Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,268

head because my cell phone starts ringing immediately. Running over to grab it, the name flashing only brings another layer of anxiety to my already sinking stomach.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

My phone continues to ring in my hand while Lucy jumps on all fours on the couch tilting her head back and forth at the noise. Silencing the sound, it vibrates on his glass coffee table, Scarlett’s name flashing on the screen in glaring letters.

Once the phone stops, I sit on the edge of the plush couch and stare at it, wondering if she’ll leave a message. Is that where Roarke ran out to? To meet David to conjure up a plan to take everything from Scarlett?

A beep rings out in the now quiet apartment. Baby and Johnny’s mouths move on the screen with no sound.

Picking up my phone, I cross my fingers that Scarlett is going to go on and on about how busy she is with David and the kids.

From the minute I hear her voice I know that’s not the case. It’s shallow and has lost the light, airy tone it usually holds.

“Hey, Han, it’s been forever. I miss you. Definitely need to do lunch. I’ll be in the city next week for a meeting with a lawyer. David filed for divorce, but you probably already know that. I’ll be damned if he gets Brody and Nell. Call me back. I could use some advice from someone who’s been there.”

The line dies and my hand grips the phone tighter.

Is Roarke representing David? God, I hope not, but I clearly heard his assistant saying Mr. Quinton. It would be way too much of a coincidence, especially when you add the ties between David and Todd. Please tell me I’m wrong.

As I see Johnny mouth the classic line about Baby in the corner, I dial Scarlett, my curiosity much too piqued not to find out right away who is representing both of them. Maybe I can actually sway her to meet with Roarke.

“HAN!” she screeches.

I don’t remember being quite so happy when I was getting divorced.

I lean back into Roarke’s overstuffed sofa, Lucy curling up next to me, Nickel leaning his head into mine.

“I just heard your message. I’m sorry, Scar. I didn’t know.”

I can hear the kids behind her.

“Well, he’s just not happy apparently. Wants to return to the bachelor lifestyle.” She’s wishy washy about it and I want to ask about cheating but it’s none of my business. “Hold on, Nell,” she tells her daughter.

“It’s not easy and I can’t imagine with the kids. It has to be even harder.”

“I said no. Don’t do that. Sorry, Han, my nanny is sick with the flu so I’m in charge. It’s bath time. Of course they were silent when I first called you, and I want to do one thing and it’s insane in the membrane.” She laughs and I wonder if she’s been drinking.

“I hate to ask you this, but who is representing David?”

She cackles a laugh. “I know exactly why you’re asking.”

It’s official, I think she’s maybe had one too many glasses of wine or she’s on some happy drugs. My therapist tried to put me on them, too, but I refused. No time like the present to deal with your shit.

“So who is it?” I ask.

“BRODY!” she screams. “Out of the bath. You cannot squirt your sister in the eye.”

I stay on the line knowing I should let her go, but the assistant’s voice rings in my head from the other day.

“I’m sorry Hannah. I guess I don’t overpay my nanny after all.” She laughs again. “As far as David and me, it’s hard. After Brody we still went out most nights—dinners, shows, clubs. Then Nell came and with two kids it’s harder. David still wanted to go out all the time. I couldn’t keep up with his lifestyle. He probably has some slut on the side, but I honestly don’t know. He’s a guy’s guy you know. He still has his condo in the city. You’ll probably see him around.” Another kid says something but she covers the receiver. “Daddy is here tomorrow.” It’s muffled but I still catch the words.

“If you need to talk…”

“Thanks. I was going to reach out to you to talk about representation. You know David, he only wants the best and since he filed I was at a disadvantage.” My heart lurches in my chest. So Roarke probably is representing David. “But I found myself a pretty damn good lawyer, too, and I’m