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Tony’s nod was less than reassuring, but I didn’t want him delving into my psyche any further in the stairwell.Turning back around, I climbed the last few stairs, my mind whirling with questions that would hopefully be answered soon.I sucked in a deep breath and fortified myself for what lay ahead.
Tony reached around me and knocked on Mika’s door.Julianna opened it.Her round belly looked bigger than it did the day before.The petite woman looked miserable, as if someone had stuck an olive on a toothpick.The makeup trying to conceal the dark circles under her eyes couldn’t hide the fact she’d not been sleeping.Seeing her bright and cheerful smile helped ease my worries for her and the baby.
“What are you doing here?”I exclaimed as I reached out for a hug.“Better yet, how did you manage to break out of prison?”
She giggled as she bent at the waist to deflect her enormous belly and hugged me tight.“I bribed the warden with a blow job, of course.”
“So, you made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.That a girl,” I giggled.“Lord, you look like you’re ready to pop.Are you sure you’re going to make it four more weeks?”
“I hope not.I feel like the Hindenburg.My feet are swollen, and I can’t get these stupid contractions to stop.Thankfully, the doctor thinks I might deliver early, which would be a blessing.”
“You will not deliver my son until he’s done cooking, is that clear, pet?”Mika barked, wearing his most intimidating Dom scowl.
“It’s a boy?”I grinned.
“Master thinks so.”Julianna rolled her eyes.“I think it’s a girl.He deserves a girl that will have all the boys drooling after her someday, don’t you think?”
“You’re so bad,” I laughed.
“Behave, pet!”Mika warned.
“Oh, Master.I am behaving.How much trouble can I get into like this?”Julianna patted her baby belly and grinned.
“With you, my love, anything is possible.”Mika shook his head before gathering me into a tight hug.“Thanks for coming up, Leagh.”
“You’re welcome, Sir.”He released me and extended his hand, inviting me to sit on the long leather couch.I eased onto the cushion as Tony took a seat next to me.I couldn’t help but grin as Julianna plopped into Mika’s office chair with a groan.
“I received a call from Reed Landes yesterday morning.He wants to speak with you, so I invited him to come here.”
“Do you know what he wants, Sir?”I asked, poised on the edge of a soft, buttery couch.
There was a loud knock at the door before Mika could reply.When he opened the door, Reed stepped through wearing a broad smile.It was almost too wide, and I could see the underlying tension in his eyes.
“How are you holding up, Leagh?”he asked as he bent and kissed my cheek.
“I’m doing pretty good…finally.How about you?”I asked, studying the defined lines around his eyes that I’d never noticed before.
“It’s different around the courthouse.But we’re adjusting.Listen, I’m sorry I didn’t contact you earlier about what happened with Sloane and Hayden and the house.George wouldn’t have wanted it that way, but Hayden filed a repossession claim, declaring you a squatter.She’d altered the verbiage of the customary order, exempting you from due process.If I had appealed, George’s estate would have been tied up in legalese for months.As it stood, Hayden was going to inherit the house regardless, but it pissed me off that she’d used Bernard to file, sign, and expedite the order.”Reed shook his head in disgust.
“It’s not a problem.I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay there.”The pain I thought I’d managed to put to rest came rushing back.I shoved a tight smile past the surging rawness.
“Bernard’s involvement is a blatant conflict of interest,” Mika growled.
“No doubt about that, but to prove it, I’d wind up having to drag Sloane’s affair and George’s reputation through the mud.”Reed looked at me, his eyes filled with regret.“I’m sorry, Leagh.I know you lost everything, but I couldn’t in good conscience do that to him.”
“No.”I shook my head.“I wouldn’t have let you.Hayden did it to spite me.She always hated the fact I was younger than her.She thought my relationship with George was disgusting.Besides, the threats she and Sloane have leveled against me have me gagged and bound.If word about George’s association with Genesis got out, they promised to sue me for defamation of character.That’s a can of worms I’d rather leave unopened.”
“The truth isn’t defamation, darlin’, but I get your drift.They skirted the law when they froze George’s checking account and turned off your cell phone.But even without Bernard’s interference, an honest judge would have had to side with Hayden, since she’s next of kin.”
“Don’t worry about it.I’m looking for work, and I’ll be back on my feet soon.”At least I hoped so.
“We’ll make sure she gets everything she needs, Reed,” Mika announced.His amber eyes reflected a wealth of compassion.
“I know you’re in good hands here, Leagh, but if something major comes up, call me.You still have the restraining order, right?”
My body tensed.I felt Tony, Mika, and Julianna’s gazes all but sear my flesh.I issued a curt nod.
“Good.I made a vow to George.If anything happened and you needed to get out of town, I would arrange it all and get you to a safe location.”
