I waited a moment and then murmured what I knew would send her into a tailspin. “In Paradise Grove.”
“Paradise Grove?” Felix blurted out, and I reminded myself he was always listening, always keeping tabs on her so I couldn’t tell her the whole truth or my whole plan. He whistled over the phone. “He better pay you well.”
“Paradise Grove is … Mia, you need to be careful. People there are very connected.”
“Yeah, for the better,” Felix seemed to growl at her. “She’s finally doing something right. Don’t patronize her. We’re happy for you, Mia. You should have us there, and maybe we could meet some people.”
“Right.” That was never happening. “Or maybe at the end of the summer, I can come visit?”
“I don’t know—”
“Of course you’re always welcome here, Mia,” Felix purred, and I recognized that voice all too well.
“Good,” I said because I would be coming one way or another. “Hey, how’s the weather there?”
She sighed, and to most people it would have seemed like she was assessing the clouds, but it’d been our code for a long time. “Summer’s always hot, but it’ll get better.”Life was shit, but it’ll get better.
“And the baby?” I asked, because she hadn’t offered and that had me more concerned with Felix hovering over her.
“Pregnancy is going great. Baby’s healthy. How do you like the new job?”
“It’s fine. With this job, I think we’ll be able to enjoy that better weather together soon.”
“Oh, Mia. Don’t keep a job just for that.”
The way she whispered the words before we got off the call was all the motivation I needed to remind myself that I didn’t care what Jameson was doing with his life—with or without Valerie.
His secrets were his to keep, I told myself. I didn’t need to know any more about him or why he kept his women at arm’s length but employees so close they could be honest with him.
I wasn’t permanent here and didn’t need to follow in their footsteps.
I went through my morning routine, and when I saw a couple tech giants walk past the study doors while teaching Franny, I didn’t listen. When I saw a man dragged past the study, I made sure Franny was focused on her work too and had Archer close the door.
“I think we should have snack time with Rosy in her kitchen,” Franny announced at her desk as she finished her writing assignment and petted Malek, who was constantly by her side.
“I don’t think your dad wants you snacking around the house,” Hades said from the corner of the room. Archer didn’t even respond, just rolled his eyes at what a stickler Hades was.
“Hades doesn’t know, Ms. Darling. He lies a lot. I’m not sure why Daddy doesn’t fire him for lying,” she said matter-of-factly.
“What?” Hades almost gasped, as if completely offended with her statement, but she was already standing to hand me her assignment. “All done. Can we go?”
I shrugged and waved her forward while Hades glared at us, including Archer. “I don’t approve of this,” he grumbled to him.
“Well, all the more reason for you to accompany them.Xavier, Bane, and Cal want me to go over a few …” Archer glanced at me before he finished, “issues.”
“Right.” Hades waved Archer away, and Archer motioned to his ear at me.
“Call if you need me.”
I found that Archer wasn’t necessarily at my side every moment of every day, but he was watching the perimeter of the house with Hades or checking security and rooms that Franny and I went into. Maybe it was overkill, but mostly it made me feel safe.
Even if Hades grumbled about our insubordination the whole way to the kitchen, when we got there, I found his glare was directed more at Rosy than us. Still, she smiled at Franny and pulled her in for a hug. “Did you come to visit?”
“Yes, but Hades didn’t want to.”
“That’s not true. I just said—”
“See, youarea liar,” Franny pointed out. Rosy glanced at Hades before starting to laugh.
