Happily Ever All-Star: A Secret Baby Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,306

for a while now,” he said.”

“Yes, I’m sorry. It was me. I used the eight hundred millimeter lens.” I hoped admitting that I touched a twenty-thousand-dollar piece of equipment would distract him. “But I got a really nice picture of Lachlan.”

“Clothes on, I hope.”

I cleared my throat. “All rated G.”

“Good. But that wasn’t what I needed to speak to you about.”

Moment of truth. At least I could handle a bit of pressure. My whole childhood had been a series of secrets and trouble, blown curfews and forbidden friendships hidden from my father. If I couldn’t bluff my way through this, then I’d have nothing to show for a broken family.

“Have you noticed anything missing from our office?” Peter asked.

I swallowed, resisting the urge to glance towards the relative comfort of the field. “Missing? Not that I know of.”

“Nothing of yours was moved? No equipment stolen?”

“Stolen?”

“Well, misplaced.”

Big difference.

My heart thudded a little too hard, and I blinked too fast, like I chased away the spots from a bright flash. He didn’t notice.

Was it better to lie? Pretend like something of mine was taken?

No. That would only open up more allegations. Nothing good would come from the team investigating a theft, especially if they placed me at the facility the day I saved Lachlan from the car. I’d lied that I was home sick with a stomach bug, and so far, no one had questioned it.

“Nope,” I said. “Everything’s accounted for.”

“Strange.” He rubbed a hand through his trimmed beard. “Well, keep an eye out, Elle. Don’t leave your gear unsupervised.”

“Gotcha.”

I smiled and headed back to the field. That hadn’t been so bad.

But Peter wasn’t done.

“Elle, one other thing.”

Damn it. I turned. “Yep?”

“I was wondering…it might be time to give you a few more responsibilities in the office.”

Uh-oh.

“Absolutely. What did you need?” Was I talking too quickly? “I took some great shots of the defense the other day…before the vomiting. We could do something fun with those.”

“Well, actually. I had a different job for you. Something more important.”

Once, I might have loved hearing that. Now my stomach pitted.

Why couldn’t I deal with something simpler. Maybe an annulment to a drunken marriage?

Peter still hadn’t raised his voice, despite the good news of an apparent promotion. “This would be a different set of duties. Something…outside your contract. But you would be compensated for it. Heavily.”

I’m sure I would be. What sort of crime would we commit without a hefty bribe to make it all the more nefarious?

“I don’t need the money.” The hairs on my neck prickled. “Happy to help.”

“Nonsense. This calls for a raise. More responsibilities. More trust.”

I silently swore. “Great.”

“I need you to go on a little road trip. And you’re the only one I can count on for this job.”

That’s what I was afraid of. I bought myself some time and straighten the strap on my camera bag.

“Like…with the team?” I grinned. “Can I finally go to the London game with the guys?”

“Do this well, and you can go anywhere you like, whenever you like.” He paused. “But I need you to go solo somewhere first. Down south. To Gainesville.”

“Gainesville?” I laughed, a little too eagerly. “If I’m heading to Florida, can’t it be Miami or Key West?”

“I need you to visit the Cougar’s training camp.”

And there it was.

I wished it had shocked me more, that the affirmation of my worst fears wasn’t accompanied with his pleasant smile.

“Why would I go to the Cougar’s camp?”

I’d make him say it. Maybe if he heard it spoken out loud, he’d realize how horrible the implication truly was.

“Same reason you’re here,” he said. “I need you to take a few pictures.”

“Of the Cougars?”

“Of the Cougars. See how they’re training. What plays they’re running with Zane de la Cruz. Just head down there. Sit in with the fans. Maybe stick around if you can, get a couple other pictures.”

Did he honestly think the Rivets needed help to contain Zane de le Cruz? Sure, he was one of the league’s best rushers, but we’d signed Cole Hawthorne. We wouldn’t have any trouble shutting down another offense without any illegal pictures of their game plan.

This was it. I lowered my voice, but I stared him straight in the eyes.

He didn’t blink.

“You want me to cheat for the Rivets,” I said.

“It’s not cheating. It’s just a couple pictures.”

“Pictures that would give us an edge over the Cougars.”

“Elle, everyone does it. Every team has their little games they play with each other. Some coaches scout injury reports. Other will mess