“I guess I’ll go up before I go down.” I hit the button for the penthouse.
Lorna took a step forward and leaned into me. “You know, all the steamy romance novels and movies have a hot sex scene in an elevator.”
Without thinking, my gaze went up to the trim between the walls and ceiling before I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her to me. “Do all of those scenes include voyeurs?”
She gasped, stepping back. “There are cameras, aren’t there?”
“Yes, sweetheart. And while there’d be a good chance I’d see the footage first, there’s an equally good chance of it being either Patrick or your brother.”
As the doors opened to the hallway in the penthouse, she replied, “Never mind.”
“Anything I should know?” Sparrow asked as he held the door open, allowing Lorna to step out.
She shook her head. “Absolutely not.”
Sparrow grinned as he entered and the doors closed. “Garage.”
“I guess my new role is elevator operator.” I hit both the 2 and G buttons. “Who’s driving you to Michigan Avenue?”
“Christian was closest. He’ll drive me to the office and wait until Garrett is back from the hospital.”
Again, the elevator stopped. Holding the doors ajar, I asked, “Are you confident in the team of Sparrows Mason is installing at the hospital?”
Sparrow nodded. “Watch the security and infiltrate the patient information. Check to make sure no one else is in the system. There’s no reason for us to assume that Jettison or his partner would be after Patrick or Madeline. Everything points to Laurel.”
Thousands of questions I’d asked myself earlier came to mind. However, as Sparrow stood in his Michigan Avenue attire, I knew now wasn’t the time to discuss them with him. I’d do my own research. As the elevator closed behind me, I scanned my palm on the sensor.
The steel door slid open.
Lorna
As I stepped onto the marble floor of the penthouse hallway, I heard noises coming from the direction of their home office. For many years—until Araneae arrived—the room had been Sparrow’s office and his alone. Walking toward the slightly open door, I smiled, recalling my surprise at Sparrow’s willingness to share this space with his then acquisition or girlfriend or whatever title he’d bestowed upon her.
I pushed the door open, seeing Araneae standing near her desk where there used to be a sofa. Her desk didn’t match her husband’s. Sparrow’s was a large wooden one with ornate carvings. Truly, his desk was the one piece of furniture that didn’t fit in this room or the entire tower. Araneae’s desk was sleek, made of glass in an ‘L’ shape, and hosted multiple screens. Her back was to me as she scrolled something that looked like lists and lists of numbers. From where I stood, I couldn’t see the particulars.
Rapping my knuckles on the doorjamb, I waited.
Araneae turned toward me and smiled. “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“I got a call from Louisa and have been caught up in these reports. I’m afraid I left the kitchen as it was. I can help you clean up in a—”
I shook my head. “I don’t mind. I want to stay busy. My thoughts are on Madeline.”
Araneae let out a long breath as she leaned back in her leather chair. “If I’m honest, I think I welcomed the distraction of these reports. At least Madeline knows what to expect. I’ve read books and watched videos.” She shook her head. “I don’t recommend the videos.” She laid her hand on her very visible baby bump. “The thing is, I think it’s a bit too late for me to back out.”
“I’d agree. It’s too late for that. Didn’t Madeline have a cesarean section with Ruby?”
Araneae nodded. “She did, but the doctor said she could deliver this boy naturally since it’s been so long.”
“Can you imagine having children eighteen years apart?”
Araneae’s hand was still on her midsection. “Right now, I’m having trouble imagining having one child.”
“What about your friend Louisa? She has two children, right?”
“She does, a girl and a boy. Louisa says that no matter what the birth is like, holding the baby makes it all worth it.”
“Sounds like good advice,” I said. “Are you going upstairs anytime soon?” I was asking about the second floor of the penthouse. “I was going to clean up there today. I want to stay busy and since I saw Sparrow leave, I figured this was a good time.”
“I should say that I’ll do it.”
“And then what would I do? Besides, those numbers look boring to me.” I gestured