Page 51 of Vain

His answer is plausible, but something about it sounds off. Matilda clearly hears it, too. She takes a step back and bumps into me. I squeeze her shoulders. “Go on and head inside, baby.”

She hesitates for a beat before nodding and making her way to the door.

“So that’s it? You’re just going to walk away because he said so?”

“No, I’m walking away before you say something you can’t come back from. Go home, Daniel. You’ve done enough.” With that parting shot, she heads inside, closing the door on her conversation and whatever kind of relationship he thought they had.

“Fuck!” He runs his hands through his hair, looking both agitated and lost. “You fucking happy?”

I stare at him, trying to figure him out. “Why would I be happy when my girl is hurting? She didn’t want this, but you forced her hand, and you know it.”

“Fuck you. You came in here and took a sweet girl and made her your slut. Every time she opens her mouth, your cock might as well fall out—” He doesn’t finish his sentence before he’s on his ass again.

“Most people duck when a fist comes their way. Some bodyguard you are,” I tut and walk toward the house, done with this guy.

“Nobody will want to work with her after I tell them what she’s like.”

I pause and turn around. “Don’t be that guy. You didn’t get the girl. So fucking what? You didn’t shoot your shot. That’s on you. Don’t make out she’s this vile person because we both know she’s not. She was good to you, good to your men, and you want to tear her down because you weren’t the one invited into her bed?”

He crosses his arms over his chest, his face flushed with indignation and, dare I say it, shame.

“Don’t be another bad guy in her life, Daniel. Fuck knows she has enough of them.”

“And you’re the expert on all things Matilda now?”

“I’m not claiming to be an expert. It’s just an observation, but whatever. We both know you’re gonna do what you’re gonna do. Whatever happens, I’ll be there to pick up the pieces.”

He growls in frustration, but I’m already walking away. I keep talking, though, knowing he can still hear me. “I had to sign an NDA when I started working here. I’m curious. Did you sign one, too?”

His silence is an answer all in itself. I grin as I walk through the open door and close it behind me. He can badmouth her all he wants, but he will lose out in the long run. That’s the whole point of an NDA.

I walk into the kitchen and see Marley whispering to Matilda, who is eating a cupcake. I spot Greyson in the hallway. He tips his head for me to join him, so I do, both of us walking out of earshot of Matilda.

“Everything okay?”

“There’s been a daily Post-it note, each with a headless bird. Daniel and his team have no idea how this person is getting in and out without being seen.” He wrings his hands, worry etched into the lines of his face.

“We’ll figure it out. Right now, Matilda doesn’t go anywhere alone. I’m going to be checking the cameras personally.”

“Daniel won’t like that.”

“Daniel doesn’t work here anymore.”

He jolts at that. “Since when?”

“Since Matilda fired him.”

He looks shocked for a minute.

“Did you tell Daniel I texted you when our flight was due to land?”

He frowns before nodding. “Was I not supposed to?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s fine.” It begs the question, though, why lie about it?

Chapter Twenty-Two

MATILDA