“I am going to watch your downfall. You have no right to your father’s company, and you have no business getting custody of that little boy. I haven’t seen youoncewith that child.”
“I’ve been busy trying to fight you off?—”
“You’ve been busy coaching that girl, and pretending to be ready to lead.” Miranda rose to her feet. “I know she’s a fraud. I’m going to prove it. And once I do, it won’t matter that you’ve never accepted me as part of the family: because it will bemyfamily, my company, not yours. Good luck with Gigi. You’re going to need it!”
She stormed out.
Fuck.I headed out into the hallway, almost colliding with Philips. “Sir, I’m afraid we have another situation.”
“I heard.”
He kept pace with me as I barreled down the hall. “Where are they?”
“The playground. I’m afraid Miss Gigi is making a scene. The little boy is crying. Maria tried to take him to his room, but Miss Gigi threw a veritable fit.”
“Great,” I snapped. Who was the actual child? Gigi was the one throwing temper tantrums…
I found them at the playground. Gigi was screaming, and both Maria and Luke’s faces were streaked with tears.
“Howdareyou tell me how to parent!” Gigi shrieked at the poor nanny. “You have no right to keep my son away from me! Who gave you permission, huh?”
“I’m not the one in charge,” Maria said, shaking her head. “Please lower your voice, he’s so upset?—”
“SHUT UP!” Gigi grabbed Luke and shoved him behind her. “That’smyson! Don’t you dare act like he’s yours!”
“I’m not.” Maria’s eyes were filled with tears. “Please just calm down.”
Gigi took a step toward her, just as I reached the scene. “Back off, Gigi. That’s enough.”
I stood between them.
“Maria, I’m so sorry. You can go.”
“Mr. Barrington,” she said, sounding relieved. “It’s okay, it’s not your fault.” She looked at Luke as if she didn’t dare leave her charge. He stared up at her, beseeching, his whole face red. The little boy was terrified.
Gigi Barrington had a hell of a lot to answer for.
“What’s going on? I heard yelling.” Rory jogged over. Her face was red, with a light sheen of sweat, and she was dressed like she’d been out for a run. “You okay, Maria?”
The nanny nodded imperceptibly as Gigi scowled at Rory. “What the hell do you want?”
Rory ignored her. “Luke, you okay, buddy?”
Luke shook his head no. He’d stuck his hand into his mouth and was either sucking on it or chewing it, I couldn’t tell which.
“Hey, come on.” Rory held her hand out for him. “Let’s go get a popsicle, okay? Then the adults can finish whatever this is.”
“Don’t you touch my son!” Gigi pushed Rory’s hand away. “Get away from him. He doesn’t even know you.”
“Uh, first of all—do not touchme.” Rory straightened her shoulders. “Second, Luke and I are buddies. He’s upset. I’m not trying to start trouble with you, I’m just trying to help him.”
“He doesn’t need your help,” Gigi sniped.
I took a step forward. “Watch it.”
“Youwatch it.” Gigi whirled toward me, her long hair billowing over her shoulders in a fresh blowout. Her dangly earrings, dark eye makeup, and platform sandals were woefully out of place on the playground. She’d probably never set foot on one before.
She stared me down. “You should’ve invited me to the wedding, Rhodes. I’m family.”
