I rub my jaw as I think on this. I know now more than ever that I have to get into Whitlock’s world somehow. The question is how. Especially since keeping him at a distance is going to be the safest option for Andy right now.
Should I be walking into the lion’s den with her in tow?
Chapter 10
Andy Carter
“Andy! Oh my God!” I hear Nikki’s shriek before I’ve even emerged from the car. There’s a clatter of footsteps, and I see my best friend hurtling down the stairs from the front door. She reaches the cobbled drive at a run and almost knocks me off my feet as I straighten from the vehicle.
“Woah!” I laugh after she’s taken my breath away with the force of her hug. “Hold your horses, Mama Bear! You’ll break your waters if you’re not careful.”
“Oh, phooey!” She waves a hand and brushes it off. “I’m months away still; the babies are fine.” She steps away from me and looks me up and down as if examining me for injury. “How are you, though?”
I give a rueful smile. “I’m okay,” I say. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner, though.”
Nikki cuffs my shoulder lightly. “You’re damn right you should be sorry! I nearly went out of my mind with worry.”
“I know. But I called you as soon as we landed, remember?”
“Yeah…and then you made me wait half the day to see you!” she accuses me.
I pull a wry face and reach in for another hug.
“I’m sorry, babe, but can you blame me? I’ve been living in borrowed clothes for two days. I needed to shower and change before I saw you,” I say. What I don’t say is that I had to get the scent of Mateo off my skin. We parted ways the moment the plane taxied to a halt. I have no idea where he went from the airport. Or when I’ll see him again. Not that I care.
Of course, you care.
“Yeah…I’m sure you did.” Nikki grins at me. “Because from what I hear, you’ve been a dirty, dirty girl.”
“What?” I snap, feeling myself go tense. “Shit…what have you heard?”
“Not much,” she says. “Just that you and Mateo spent all your time together. And got freaking engaged!” Nikki’s eyes are wide. “And you couldn’t tell me about it?” She puts her hands on her hips. “I’m your best friend!”
“I’m sorry, babe! I was going to tell you everything, I swear it!” I blurt.
“Really? Doesn’t seem that way to me. We’ve been standing out here for ages, and I’ve had to drag every little bit of information out of you.”
I give a low sigh, feeling myself sag slightly. I rub my forehead, then link my arm through hers.
“You’re right, Niks,” I admit. “I’m sorry. It’s just…surreal, you know?”
Nikki nods as she falls in step beside me as we walk to the stairs leading to the huge front doors of Dario’s mansion.
“I can imagine,” she says. “But now I expect you to dish the dirt. All of it.” We’ve moved into the beautiful interior of Nikki’s new home – the type of luxury I doubt she ever imagined for herself, but she’s fitted right in. As we make our way out to the patio overlooking the pool area, Manuel arrives. I suspect that Dario’s manservant is a bit of a butler with skills – there’s a bulge at his side that hints at a weapon. Though he’s politely courteous as he asks if we’d like refreshments. Nikki gives him a list of snacks that make me grin.
“Pickles and cheesecake?” I ask as we sink into our seats. The air is fragrant with roses and lavender. It wasn’t long ago that Nikki and I were drinking cocktails beside the pool.
“What? So I have cravings, okay?” She leans back and puts her feet on the coffee table, stroking a hand over the tiny swell of her belly. “Now stop changing the subject and spill the beans.”
I take a deep breath.
“Well, it seems my old dad has got himself into some sort of financial shit,” I start. She raises an eyebrow. “Anyhow, he pretty much gave me away to his business partner as part of a deal.”
“He did what?” Her mouth hangs open.
“Yeah. And there we thought it was your dad who was the prime piece of shit, huh?” I grimace. “So, I’m supposed to marry the guy as a way to join the families.”
“You’ve got to be joking!” says Nikki. “And do you know the guy? Was he the one who took you?”
