Page 30 of Mile High Baby

"So I did good."

I shrugged. "For you and me, yeah. I'm not so sure your friend will feel the same."

Samantha Layton’s family was like mine. Wealthy, but not stratospheric rich like Henry. I would've been surprised that Gwen Layton stayed in her home after her husband left her for a younger woman. But the information I received said she was gravely ill, and moving was a bitch under the best of times. My report also told me that Samantha had been working out in Washington state until her mother became ill, at which time she returned to New York. She had a son, but no one was listed as the father on his birth certificate. I was sure Victoria would think my knowing that was too invasive, but it was my job to make sure there wasn't any sort of crazy conspiracy working against her and Henry. For all I know, George could have been the kid’s father.

"How well do you know Samantha?" I asked because my research also told me that they'd been out of touch for a few years. Not that it necessarily meant anything. Henry and I were frequently out of touch, but our friendship was always intact.

She slanted her gaze at me. "Is this something that you have to know to do your job?"

"Maybe."

"We met in college. We roomed together for a while. And if you're worried about her being a danger, I think she's all right. She interned at Dad's company for a while. He even helped her get her job. And now she's home taking care of her sick mom. I think I'm going to be safe."

She was probably right. The fact that Henry knew her, and helped her, went a long way toward making me feel more secure about this visit. I didn't know Victoria well enough to know how well she picked her friends. All I knew was she was Henry's daughter and was willing to fuck a stranger on an airplane.

We arrived at the house and her driver pulled to the curb. We all exited the car. The driver pulled all our items out of the trunk. We bought enough stuff that the three of us were needed to carry it all to the door.

As we walked up the steps, I scanned the area, noting the two Saint Security cars I'd arranged to have on site.

Victoria knocked on the door, and we waited several minutes before a middle-aged woman answered. She showed no recognition of Victoria, which to my mind was a good sign since she'd been hired only eight months ago. Had she recognized Victoria, I’d have been suspicious.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

Victoria flashed a stellar smile, and I had a moment to feel jealous of this woman getting this blast of sunshine. Even in the moments when Victoria and I were getting along, she hadn't smiled at me like that.

Jesus fuck. Why did I care?

"I'm Tori Banion, a friend of Samantha's. I wanted to stop by to say hello and bring some things for them." She motioned to me and the driver holding the bulk of the items we were bringing. I noted how she'd referred to herself as Tori. I called her Victoria, but maybe I should call her by her nickname. No. In my mind, she was Victoria. Beautiful, regal, and mother fucker, I needed to stop thinking of her like that.

"Did you have an appointment?" the woman asked.

"No, I know I'm being rude just dropping in like this."

"Who's at the door, Marie?" A woman with long blonde hair and large green eyes that almost looked like they belonged on a manga character stepped up next to Maria.

Recognition came to her eyes, but her reaction wasn't happiness at seeing her friend on the doorstep. I couldn't quite decide whether she was annoyed or nervous. It had to be annoyed because why would she be nervous unless she knew the danger Victoria and Henry were in?

"Tori?" Samantha's eyes moved from her to me and the driver, and then back to Tori. "What are you doing here?"

"I come bearing friendship and some gifts. I wanted to see you and to help if I can."

All of a sudden, a child's head pressed between Samantha and Maria. Victoria squatted down and leaned forward toward the boy. "Hi, Pax. How are you?"

"Did you bring me something too?"

"Paxton!" Samantha put her arm around the boy. "I'm sorry. He doesn't understand that's bad manners."

Victoria kept her eyes on the boy. "Of course, I brought you something. I brought all of you something." Victoria lifted her gaze to her friend, and I could see concern and maybe confusion on her face.

"I will make some tea. I think it would be nice for Ms. Samantha and Pax to have a friend over." Maria stepped away from the door. Samantha watched her, and I got the feeling she felt betrayed by the act. I was pretty certain Samantha didn't want to visit. But there was no easy way of getting out of it, and clearly, she knew it as she stepped back, holding the door open.

We all stepped forward. I set the gifts in the foyer and took the bags of food from the driver, letting him go. Another woman arrived and took the food from me.

Samantha looked at me.

"This is my dad's friend, Alex Sterling."

She didn’t explain why I was there. The fact that she didn’t introduce me as her bodyguard indicated she didn’t want her friend to know.