Page 71 of Worth Every Penny
Charlie clears his throat. “You mother-fucking piece—”
“Okay. Enough. I get it.”
A tiny smile plays on his lips. “I drew on it too.”
“I’m not even going to ask.”
I park outside Matt’s house—a great white stuccoed mansion in one of the most exclusive areas of London. A family home.
I scrape a hand down my face. What am I going to do? Ring the doorbell and tell Gemma that Charlie’s told me everything, and then force them to sleep under the same roof? “You want to stay with me?”
Excitement dances in Charlie’s eyes. “Seriously?”
“Sure. Just until your dad gets back.”
“Hell, yes.” He slaps the dashboard, then looks at me sternly. “Just don’t screw anyone in the kitchen. I don’t wanna see more of that.”
“I promise I won’t have sex in the kitchen. Or any public spaces while you’re living with me.”
“Good. Not even with Kate Lansen.”
“Huh?”
He smiles. “Kate, who sits next to me. I know you like her.”
I grip the steering wheel hard with both hands. “I won’t have sex in the kitchen, if you swear not to graffiti anyone else’s car, house, whatever. No defacing anyone else’s property. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“And don’t go talking about Kate, either. That’s how rumours start, and rumours can ruin a career. She’s my employee, and it would be highly unprofessional if anything were to happen between us.” I’m a lying shit, but I’m not about to dump more crap on Charlie’s plate.
“Okay. But you might want to be a bit more subtle next time you check out her bum in the office.”
This kid.
I open the car door.
Panic flashes over Charlie’s face. “Where are you going?”
“I need to tell your mum. I can’t kidnap you.”
“No. Please, don’t do that.” He sounds desperate.
“It’s either that or I call your dad in New York.” I bring up Matt’s contact details and hold up my phone so Charlie can see I’m one touch away from dialing. “You want to tell him what you did and why?”
Charlie slumps in the seat and crosses his arms. “Fine. But don’t go inside. Send Mum a message.”
I rub a hand over my jaw. It bristles with stubble. “I think I need to do this face to face, even if it is the middle of the night.”
Charlie presses his lips together and scowls at me. “What about Lucie? Can you get her too?”
I think of my niece. Cute as she is, I can’t be responsible for her. “Don’t push your luck. I’m not taking a three-year-old back to my place.”
It’s early the following morning when my phone rings.
Who the hell is calling at this time?
I’m exhausted after last night. It was nearly dawn when I got into bed. Half-asleep, I grab my phone to see Seb’s name blinking at me. I swipe to answer.