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Annie had convinced Kira they needed a lunch out and had made a reservation for them at 312, their favorite restaurant.
“That’s fine,” Annie said. “We have plenty of time before our reservation.”
Kira stopped on their way to the front door to compliment the gardeners on their work, admiring the vibrant roses and peonies they were planting along the walkway. Together with the jasmine Kira had ordered, it was going to smell like paradise.
She was unsurprised to find one of Lyon’s men on the porch. He seemed to have men everywhere, trying to be unobtrusive but keeping an eye on her anyway. She’d told him she didn’t think it was necessary, but he’d insisted, and she didn’t have the heart to press the point when she knew it made him feel better to know she and the baby were protected.
“Hello, George,” she said to the fresh-faced guard. She hadn’t remembered ever meeting him the first time Lyon introduced them, but he’d become a fixture at the Lake Forest house.
“Hello, Mrs. Antonov,” he said nervously. “How are you today?”
She smiled. “I’m very well. Thank you for asking. How are you?”
“Me?” He looked stricken, his blue eyes wide, as if he didn’t have the answer. “I’m, uh… I’m fine. Thank you.”
He was too sweet for words, although she had no doubt he was armed and well-trained beneath that youthful exterior. Lyon would have it no other way.
“Can I get you anything from the house?” she asked. She kept the fridge stocked with drinks and the makings for sandwiches, and the pantry full of snacks, just in case any of the guards or gardeners got hungry or thirsty.
“No, ma’am.” he blushed down to the roots of his short blond hair. “Thank you.”
“I hope they have that special today,” Annie said, as Kira unlocked the door. “The stuffed snapper. It’s better than an orgasm.”
Kira laughed. “I think you need more orgasms in your life.”
Annie sighed. “From your lips to god’s ears.”
Kira closed the door behind her, set down her bag, and started for the stairs.
“Where are you going?” Annie asked.
“I need to see if they finished with the wallpaper in the baby’s room,” Kira said, her hand on the polished mahogany banister.
“But I want to see the living room,” Annie said.
“You saw the living room last time, remember? Nothing has changed,” Kira said.
Why was Annie acting so strangely?
“You had the moldings installed,” Annie said. “I haven’t seen them.”
It was true, the moldings — custom fabricated to match the historical period of the house — had been installed in the last week, although Annie had never shown any interest in such details.
Kira sighed and took her hand off the banister. “Okay, we’ll go see the moldings first. I promise they’re not that exciting though.”
“I’m sure they’re nicer than you realize,” Annie said, following Kira into living room.
“SURPRISE!”
The shout almost knocked Kira backwards, and Lyon rushed forward to grab her arm as shock gave way to understanding.
The living room was full of their friends and family, all of them beaming at Kira under a WELCOME, BABY banner that had been strung on the wall. Balloons in yellow and greenbobbed against the living room’s high ceilings, and a table near the window had been piled high with presents.
Kira held her hands to her chest as if that might stop the pounding of her heart. She turned to look at Annie. “You!”
Annie laughed. “I’m sorry! I had to get you here and I had to be with you. It was my job.”
“But where are all the cars?” Kira asked, trying to piece together how they’d kept it a secret.
