My eye tics, but I manage to disguise the flinch. Blake is not a whore. She was young and impressionable kid who craved the love of a father figure.
“I can’t have divided loyalties, Quinn,” Barrett continues.
“That’s not going to be a problem,” I assure him. “And I think I’ve already demonstrated that I can handle myself.”
Barrett smiles for the first time. “True, but you’ll find that Ilya has more of a backbone than Reid. If you’d pulled that trick with him, you’d be in a shallow grave by now.”
He says it so casually, and he looks smug when he seesthe color drain from my face. Barrett likes intimidating women, even if he has to rely on the threat of violence from another man. Could I be dealing with one monster, or two?
There’s a knock at the door, and Clara arrives with a tray of coffees. “I can come back if you haven’t finished.”
“No, this is perfect timing.”
I can only offer Clara a wan smile as she serves our drinks, then pulls up a chair next to mine.
Barrett’s features soften. “There’s no easy way to say this, Clara, but the home I was trying to build here is being undermined by an old enemy,” he begins. “Did Quinn tell you she was attacked a second time by Reid Griffin?”
Clara’s eyes are as wide as saucers as she twists towards me. “No! When?”
“It’s fine. He–”
“He threatened her,” Barrett interjects. “I’m afraid the Griffins’ interest hasn’t waned since they tried to get my dying mother to sign my property over to them.” He heaves a heavy sigh. “They won’t give up, and under the circumstances, I don’t feel safe making it my permanent residence.”
“Why can’t they just leave you in peace?” she asks.
Barrett’s mouth turns down. “I wish I knew, but I can only respond to the threat. As you know, I have a new business partner who’s going to provide the kind of armed security I fear we need here now, but it’s still not going to be enough.” He leans forward, his voice softening. “Clara, it wouldn’t be right for me to put my staff at risk. You have Piper to think of, and I can’t put another of her parents in danger.”
“Oh,” Clara says, her shoulders slumping. “Yes, of course. And you’re right, it doesn’t feel safe here anymore.Please, don’t worry about me. You’ve been more than generous already.”
“I’m going to have to let Tandy go too.”
My coffee cup burns my fingers as I grip it tightly. “You’re closing up the mansion?”
“There’s still work to do, which is why I want you to consider remaining, Quinn,” he says pointedly.
He weaves his lies so closely to the truth that it’s hard to see the join. And as his trusted assistant, I’m expected to tie up the loose threads. “I’d hate to leave a job unfinished,” I say.
“But Quinn can’t stay,” says Clara. “If it’s dangerous…”
“I’ll keep Jason on too, and they can both live here for now,” Barrett says. “The less time they spend traveling between here and town, the less opportunity the Griffins will have to intimidate them.” His smile is broad and cunning. “And I’m sure Jason would jump at the chance of free board and lodgings. Not to mention having Quinn as a roommate.”
“That makes sense,” I agree. Living here suits my purposes. I’m less thrilled about having Jason watching my every move, but at least I won’t be on my own when Ilya’s men start prowling around.
Clara smooths her dress. “When do you need me to leave?”
“Some of Ilya’s men will be here next week. They’re going to stay in the guesthouse and use the stable block too. It looks like my dream of owning horses will have to be put on hold,” he tells her with another sigh.
“That’s a shame,” Clara replies, then waits patiently for Barrett to answer her initial question.
“I’d rather you were gone before then,” he says. He delivers the message without emotion, and waits for Clarato react. She’s on the verge of tears when his voice turns honeyed. “Clara, I said I’d support you after Ethan died, and I meant it.”
She manages a nod.
“I still need a housekeeper, just not here,” Barrett continues. “Poulton Springs isn’t going to be the sanctuary you and Piper deserve, which is why I can offer you the same position at my house in Connecticut. It’s nowhere near as large as this, but there are living quarters over the pool house – enough room for you both, and for Tandy. It’s rare for me to spend any time there, but the house still needs maintaining.”
He tilts his head. Clara’s too stunned to respond.
“And if you find that your heart still belongs in Poulton Springs, you can always come back. Surely, it’s worth a trial run before you decide.”
