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“You’re going to see Eagle soon,” she says as her teeth chatter. “I bet he missed you so much.”
Maybe the hormones are clouding my thinking, but Fiona’s hopeful voice nearly breaks me. I’m so afraid for her. Now, I have a baby to protect. Seeing Eagle wouldn’t solve my problems, but my heart hurts in a way only his touch can soothe.
Regaining my composure, I look over Fiona all bundled up. Normally, I’d think she didn’t need to be so afraid. The world wasn’t out to get her. The terrible ideas instilled by Zaja weren’t real.
Now, though, with Todd Rogers, his gold digger, and those two surviving sons, Fiona really is facing danger. Not that any of her safety gear will protect her from their evil.
Before my fear can amp up Fiona’s, I force myself to open the guesthouse’s front door. The autumn chill reminds me of how warm Eagle’s room is at the Pigsty. Cuddling with him in bed left me so hopeful. I ache to feel that way again.
On our journey to the mansion, Fiona stops three times. We walk along the concrete path and across a paved road. She keeps checking Gatsby and turning around to “see” the house we left behind. I patiently get her focused back on our mission.
“I’m not scared,” Fiona insists, even after she begs to go home.
“Your father has many armed men on the property. They won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“What if the armed men hurt me?”
“Your father will have them killed.”
“But I’ll already be hurt by then.”
Unable to argue with her logic, I wrap an arm around her and talk about how she’ll take a long hot bath when we return home.
Todd Rogers’s mansion seems larger every time I step inside it. As Fiona and I slowly make our way to the smaller dining room, Ashley appears around a corner, wearing a low-cut shirt flaunting her perky breasts.
I instantly find myself wondering about Eagle. Why would he choose me over a younger woman? Am I fooling myself over what we share? He always wants me to stay, but that could simply be his male ego. If I said yes, would he suddenly realize he had to get up early in the morning and ask me to leave?
Distracted by my insecurities, I don’t notice Ashley silently walking past us. She casually kicks her foot out in front of Fiona and me. We both stumble with Fiona landing on her hands and knees while crying out my name.
“I’m here,” I say, adjusting Fiona’s walking stick in just the right direction to slap a snickering Ashley in the face.
“Fucking hell!” Ashley cries as she cradles her left eye.
Unable to see what’s happening, Fiona whimpers, “Irina?”
“Just keep your eyes closed and slowly stand,” I explain in a steady voice. “Gatsby is right next to you. Use him to find your balance.”
Always best when I can focus on caring for someone else, I lose my earlier wishy-washy demeanor. Coldly enraged now, I stand up and stare blankly at a pissed Ashley.
“You did that on purpose,” she sneers at me. “Stupid bitch.”
“Who is that?” Fiona asks, now on her feet and stroking Gatsby’s curly mane.
Still watching Ashley, just in case she lashes out again, I explain, “It’s your father’s girlfriend.”
“Oh,” Fiona says and shrugs. “Is she gone now?”
“Yes,” I reply as Ashley shuffles away while signaling with her hands how I’m dead.
“Why do you think my father doesn’t marry her?” Fiona whispers loudly, and her voice echoes in the wide hallway. “What’s wrong with her?”
“Nothing,” I say, fighting a grin when I notice Ashley eavesdropping. “She’s very attractive and young.”
“Must be a personality thing,” Fiona replies, and I suspect she knows the woman is listening.
I smirk at Fiona’s ornery side. However, the Xanax might be making her saucy, which could turn dangerous. If Fiona can’t edit herself, we might end up having a very bad night.
Soon, we’re seated in the smaller dining room. Fiona and I are across from Jimbo and Larry. Ashley sits at one end, Todd at the other.
