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Amelia settled in the passenger seat of the car and turned to assess Padma’s features as she asked, “Why did Wilder call you?”
The woman was cool and collected as she drove them away. “He didn’t want you to be alone.”
There was no sign that something was amiss. Padma was obviously someone who could control her features. She wouldn’t give anything away, and it was probably in loyalty to Wilder.
“But why isn’t he here himself?”
“I don’t know if you noticed, but Wilder is a very particular person. He’s a bit of a grouch.”
“I didn’t see that until today,” Amelia mumbled.
“But you just met him, right? So. There you go. You know who he is.”
Amelia pursed her lips. “You’re just protecting him. You know he isn’t as bad as he thinks he is. I think his grumpiness is entirely exaggerated to protect himself.”
Padma laughed. “Protecting him from what?”
“From letting other people get too close.”
“I like you, Amelia. You’re smart. That’s good. It’ll serve you well.”
“Sure. It’s not like I’m in a mess of a situation because of my so-called smarts.”
Padma shrugged. “You made a deal to save your father. No one can fault you for that.”
“You know?” she gasped.
“Of course, I do. I’m Wilder’s assistant. Not a single piece of information crosses his desk without me knowing about it. He already filed your divorce papers and put in a protection order with the London Metropolitan Policeandwith Europol and Interpol. Greg can’t get to you anywhere in the world.”
She was stunned. She sat back in her seat, confused. “When did he have time to do that?”
Padma snorted. “You’re joking, right? Wilder is a notorious workaholicandan insomniac. The man never sleeps. I had to ban him from emailing me past midnight, or I would get to the office with hundreds of emails.”
“Whoa. That’s intense.”
“He’s an intense person.”
“I noticed.”
The conversation lulled until Padma unlocked the front door and let them into Wilder’s empty house. “Wilder had some supplies delivered while you were away.”
“What kind?”
“Groceries and fun stuff.” Padma pulled a bottle of tequila from the freezer. “The good stuff too. I make a mean margarita. You in?”
“Howmean?”
“Somean,” Padma assured her.
“Then let’s do it. I haven’t had a drink for fun in years.”
“Stick with me, and you’ll have a real good time,” Padma promised.
* * *
A few hours later,Amelia was full of nachos and margaritas. She lay on one of the couches in the fancy living room while Padma lay on the floor with a mountain of pillows.
“Are you getting paid to hang out with me right now?”
