Presley’s not supposed to be home for another half-hour.
I quickly shove all the papers back into the folder despite my shaky hands, returning everything to the desk.
Then I head down the hallway and into the living room just as Hayden storms toward the stairs.
He stops short when he sees me, his eyes on fire. “Where were you? Why weren’t you answering your phone?”
I stare at him, dumbfounded. He asked me a question. I need to respond.
But I can’t find the words.
Can’t seem to do anything but stare at him.
At the man whose wife’s heart is beating inside my chest.
It makes another wave of emotion well up inside me, but I do my best to push it down.
“My phone?” I manage to squeak out.
“Yes, Rowan. Your goddamn phone.”
I blink repeatedly, searching my brain for an answer, still out of it.
“I… I must have forgotten it on the coffee table. I was cleaning before Presley got home?—”
“Youforgotit?” His voice cracks like a whip. “You were supposed to text me the second you got home with Jemmy. The fucking second. So I knew he was okay. So I knew he was safe. And you just…forgot?”
“I did text you.”
I move toward the coffee table and grab my phone, my heart sinking when I see all the missed calls and texts from Hayden. Then I navigate to our text thread. But under my latest message is a red warning. The message never sent.
Shit.
“It didn’t go through, but I texted. See for yourself.” I show him my screen, but he doesn’t seem the least bit satisfied.
“And you didn’t think to make sure I received the message?”
“I… I’m sorry. But Jemmy’s fine. You don’t need to worry.”
“I’m his father,” he snarls, his imposing frame towering over me. “It’s my job to worry. To protect them. To keep them safe. Are you always this fucking irresponsible?”
“I’m sorry,” I say again. “I?—”
“Don’t.” He holds up his hand, stopping me mid-sentence. “It’s obvious this isn’t going to work. I needsomeone who can follow instructions. Who I can trust. That’s obviously not you.” He stares at me for several long moments. Then he says, “You should go. Before Presley gets home.”
I open my mouth, struggling to find the words to defend myself. To make him see he’s being unreasonable.
But all I can see is Cora’s face.
So I spin and hurry into my suite without saying another word.
I pack in a blur. It doesn’t take long, since I don’t have much stuff. Then I use my separate entrance to leave, saving me from having to see Hayden again.
As I climb into my van, I wipe the tears from my face, unsure if they’re from getting fired, from not being able to say goodbye to Presley and Jemmy, or because of what I just learned.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
HAYDEN
