands over her round little belly. “I was hoping I wasn’t big enough for people to notice yet.”

“You look beautiful,” I tell her, giving her a tight smile. “I was just curious.”

“Mika, is it?” Sarah asks, her eyes narrowing a little. She points at the cushion beside me. “May I?”

I nod, shifting a little to the side to make more room.

Sarah sinks down and lets out a sigh as she stretches out her legs. “So how long have you two—” Sarah cuts off with an awkward laugh. “I mean, when did you—” She lifts a hand. “No, it’s none of my business.”