“No,” I counter. “But Iamtelling you what our employee records state, as well as the time stamps on the security footage.”
Thatcher blusters some more, just to save face, but I can see he’s thrown by my lack of reaction. Although I’m not sure if he actually believes his daughter is telling the truth.
I can guess where Angelica was, but I won’t pop his delusional bubble. He’s not my problem and, ultimately, neither is his daughter.
A knock precedes Judith as she brings two coffees andbrown paper bags from the coffee shop located in the building next door. The scent of warmed cinnamon fills the room as she sets them on my desk, and I’m already reaching for one before she’s at the door.
“Thank you, Judith,” I call after her. I pull out the cinnamon roll and take a massive bite, ignoring the way Thatcher’s watching me, his expression irate.
I did him a favor by hiring Angelica, and while she’s been helpful in some regards, she’s also unprofessional as hell. She doesn’t complete tasks assigned to her and spends more time gossiping than any-fucking-thing else. Angelica has been at the agency for less than a month, and HR already has a file on her—including more than one complaint about her clothing choices.
“Grafton,” my brother growls. “You need tohelpher.”
I swallow my mouthful. “Why?”
He splutters. “Why? What do you mean,why? She’s my daughter.Yourniece!”
“She’s an adult, Thatcher. Responsible for her own choices. I did what you asked. I gave her a job, an opportunity. It’s not my problem if she chooses to waste it.” I smile grimly. “In fact, if anything, I would say the responsibility rests firmly on your shoulders as her parent.”
“Grafton—”
“You should talk to Meredith about your daughter,” I say easily. “SheisAngelica’s mother, isn’t she?”
He blanches, but it only lasts a beat before his face tightens, his eyes narrowing spitefully. “You know full well that she is,” he says smugly. “And I knew you were still bitter about the fact that you couldn’t hold on to a woman like her.”
I don’t even try to stifle the bark of laughter. “You mean the woman you’re divorced from?” I shake my head, noteven bothering to argue. Meredith and I met twice, and I wasconsideringasking her on a date when Thatcher swooped in, determined to win her from me.
And win he did, the viper.
“I think we’re done here,” I say shortly. “If you leave now”—I check my watch—“you should catch Angelica coming back from her two-hour lunch break. Maybe you can talk to her about her work ethic.”
His nostrils flare with barely restrained rage as he spins on his heel, storming out of my office and slamming the door behind him. I finish my cinnamon roll with relish, wiping my fingers just as my phone buzzes. I grab it, my lips tilting at the message waiting for me.
My Lynne
I have some time today.
A simple message, and yet my heart skips a beat like I’m a teenager with his first crush, and not a man who has recently turned forty. I stare at the message, curiosity sifting through me, wondering whether she has confronted Christopher with what she learned.
I didn’t enjoy showing her those videos, even if they served a higher purpose. Hurting this woman will never be something I seek to do—another reason I will never deny her now.
Grafton
I’m free for lunch. Meet me at Rosetta Cafe at 12.
She reads the message straight away, but doesn’t immediately reply. My smile widens, imagining her sitting with her phone in her hand, wondering what to tell me.
Lynley has been neglected,starved, and I don’t think sheeven realizes it. But there’s something she’ll come to learn about me; I’m a man who knows what he wants, and I’m not afraid to burn down the obstacles in my path to get it.
The last few months, I’ve had my hands tied behind my back, trapped between horrendous jealousy of her asshole husband and unmitigated rage that she is trapped by someone who has no clue about the kind of treasure he holds.
I’m a different kind of man from Christopher Delcourt, and once Lynley is mine, she’ll never doubt where she falls in my priorities and affections.
My Lynne
I’m not sure that’s a good idea.
Grafton
