“You okay?”
She ignored the stupid question. “Are you serious? You’refiringme?”
“Not…firing. Just…just until after the merger.”
“When is that going to happen? What am I supposed to do between now and then?”
“You told me your mom wants you to go home for Christmas. I’ll buy you a ticket?—”
“Why?” The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. “What did I do?”
Charlotte looked up, her gaze flicking from her to Mr. Aylett and back.
“Nothing.” He lowered his voice. “You did nothing wrong. It’s just, you were threatened tonight, and?—”
“I’m fine. And you need someone to take care of Charlotte.”
“It’s just for a little while. People are starting to talk, and?—”
“You’d do this to her to avoid a scandal?” Delaney let her anger mask the hurt and betrayal she was desperate to hide. How could he do this to her? How could he do this to Charlotte? “You’re more worried about your reputation than your niece.”
“I’m not. It’s just until the merger’s finalized, which should be?—”
“Who’s going to take care of Charlotte?” Delaney’s voice cracked on the child’s name.
“I am.” His gaze hardened. “I managed it before. I can do it again.”
“Who’s going to take her to dance? Who’s going to make sure she doesn’t run off at the playground?” Delaney’s hurt was transforming into something sharper, more dangerous. She lowered her voice to a whisper, checking on Charlotte. “I grew up with a father who always had something more important todo than spend time with us. At least we had Mom. Who will she have?”
Noah’s jaw tightened, but he offered no answer.
They walked in tense silence, Charlotte’s innocent chatter to her teddy bear the only sound between them.
The injustice of it burned. Delaney had done everything right. She’d protected Charlotte, loved her, helped her heal. And now Noah was throwing her away because some gossips had nothing better to do than speculate about his personal life.
“You don’t understand the pressure I’m under,” he said finally.
“You’re right, I don’t.” The words came out whispered and clipped. “I don’t understand how a business deal could be more important than a little girl’s well-being. I don’t understand how you can?—”
Charlotte stopped abruptly, tugging on both their hands. “Look! A kitty!”
The same small tabby cat Delaney had seen the day she’d met Charlotte darted across their path. Charlotte veered in that direction, but Delaney took her hand and gently pulled her forward.
“Just look, love. Don’t follow.”
They watched until the cat disappeared into the bushes in front of a shop before turning back toward the house.
Noah froze.
Delaney followed his gaze.
A woman was standing on the sidewalk.
She held a handgun—aimed at Delaney.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Time fractured into razor-sharp fragments.
