“Pat—”
My mother turns to my dad, and her eyes narrow. “I know you feel guilty because of the role you played in all of this, but we’re being asked to just go along with a plan we know nothing about? I’m going to need a little more than that.”
“I know.” Tears spill out of my eyes now, and my chest is heaving. “I’m sorry. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I thought I could keep it from exploding, but I couldn’t. Please, Mom. I can’t raise this baby alone.”
My mom turns back to me, and her features soften. “Sweetheart, of course we’re not going to let you do this alone, but just a few weeks ago, you told us this was what you wanted. This life and that man, and now, after changing your entire life, you’re just going to do what, exactly?”
“I know it doesn’t make a lot of sense, but I can’t explain any of this right now. I don’t know who might intercept this, and I’ve already said too much.”
For the first time, I wonder if I’m going to have to do this on my own, and panic and fear twist my gut.
I don’t know the first thing about having a baby, much less how to raise one.
If my parents don’t go along with this, I don’t know what I’ll do.
You’ll figure it out. For the baby’s sake, you have to keep it together. Do not fall apart now.
My father clears his throat. “We’re with you, kiddo. Every step of the way. The baby, too. Whatever you need.”
Relief floods my senses. “Thanks, Dad.”
“I don’t understand any of this.” My mom shakes her head. “But he’s right. You’re not going to do this alone.”
I’m crying again and touching the screen.
There’s a loud noise outside the door, and fear grips my heart. “I have to go. Be careful. I love you both.”
I snap the laptop shut and stand up.
I throw myself onto the couch and drape an arm over my head. Then, I squeeze my eyes shut. The door opens, and I pry one eye open, offering Katia a quick look.
“What’s going on?”
Katia glances around, one hand on her knife. “I thought I heard voices.”
I lower my arm and sit up gingerly. “I was talking to myself. I guess that’s what you heard.”
Katia steps into the office, checking behind the bookcase and peering under the desk. Then she moves to the window and stares through the glass, her back ramrod straight. When she finally looks back at me, I swing my legs over the side of the couch and stand up.
She gives me one more look before ushering me out of the room.
I try to catch Miss Deveroux’s gaze, but Katia marches me out of the club. She leads me upstairs, past the empty foyer, and straight to Mason’s study. He’s still in the position I left him in, only now, bathed in the soft glow of a nearby lamp, the circles under his eyes are even more pronounced.
You’re not really going to leave him in the dark, are you? He’ll look for you.
Mason stands up and steps out from behind the desk. “Did you have a good time?”
I nod.
He pulls me into his arms and kisses my ear. “It seems Oliver was right, but I’m still looking into it. Mathew has covered his tracks well.”
I lean into him. “What if he finds out you’re looking into him?”
“He won’t.”
“Please be careful.”
Mason pulls back to kiss me, hovering there until a knock on the door interrupts our moment. He crosses the room and opens the door a crack as I turn away. Furious whispers drift in before the door shuts again. In the window reflection, I see Mason come up behind me and wrap his arms around my waist.
