Page 105 of Trust Me

“It’s not that hard,” Eve says nonchalantly, as if the way her brain works when it comes to numbers isn’t a big deal. She’s like that though, always playing down her strengths. “Here, let me show you something else.”

She starts typing on the laptop. Kyle watches diligently. Neither one has realized it’s no longer just the two of them.

Kyle laughs as he peers at the screen. “It took the guys in my accounting department three days to come up with those numbers. You did it in a matter of minutes.” He sounds astonished. He places a hand on her shoulder. “You’re going to make a lot of money one day. When you’re ready, give Townsend Industries a try.”

That’s when my protective instincts kick in.

“Ladybug,” I call out.

Kyle looks my way, but I keep my focus on my niece.

“Morning, Aunt Ry,” she murmurs but she keeps her attention on the laptop, typing something.

“Ladybug, why don’t you go and brush your teeth and change out of your pajamas? I’ll make you breakfast.”

“Okay, I will …” She trails off but doesn’t make a move to get up from the stool. She’s hyper focused on whatever’s in front of her.

“Eve,” I say more sternly. “Go brush your teeth.”

I move into the kitchen, still ignoring Kyle as I start to prepare my morning coffee. However, it’s already made. Someone already brewed the coffee. I turn my attention back to Eve, who hasn’t moved.

The screen in front of her holds all of her attention.

“This where you can add in the other numbers you were looking over—”

“Eve,” I say, cutting her off.

“One sec, Aunt Ry. I’m just explaining how to do this.”

“I said go brush your teeth and change out of your pajamas. Now!” I don’t mean to scream but my voice comes out loud.

The room grows silent, and Eve looks up at me with wide eyes.

She tucks in her bottom lip and slowly nods. When she scurries off without another word, my heart sinks. I don’t ever yell at her. I know how sensitive my niece is and how lost she can get when she’s concentrating on something. Especially when it has to do with numbers.

I’ll have to apologize to her later.

“She was helping me.”

I whirl around on Kyle, pointing at him. “She is not a part of your plan!” I hiss.

His eyes narrow as he looks from the tip of my finger to my stare. “What?”

“Don’twhatme. She is not part of whatever scheme you’ve blackmailed me into. You want to use me to get back at Dean Walsh, fine. I’ll do it. But you will not use my niece to further whatever business you’re trying to accomplish. She’s not one of your employees.”

His eyes narrow to slits but I remain undeterred.

“She’s a child. Eleven years old. You leave her out of whatever designs you have to get back at me or anyone else you think has screwed you over.”

He doesn’t say anything as he unfolds his long body from the stool. He looms over me, but I continue to glare up at him.

“Do you think I would use a child to get back at you? Is that what you think of me?”

I thrust my head back, surprised at the hurt in his tone.

No, it can’t be hurt.

He would have to have genuine feelings in order to be hurt. Kyle is too conniving and manipulative to feel anything akin to hurt.