Covet - Eve Vaughn Page 0,31

know how to reach you in case of emergency.”

Maybe I hadn’t truly said goodbye to Kenny, but there was something else going on that I couldn’t ignore. Against my better judgment I found myself confessing. “Frankie is staying at my house.”

Chris’s eyes doubled in size, and his mouth fell open. “Frankie as in Kenny’s widow?”

“Yes and before you ask me why, it’s for reasons I don’t want to get into now, but it certainly doesn’t help issues.”

“I suppose it wouldn’t considering you never got over her.”

I snort, shaking my head in disdain. “More so disgusted.”

“Well if you’re so disgusted then why is she staying at your place? Look, you don’t have to answer, but I hope you know what you’re doing. I know how torn up you were when the two of you broke up. Strange thing is, even after what she did to you, I never got the impression that she’s not a horrible person.”

I rolled my eyes. Chris had a soft spot for beautiful women, but he didn’t know this succubus the way I did. But now that she was the topic of the moment, I at least didn’t have to focus on the loss of my brother. I could direct all my emotions to the woman who was responsible for it. “You don’t know her like I do.”

“Maybe not. But if she’s so bad, why invite her into your home? I don’t see why you’d want more chaos in your life.”

“As I said, I have my reasons. I shouldn’t have brought her up. You’re right. Maybe I do need to take a little time off, but I can’t completely stop working. How about this: I take a few weeks off and work mostly from home. I’ll teleconference in for the meetings I can’t miss. I’ll turn over some of my portfolios to some of our more promising associates. It might give them a chance to shine.”

Chris stuffed his hands in his pockets. “You are a perpetual workaholic, but if this is the best I can get out of you, then I suppose your solution is a fair compromise. It’s okay to rely on other people sometimes.”

“I know. I appreciate your looking out for me.”

“I hope when you’re home you’ll take some time to relax and maybe just sit and think.”

I doubt that was going to happen with Frankie in close proximity. On the other hand, with my being home I could keep her on her toes. Perhaps working from home wouldn’t be a bad thing after all. “I think I have something I’d like to do while I’m home that will keep me occupied.”

“Care to tell me what that is?”

“Not right now, but I’m sure we’ll talk about it at some point.”

“Fine, be secretive if you want, but I’m just glad that you’re heeding my advice. In the meantime, you really should go out there and apologize to Cheri. The poor woman is beside herself.”

“I will. I promise.”

“Good.”

“I don’t have any more meetings today so I’m going to pack up and take off early.”

Chris stood up. “Okay, man, you take care of yourself, and if you need anyone to talk to, you know I’m always here for you.”

“I know.”

I couldn’t think of a time when Chris didn’t have my back, and I was grateful he was here to tell me things that I didn’t want to hear but needed to.

As I was packing up, I picked up my phone to let Frankie know that I would be on my way home, but I stopped myself. I’d be there earlier than usual, and though I hadn’t told her what time I usually left the office, it was still early enough where most people would be at work. I wanted to catch her off guard to see what she was actually doing with her time.

My heart pounded in my chest and my pulse raced at the thought of seeing her. I told myself that it wasn’t because I was happy to see her but all the things I intended to do to make her miserable. I was dead serious about making her life hell. Now that I’d be home most of the time, it was something I could do more thoroughly.

After packing up, I called the florist and ordered the largest bouquet to be sent to my assistant, but I knew that wasn’t enough. On my way out I gave Cheri a verbal apology for being so difficult, and I was thankful that she quickly accepted.

Once I was out