Nineteen #2
“Continue to log her visits—arrival and departure times. Your texts with Trixie will help. Keep everything clean. No commentary about Willow. Assume every message could end up read in court.”
Jim and Bash both nod in agreement.
“What about social media?” Colleen asks.
“We’re already archiving screenshots of everything she posts and gets tagged in,” Bash replies.
“Perfect. Keep me posted. And gentlemen, try to enjoy the rest of your day.”
The line goes dead.
Jim leans back in his chair, ankle resting on one knee. “I was going to warn you this was coming.”
“She’s panicking,” I say. “She tried to seduce me, but my heart’s with someone else. It didn’t work, and Amelia isn’t making it any easier.”
“Todd and Jessica are on it,” Bash adds. “It’s unlikely—but we can’t risk her taking off with Amelia.”
“Agreed,” I say immediately.
Bash’s phone rings and he steps out, and Jim studies me.
“You okay?”
I exhale. “I will be.”
The door opens, and Dante walks in. “You’re back. You just missed Ellory and Antoine.”
Damn. I look down, disappointed. Every moment I’m stuck dealing with Willow is a moment I lose with Ellory. I just need to know she’s willing to wait while I get through this.
“They moved the meeting here,” Dante adds, grinning. “It went incredibly well. They’ve agreed to purchase our entire inventory—except for the tool grade and that will continue to be sold as is.”
I blink. “All of it?”
He nods. “All of it.”
I rise and pull him into a quick hug. “Everything’s coming together. Just like we planned.”
We’re still riding the high when Bash returns. He tells me everything is set at the Celeste.
I quickly dial Trixie and give her the update.
Trixie huffs. “She barely wants to spend time with Amelia. I doubt that’ll change.”
“I know. Still,—I need you to keep logging her comings and goings. Keep the texts professional. Assume we’ll need them in court.”
“Understood. Anything else?”
“I should be home by five.”
In the background, I hear the house phone ring.
“That might be her,” she whispers.
“Try to keep the day as normal as possible.”
“Got it. See you soon.”
I hang up and turn to Dante. “Eventful day.”
Jim rises. “We’ll let you two catch up. Call if you need anything.”
I shake his hand. “Thanks, Jim.”
Bash pats my shoulder on his way out. “We’ve got you.”
They leave just as Luca and Ciro walk in. Dante heads to the bar and pours four glasses of Blue Label.
We’re all worn thin. Strung out on strategy and caffeine. The whiskey isn’t celebration. It’s armor. It’s not even five o’clock.
We settle onto the couches. All three of them are watching me.
Dante leans forward. “What happened?”
After updating my brothers, they eventually drifted back to their own offices, leaving me alone again. And honestly? I’ve been useless ever since.
Two days in a row, and I’ve done nothing for Luster. Emails unanswered, meetings rescheduled, momentum lost. I keep telling myself this storm, this legal circus Colleen warned me about, won’t last forever. That I’ll push through.
But right now, I feel stuck in the eye of it.
Ellory pops into my mind. I’m still disappointed I missed her earlier.
Me: Hey. Sorry I missed you today.
Ellory: We ended up meeting at your offices. There’s a whole story behind it.
Me: I’ve got one for you too. Any interest in coming over tonight for dinner?
Ellory: When were you thinking?
Me: Heading home now to spend time with Amelia. You’re welcome anytime. Hang out with us or come by after she goes down around seven.
Ellory: I might miss bedtime. That okay?
Me: I’d love to have you all to myself. I’ll order in. Any cravings?
Ellory: Do you like seafood?
Me: Love it. How does shrimp and scallop scampi sound?
Ellory: Out of this world. See you soon.
Just like that, the tension wrapped around my chest eases a little. Knowing I’ll see her tonight is the first thing that’s felt right all day.
I knock out a few emergency emails before heading out.
On the drive home, I skim the latest update from Jim’s team that was sent to Colleen.
Willow’s hotel suite is trashed—again. There is a man who has moved in with her.
I don’t care personally, but until we know who he is, I don’t want him anywhere near Amelia.
Bash called earlier. She hit my card again. Another five-thousand-dollar cash advance.
I hate how manipulated I feel, how powerless. But Colleen insists letting her spiral will only strengthen our case. I have to trust the process.
Still, at this rate, Jim is projecting the hotel bill will be nearing two hundred grand in ten days. Sixty grand in cash, gone without a trace. If I wanted to, I could hold the Fairmont accountable for letting it happen. But for now, I keep that card tucked away. Just in case.
As we pull up to my building, I glance toward the Fairmont. Whatever chaos she caused today, I’ll know by morning.
The elevator doors open, and the hush of home settles around me.
“Daddy’s home,” I call out.
For the last hour, I’ve been drowning in legalese and worst-case scenarios. But the second I step inside, all I want is her laugh.
Then I hear it, the soft slap of tiny feet. Giggles echo off the walls.
Trixie is standing just outside the nursery. “She heard the elevator,” she says, grinning as she watches my whirling dervish come running to me.
Amelia barrels toward me in a blur of curls and laughter, launching herself into my arms. Her kisses are wet and sticky, and I couldn’t care less. I lift her high overhead and spin her gently, her joy infectious.
“Did you have a good day?” I ask, tickling her belly.
She giggles uncontrollably, then wiggles out of my arms and takes off down the hall like a tiny hurricane.
“I think that’s your cue,” Trixie says, amused.
I toe off my shoes, drop my bag, and jog after her. “I’m coming to get you!”
More squeals.
We loop into the living room, where a woman watches from the kitchen with a warm smile.
“Oh, I forgot you were here.” I extend a hand. “Matteo Marino.”
She stands. “Jessica Brandt. Wonderful to meet you.”
“Are you and your husband settling in okay?”
“We are. Amelia loves to follow him around like a shadow. I made dinner for Trixie and Amelia. Would you like me to throw something together for you as well?”
“Thanks, but I’ve ordered in tonight. A friend’s coming over. Shrimp and scallop scampi from Bertoni’s.”
Her eyes light up. “Excellent choice. Best seafood in the city.”
She smiles, professional but kind. “I’ll put together a menu for the rest of the week. Anything you absolutely won’t eat?”
I think for a second. “Beets, liver, sea urchin, and durian.”
Jessica laughs. “That leaves me plenty of options.” She wipes the counter and then adds, “Todd’s getting the car serviced. He’ll come through the back entrance later,” she adds.
Right. The private staff entrance. I’d forgotten.
“You in for the night?” she asks.
I glance toward the kitchen, where Trixie is now cutting up strawberries for Amelia.
“I am,” I say. “I don’t know if she’s going to stay. I appreciate you being here—for Amelia and Trixie.”
Jessica straightens slightly, slipping back into professional mode. “We’ve been instructed to handle your transportation to and from the office and to remain on-site for Amelia and Trixie. Someone from Clear will meet you at your office entrance each morning.”
I sigh. “I’ll talk to Jim. That feels like overkill.”
She nods politely and disappears down the hallway.
Before I can exhale, Amelia barrels toward me again, crashing into my legs with all the energy of a toddler high on life.
Someone definitely had a good day.