‘He’s giving you notice so you can prepare.’
Lachlan scans the directive on the schedule and then reads it a second time for details.Alistair Penhalyx is throwing a party here at the Estate in a month’s time.He expects both children to attend.
A month isn’t sufficient notice for something of this scale but Lachlan can pull it together if he makes the effort.‘Heard,’ he simply says to Fenwick and then moves to leave, but Fenwick stops him physically, hand on his arm, they’ve never touched since they shook hands the first time and Lachlan purposefully drops his gaze to the contact, expression glacial.
Fenwick removes it when he’s good and ready.
‘I need to brief the children.’
‘The children are my domain.’
‘Everythingis my domain, including the children, Tanner.Yes, you’re the specialist.The protector.’Fenwick’s mouth twists with derision.‘TheNanny.But I run the show and I will be briefing the children while assessing their performance capability for the party.’
‘Performance capability for what?’Lachlan asks, becoming irritated despite himself.‘They’re not the fuckingVon Trappkids.’
‘You can accompany me on the briefing if you like,’ he offers, already moving further into the wing,headed for theCove.‘But no interruptions.’
It marks the first time Lachlan’s authority over the children is challenged and he doesn’t like it at all.He runs through every angle, every possible outcome.Lachlan ultimately falls into line with Fenwick and follows him to where Jules is reading and Mimi is playing on the floor with Mari and her blocks, building him a tower that keepsaccidentallygetting destroyed by lightning.Both children frown when Fenwick enters.
‘Good afternoon,’ Fenwick greets, his accent pleasingly perky although Lachlan wants to rip his throat out for intruding.It was different with Clara.She wasn’t like Fenwick.‘Your father has sent me here to begin a series of preparations for his birthday party on the horizon.He wants you both to attend.’
Jules sighs, shoulders sinking in resigned understanding.Mimi, however, cocks her head with interest before coming to Lachlan, pulling on his hand, which means kneel down,and then she whispers, ‘Is party bad?’
‘Jessamine,’ Fenwick says.‘I’m talking to you, not the bodyguard.Come and stand with Julian, please.’
Mimi gives him a hard stare.Lachlan sees a little flash of her brother’s defiance when she makes a mean face, wraps her hand around the fox tattoo and then says, ‘Kill him, bodygarden.Bang bang.’
Lachlan bites back a smile, but even though he obviouslywon’tbe doing that, a part of him knows that down the line, Fenwick is going to be a problem in a way Clara never was.
‘Go be with Jewel, princess,’ Lachlan says, tone easy, takes no trouble to obscure language or hide anything.Everyone knows, as Blaire said.It would radiate weakness to try and hide it.
She obeys instantly, albeit glaring daggers at Fenwick.
Jules watches the interaction, sharp gaze moving between the older men before he scoops Mimi up in his arms.‘Why does she have to come?’
‘Because your father wants her there.’
‘She’s four years old.’
‘It’s a family party, Julian.Your father expects you to both be on your very best behaviour, is that understood?’
Damningly, both children look to Lachlan.
Fenwick clocks it, no doubt already mentally composing his complaint to Penhalyx.‘I see,’ he says, lips pursed.‘Lachlan, a word.’
They head to the barracks, mostly because Lachlan wants him away from the kids, but also because if something happens, it’ll happen where Lachlan knows there’s a hard concrete floor to slam Fenwick’s skull down onto.
Fenwick waits until they’re alone.
‘I’ve warned Mr Penhalyx more than once about your relationship with the children, but he refuses to intervene.’His jaw works, feathering.‘You’re too involved with those kids and he’shappyabout it.Do you know why?’
‘Are you offering to tell me or asking?’
‘I’maskingyou.’
‘If Mr Penhalyx has declined to illuminate you,’ Lachlan reels off tonelessly, ‘then far be it from me to step in.’
Fenwick has his back to all the cameras, likely chose this spot for privacy.
