AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He heard voices at the front door. The Gallaghers weren’t bad people, just as boring as a long baseline rally with no net shots. Even worse was their daughter, a gorgeous but vapid redhead he’d once escorted to a benefit at his father’s request. Their first and last date. God, he hoped she wouldn’t accompany her parents.
Forget a pleasant evening with Kelly. Damn.
Kelly.
What would she think when she returned home and found the Gallaghers? They’d be soused beyond logic by dinnertime, apt to say anything. Outrage ignited in his gut as he understood this dinner party was a calculated move by his father to keep Kelly on the outside. To put her in her place.
“When are you leaving?” Trey demanded.
Senior raised his eyebrows. “I haven’t decided.”
“Tomorrow,” Trey said. “You’re leaving tomorrow.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
KELLY WAVED GOODBYE to Hans and trudged up the marble stairs of Wentworth Villa, dreading the thought of running into Wentworth Senior. She’d already had one hell of a day—including one particularly nasty domestic call—and was too drained to fend off the old man’s energy suck. Plus, the entire precinct remained abuzz over the allegations of fraud in their department. It was all anyone could talk about, even brass, and she was sick of the whole subject.
She just wanted some downtime. Maybe she could read to Jason after dinner and get lost in a silly story.
Over the gentle splash of the fountain in the loggia, she detected voices drifting from the direction of the dining room. She inhaled a delicious aroma that smelled a lot like sirloin and moved toward it. She could eat a good steak.
She slowed her steps as she got closer, hearing the clink of silverware on plates, boisterous laughter. She could make out two distinct women and two men that weren’t Trey. One was likely Senior, but who were the others? Trey hadn’t held dinner for her tonight, no doubt because he had guests.
She paused, not wanting to make her presence known. Deciding to go into the kitchen and fix herself something to take up to her room, she turned and almost bumped into Maria.
“There you are, Miss Kelly,” Maria said. “Thank goodness.”
“What’s going on?” Kelly asked.
“Mr. Wentworth’s father invited friends for dinner. You should go on in.”
“No,” Kelly said, registering how jittery Maria appeared. Again. Her hands actually trembled as she smoothed her skirt.
“I don’t want to interrupt the party. I’ll just fix myself a plate and go to my room.”
Maria frowned. “But Jasonito is refusing to eat until you do.”
Kelly closed her eyes. Just when she thought she could escape more drama. “I’ll bet Senior loved that.”
Maria nodded. “I feared he would strike the child, but they placed him in his booster chair and went on with the meal.”
Trey had allowed that? Although ignoring the kid was probably the best thing to do. Jason truly did need a mother to teach him how to behave. Kidnapping or not, he couldn’t continue to be treated like a little prince.
“Let me change out of my uniform first.” Get rid of my weapon.
“No, Miss Kelly.” Maria shook her head. “The longer it goes on, the more upset Jasonito becomes.”
Kelly looked toward the door. “I really don’t want to go in there.”
“Please,” Maria said. “For Jasonito?”
“Do these people know about Jason’s amnesia?”
Maria shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Great.” Kelly repositioned the heavy gun belt on her hips and walked into the dining room. This could be awkward.
“Ah, here is Officer Jenkins now,” Senior proclaimed in a booming voice.
“Mommy!” Jason raised his arms toward her.
She gave Jason a hug and took the open seat next to him.
“Kelly,” Trey began, “I’d like you to meet Carol and Jack Gallagher, and their daughter, Courtney.”
Kelly forced a smile and nodded at the Gallaghers, all three of them, including a stunningly gorgeous woman of about her age with thick, shining red hair.
“Pleased to meet you,” Kelly said.
“And this of course is Kelly Jenkins,” Trey continued.
