find myself wondering about how much Blakeley has told those in his staff and his inner circles about what happened to him last night.
I’m trying not to pick up my phone and obsessively scroll when the door opens and a very well-dressed woman walks in with two small children. She’s very clearly a nanny, I was raised by them after my mother’s death and can spot them from a mile away, but she’s very open and affectionate with them both. The toddler in her arms is a boy, giggling and babbling to her, and the little girl at her feet grips her hand tightly with a bright grin.
All of the air in my lungs leaks out of me.
The girl giggles at something Blakeley’s personal assistant says, and Aodhan curses under his breath, focused on the look of shock on my face, but I ignore him, entirely focused on Lips’ niece.
Grimm Graves really did pass his genes on well.
“You wanna tell me who the fuck we’re really here to see before I look like a dumbass in there? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Aodhan murmurs, but there isn’t any real anger in his voice, just concern.
I run a calm hand down the luxurious softness of my cashmere and silk skirt. “You’re here because I trust you and, more importantly, Lips trusts you. There’s some… finer details of her parentage that we can discuss later, but I can’t speak about them unless we’re absolutely sure that no one can overhear.”
He freezes, and I think for a second that he’s actually pissed off at me for not answering him, but when I glance over at him, his eyes are on the door, finally noticing the girl.
There’s no mistaking the relation.
“Holy fucking shit.”
The door to Blakeley’s office opens and he steps out, missing us completely because he only has eyes for his kids. Big brownie points in his favor there, because there’s no mistaking the love between the three of them as he kisses each of the kids on their heads and listens to their excitement to see him.
“I have one meeting left and then I’ll take you out to lunch, Kennedy. Giorgio has reserved us a table; he’s going to make your favorite. Be good for Sue. Carter, you too, be a good boy, and I’ll see you all over there shortly.”
Kennedy and Carter Blakeley.
Fitting.
I knew they existed but seeing them here, seeing this little interaction, it’s changing something. It’s changed the way I’m going to go about this, how hard I’m going to push, and what I’m going to say because… because in our family there are very few good fathers. Harley had one who was murdered for it, and Illi is going to be the best father.
I guess I hold men to that standard.
Their loyalty, their ability to love and protect and covet, and how they treat children. Maybe that’s my line in the sand.
Blakeley turns back to his office and finally spots us sitting there, his back stiffening, a sure sign that he knows at least a little about who he’s meeting with.
“Miss Beaumont, sorry to keep you waiting. Please join me.”
Oh, he definitely knows who I am and doesn’t like me.
I nod with a curt smile and then murmur to Aodhan, “Wait here.”
He gives me a look, but I can’t afford to argue with him right now so I tack on, “I’ll tell you everything when we get back to the Bay. I promise.”
I step into the office, shutting the door behind myself, and Blakeley walks around to the other side of the desk, unbuttoning his jacket before taking a seat. It’s like watching Lips move, or like Nate is sitting there in a suit, and a chill runs down my spine.
How the hell does this man have such strong genes?
“I’d rather not beat around the bush here, Miss Beaumont. Are you here to threaten me?”
I take a seat, impressed as hell at this man. “Not at all. I’m here to offer my assistance. I’m very open to siding with you on your upcoming projects.”
His eyes flick to the door and then back to me. “And what exactly would the daughter of Joseph Beaumont be able to offer me that isn’t blood money? I’ve kept my hands clean this long; I’ll make it on my own without sullying myself.”
Okay, that stings a little but I’ll take it. At least this is all coming from a moral high ground and not just a superiority complex. Thank God Aodhan