Mr. Mitchell Billionaires' Club Book 2 - Raylin Marks Page 0,78

excitement.

“Sir,” the woman called out to me after Addy came running into my arms. I loved the way this child seemed to admire me. I still had no idea what I’d done to gain her interest in such a way, but it was great.

“Yes,” I answered the woman, taking Addy’s backpack that she’d shoved into my hands.

“I will need your name before I allow the young lady to leave with you.”

“I’m James, or rather, Jim Mitchell. Avery Gilbert should have called ahead informing you I would be picking Addison up in her place tonight?”

“Okay. Yes, Avery called me to notify me. We must take safety measures; I’m sure you understand.”

“I completely understand,” I answered, while I opened the door to the passenger’s seat for Addy.

“Hold up. That car—” she eyed my Aston Martin. “Darn it, I don’t have time for this, but do you at least have a car seat in that? I’m pretty sure it drives itself and turns off the airbags, but it’s illegal to drive a three-year-old in any vehicle without a car seat.”

“Oh, gosh,” Addy said, and I could have sworn she was trying to mock the woman. “He’s okay, Miss Shirley.”

“Addy.” I smiled at her. “Allow me to work this situation out. She is correct.”

Why didn’t I think of the car seat? I thought, trying to come up with the quickest solution to legally drive Addison to her dad’s house.

“I have an extra car seat,” a woman’s voice spoke from the direction of the minivan. “I still haven’t taken it out since Connor grew out of it.”

“I can use it and give it back,” Addy said when the young woman came into sight.

Addison was so much like Avery that it only made my smile broaden in the midst of this sudden chaos. I couldn’t get over how she was so outspoken, commanding and, well, just intriguing.

“This would be a lifesaver. What are the chances of this? Really, thank you,” I said, following the woman to the back of her vehicle.

She smiled back at me. “Do you know how to put it in your car?”

“Not exactly.”

Her chocolate skin glowed and radiated with her humorous expression. I understood why she found this funny too. I looked like a total dumbass.

“Well,” she started after I took the seat she offered, “safety first with children, of course. Always.” She winked while the other woman seemed to collapse in some sort of relief.

I tried to smile at the spectating woman, but that wasn’t breaking through the stress I’d caused her after not being prepared to pick up Addison safely.

She sighed loud enough for me to wonder what I should say to help ease her distress. She eyed my car like it was Satan’s personal vehicle. “Well, I hope her mother knows about this car. It doesn’t seem too child-friendly,” she said, rightfully annoyed.

“Miss Shirley.” Addy planted a hand on her hip and faced the upset women, while I tried to work with the helpful one that was occupied by installing the car seat into my car.

“Yes, Addison.” She tried to smile past her stressful appearance.

Addy kept her sass going. “You’ve met my mommy. You know she’ll yell at Jim if she doesn’t like his car.”

“Well, it’s safety first and—”

“Children first,” I said, feeling like I would have to pass a safety exam next in order to leave with Addison. Hell, this whole thing was turning into a movement that was about to go up against me and this stupid car I’d decided to drive to work today of all days.

“Very good. I need to leave, and you were the last two parents.” The woman, Miss Shirley, finally gave up.

“Okay. Very good,” I responded. “Addison will be driven safely to her mom.”

Shit. I’d closed three, multi-million-dollar investments today, and I dealt with bringing in a new investor to Mitchell and Associates, and yet, here I was, feeling like a total deadbeat who had no idea what the fuck to say. No matter what smile I held, I was still getting an evil eye from Miss Shirley.

“I’ll drive slowly,” I said, waving her off as she sat in her car.

“You’re all set,” the woman who saved my ass said.

“I’ll have Avery return the seat to you,” I answered. “I truly appreciate this help.”

“Just take it slow,” she said with a laugh.

“We’ll be heading out on the 405 and at this hour, that freeway will likely still be a parking lot.” I grinned.

“Traffic on the 405 or not,” she arched a motherly eyebrow