Mr. Mitchell Billionaires' Club Book 2 - Raylin Marks Page 0,58

and he nodded.

“We’ll fix the problem,” he said, then rounded up the herd and left me to speak with Avery.

I looked back at Addy and Avery. “Would you both mind joining me on a field trip?” I asked, trying to make this exciting for Addison. I didn’t even need to. The kid wasn’t frightened of any of us. I loved that fearless nature.

“Where to?” she questioned.

“Addy, don’t be rude. This nice man, who you demolished with your colors, is going to take us down to where your school is.”

“Good.” She sighed. “Your work is really boring, Mom.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” I answered Addy with a smile.

“I’ll join you,” Stefanie interjected. “Again, I’m so sorry about this, Mr. Mitchell.”

“Why are you sorry?” Addison asked before I could dismiss the woman.

“Addison Jane,” Avery scolded her daughter and took her hand. “It’s rude to talk when adults are talking.”

“Ms. Blythe, please stay. Thank you,” I said, before the woman eyed Avery and rushed back toward her office. I nodded toward Avery, then smiled at Addison, “I believe our field trip awaits the three of us.”

“Yes,” Addison’s smile beamed.

Avery and Addison followed me into the elevator, and I hit the button to the lower level, where our daycare and preschool was located.

“How long have you been working for us?” I finally broke the ice of quiet awkwardness.

“A week,” Avery said flatly. “Listen, I don’t need your help.”

“I understand that. However, would you rather Addison work? She’s already informed me it is quite dull, and there’s the whole child-labor law thing.”

Avery narrowed her eyes at me skeptically. “Fine, then. Maybe you can convince those women who run your cute little preschool and daycare to take her. I had no idea there would be a problem.”

“Her records were turned in, correct?” I asked.

“Of course, I brought all of that. I’m not a fu—” She stopped herself, and I smiled, knowing the woman cussed like a goddamn sailor. “I brought everything required.”

“Then let’s find out why this super-smart little young lady isn’t in preschool.”

“I needed ‘sperience,” Addison spoke up. “Mommy said that’s how I get in.”

“Ah,” I pointed toward her magazine. “Looks like you gained enough experience.” I looked at Avery, hoping I grabbed the right word for Addison’s excuse for not being in preschool. “You colored my face out like a champion.” I laughed.

Addison giggled, and it was the sweetest sound. “I’m sorry, Mitch,” she said. “Your face looked mean. Ya know?”

“I need to work on that, don’t I?”

“Yes,” Addy said. “You look pretty right now.”

“I’m smiling,” I responded.

“Smiling is pretty.”

“It most certainly is,” I answered.

After the elevator opened, we were soon around the corner where our Children’s Center was located. When I walked in, Janice Spokes and her intern turned three shades of pink. Her eyes drifted from mine down to Addison, then Avery. That’s when I felt Addison clutch my hand. I was shocked at the gesture, but then livid that the little girl would think to hold onto my hand in the first place. Was she scared of these two? What did they do to make her reach for my hand?

“Addy,” Avery whispered, “come stand with Mommy.”

I gave Addy a reassuring smile. “I’ll take care of this.” I knelt to where Addy stood quietly at Avery’s side. “Should I use my smiling face or the face you scribbled on in your book?” I inquired when I saw her serious expression wasn’t wavering.

“Scribble face,” Addy answered and then looked at the two women who had plastered smiles on their questioning expressions.

I rose and turned to the women. Their faces were curious and confused, as well as they should be. “Ms. Spokes and Ms. King,” I said. “Did Miss…”

Son of a bitch, I forgot Avery’s last name.

“Miss Gilbert,” Avery said.

“Yes, thank you. Did Miss Gilbert have any difficulty with her daughter’s paperwork today?”

“No, Mr. Mitchell.”

I looked at Addison. “It appears the children are having snack time. Would you like to join them?” I glanced to Avery. “Any food allergies?”

“None,” she said. “Though she eats like her mother does.”

I smiled, but Avery remained indifferent. “There’s plenty of food. Try not to spoil your dinner, though,” I said.

If I hadn’t turned and knelt back down to reach Addison’s eye level, I would have never had the smell of coconut and berries hit all of my senses after she hugged me. I patted her back. “Better hurry.”

Addison scurried off, and I stood to bring my full attention back to the women. “While the aides assist the kids, I