Page 44 of Beyond the Spotlight Discreet Version

My heart beats as thoughts of a family dance through my head. I grew up with loving parents who were taken from me too soon. Then my sister became my legal guardian. She was young, only eighteen, and barely an adult herself. She supported me in my modeling and acting career and moved us to the U.S. when I was sixteen so I could follow my dreams. Now she’s gone too, and I’ve assumed this parental role by myself. It’s been so fucking hard.

To see the three of us together through my daughter’s eyes, as if we’re a proper family, squeezes my heart. Which is ridiculous because I’ve only known Savannah for a month. She’s my daughter’s nanny. She wouldn’t want…

I’m absentmindedly whipping up scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast while drowning in my thoughts when Savannah walks in. Fuck, she looks fantastic. She’s brushed her straight blonde hair, and it falls over her shoulders. She’s wearing a light pink sun dress that has a corset built in, covered in white daisies. Her cheeks are still pink, and I hope it’s the afterglow from the orgasm I gave her.

“You cooked? I was going to do that.”

I set out three spread options for the toast: grape jelly, strawberry jelly, or butter.

“I know, but I got here first.”

I plate Addy’s food, then Savannah’s, setting both on the island’s counter in front of them. After preparing my plate, I sit diagonal to Savvy, so I can see her.

“It’s not a competition, BG,” she muses while spreading grape jelly on her toast.

My favorite.

“Really? I’m just British Guy? Even after you and me…” I pause and glance at Addy, who’s not paying us any attention.

“My apologies, sir.” Savannah giggles and digs into her food.

I desperately want to respond to that brat, but I suppose I must be appropriate while my daughter is around.

After about five minutes of us enjoying breakfast, Savannah sighs. Concern plagues her face.

“I have to tell you something.”

She sets her napkin on the plate and slumps her shoulders. I straighten, not at all liking how nervous she is by the way she chews on her lip and flips her phone over and over on the counter.

“My ex texted me last night. He knows I’m in New York. I told him to leave me alone then blocked him, but… I’m worried he might try to contact me again.”

I relax slightly. “How did he get your number? Didn’t you change it?”

“I did. I changed it to a New York number after I moved here. Brad said he got it from my friend’s phone when she wasn’t looking.”

“Do you think he’ll come up here to find you? I know you said he didn’t hurt you, but could he?”

She shakes her head. “He’s an idiot and as intimidating as an ant. Plus, he’s too broke to come up here.” Her eyes flicker to Addy. “But…”

Now I’m following her train of thought.

“Sarah and Henry won’t let anything happen to you or Adeline.Iwon’t let anything happen to either of you. Okay?”

She nods, not totally convinced. “Okay.”

“Good.” I finish my food and take the plate to the sink to wash off and place in the dishwasher. “I have three more late nights this week. Lana flies in on Wednesday. You two should hang out. Friday night we’ll have dinner. You, me, Addy, Lana, Mylan, Eloise, and Kelly.”

“Okay.”

“Do you have Lana’s number?”

“No.”

“I’ll send it to you. I’m sure she’d love to play tourist with you and Addy. You haven’t done that yet since arriving, correct?”

“Not really.”

I sigh at her short answers and defeated demeanor. She’s still concerned about her ex. I walk to her side and cup her cheek, my body blocking hers, so Adeline can’t see what I’m doing. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this.”