Page 10 of Lust and Honor

“Yeah, because you banged half her female employees.”

“A few harmless quickies in a hotel room, who’s it hurting?”

He snorts. “It hurts when the entire staff turns on each other like rabid dogs over your dick.”

I puff out my chest, grinning with pride. “What can I say? I can’t control my charm.”

He flicks his eyes to my crotch and throws a jab. “Yeah, and you can’t control your zipper either. That’s why we have to keep your dick on a leash.”

Before I can fire back, Emily walks into the room.

The little dog, who’d been lounging in a corner, lets out a few lazy yaps at her arrival before curling right back up. The boys, on the other hand, explode with excitement and start bouncing up and down at the sight of her.

Carlo turns to the two tiny troublemakers with a commanding tone. “Time to dry off. Come on out.”

Even toddlers know that tone means the fun’s over. So, without a peep of protest, they let Carlo lift them out of the ball pit. Then he turns and, as usual, greets his wife with a kiss.

But Emily’s not her usual self. She’s pale and distracted. Carlo picks up on it right away. “You okay, baby?”

“I’m fine. We need to talk,” she says quietly after glancing at me.

My good mood dies instantly. Sounds serious. Carlo gently strokes her arm. “What’s going on?”

Emily gestures toward the boys, her voice soft and low. “Can you change their clothes first, please?”

I step forward. “Is something wrong?” I ask. “Did you notice a threat? Should I alert the men?”

She shakes her head. “No, not at all. It’s something between me and Carlo.”

Carlo studies her closely and doesn’t push further. Emily glances around the room. “Where’s Aurora?”

So, the little carrot’s name is Aurora.

I jerk my thumb toward the playhouse. “She’s holed up in there.”

Carlo heads to the wardrobe, and Emily walks over to the playhouse, calling softly for the carrot. The girl emerges, still clutching her doll, and without a fuss, walks right into Emily’s outstretched arms. Emily lifts her up, cradling her with gentle care. “Did you have fun today, sweetie?”

The girl sneaks another glance at me before burying her face in Emily’s chest.

“Is she mute?” I ask Emily.

She shoots me a glare. “She’s shy. Especially around men.”

I slip my hands into my pockets and tease, “No surprise there. You’ve had her mom locked up in that hotel for a year. No wonder the poor kid barely knows what a man is. If you lifted my hotel ban, I could help them out.”

I brace for a fiery comeback, but instead, she turns her attention back to the carrot, her voice soft again. “I visited your Mama today, sweetie. She misses you so much. Told me to give you a big hug and say she loves you very much.”

Mentioning her mom seems to be the magic code that finally unlocks the carrot’s tongue. “Where’s my Mama? When is she coming?”

Emily answers gently, “I told you already, sweetie. She’s at the hospital. Just two more days, and she’ll be with you.”

The girl’s little lips tremble, and her big eyes well up with tears. “I want my Mama.”

That’s my cue.

I glance over at Carlo, who’s just finished changing the boys’ clothes. “All right, that’s my drama quota for the day. I’m out.”

***