Chapter 1
One week ago…
Calliope James
On Sundays, especially in the summer months, most of New York stays in bed until noon. That’s why it seems like overkill for Isabella’s husband to book the whole restaurant for brunch. I guess, when you’re a billionaire, money is no big deal. Nonetheless, we have the place to ourselves.
“Anyone else need to use the ladies’ room?” It’s my second trip in as many hours but when you’re pregnant, it’s perfectly normal.
“I’ll go.” Always trying to make people feel at ease, Blakely jumps up, grabs her purse, and shoots me a smile.
“Six months down and three to go.” I scoot my chair back enough for my baby bump to clear the table and stand.
We create a small breeze as we traverse the room and pink helium balloons wobble. I’ve been gifted with baby bottles, teething rings, diapers, and so much stuff I can’t imagine using it all. Still, it’s very sweet. These women flew from all over to give me a baby shower.
At the top of the basement stairs, I pause and smile at my husband standing by the front door. Perhaps we can wrap this party up in time to have hotel sex before he has to go back to work.
I run between the tables to give him a big hug and kiss. “Can you grab the bassinet and bring it to the car?”
“Sure thing, luv.” He shoots me a panty-melting smile, the one that says he also has getting naked in mind.
“I need to go downstairs… again.” I roll my eyes, he chuckles, then speaks to Suds in his headset. “I’m leaving the building for a few. You got this? …Copy that.”
To be honest, I didn’t want him working on his day off but he insisted. At least I’ll have use of his huge muscles to carry all the gifts back to the limo.
With a quick wave, me and Blake descend the brick staircase built around the time of the Civil War. Three well-worn doors block our way at the bottom. The one to the right says gents, straight ahead is blank, and to the left is our destination.
Inside the ladies’ room, I blink several times to adjust to the brightness. Blue fluorescent light reflects on white subway tiles covering every inch of the walls. Blake sets her purse down on the marble shelf surrounding the modern sink and checks her perfect long blond hair.
While I find a stall she asks, “How’re you feeling?”
“Physically or mentally, doctor?” With a laugh, I deflect her attempt to psycho-analyze me and she chuckles.
“I was inquiring about your physical health but if you want a quick session, I can.”
“Except for having to pee constantly, I’m fine.” Finishing, I flush, wash my hands, and open my purse to find a little makeup.
“Does anyone look good in this lighting?” I reapply mascara to emphasize my blue eyes, some blush to my pale skin, and add a little gel to my spiky yellow hair.
Blake brushes hers. “It’s not easy to go straight from college to instant family.”
“I wouldn’t say that. Lucky makes everything seem… easy, I guess. Nothing ever ruffles his feathers. We’re good, really good.”
And he makes love with me every chance he gets.I think back on how we met and smile. Was it the sexy Aussie swagger that hooked me or maybe it was his accent? No matter. He made me feel like I was the only woman in the world and I adore him for it.
When Blakely smiles at me, I ask, “You’ve been married for a while now. Does the lust ever die down?”
The tops of her cheeks turn red. “Not yet. Jack keeps it… interesting.”
Chuckling, we both lean over and check our war paint until a man’s voice sounds overhead. We both jump. I put my finger to my mouth with one hand and point with the other.
No one other than Isabella’s bodyguard should be in the building.
Our eyes grow wider as we stare up at the open pipe protruding over the bathroom door. It must connect to the men’s side.
“I don’t feel so good about dis.” His accent is thick, no doubt from Brooklyn or Queens.
“Nobody axed you, did they?” The nastiness in the second guy’s voice reminds me ofThe SopranosorThe Godfather.Either way, it’s not good.
