Chapter 55
“ I ’m heading out now,” Indie said, popping her head into Slade’s office. “Oops, sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”
The man across the desk from Slade stood.
“Hardly company.” He smiled and walked over to her. “I’m Alaistair, remember?”
“Yes, of course. We met at the club.” She smiled and held out her hand to shake his. “And apparently, years ago.”
Hmm. His palms were a bit sweaty.
“I heard congratulations are in order,” Alaistair said.
She tilted her head to the side. “What do you mean?”
Was he talking about the baby?
At close to twenty-six weeks, she still wasn’t due for a while yet. But there was no other reason to congratulate her.
Right?
“On Billy’s death.”
“Jesus, Alaistair,” Slade said, getting up and walking over to her. “That’s not the sort of thing you say.”
“Oh. My apologies.” Alaistair bowed low. “I merely thought you might be feeling safer and happier with him gone. ”
“I am. It’s just weird getting used to him being gone.” To the threat no longer hanging over her head.
Over a week had passed since Quaid had let them know he’d found Billy dead and she’d been plagued nightmares since. She wasn’t sure why. His death just seemed to have stirred up old memories.
Slade had started talking to her about a therapist again and this time she was seriously considering it.
She’d grown more . . . jumpy. Yesterday, Rock had walked into the room and she hadn’t seen him until she’d turned. She’d screamed so loudly that Slade had come running, panicked that she’d gone into labor.
So she thought that maybe she needed to gain back some independence. Perhaps if she did some normal things, she might feel better. She might actually start to believe that he was dead and that she was safe.
The threat of Billy had been there so long that it was hard to believe it was over.
“I still think that I should go with you,” Slade said.
“We’ve had this argument. I’ll be with Margo and Lemon the whole time. Billy is no longer a threat. My ribs are all good. And I want to do some Christmas shopping for you all so you can’t come with me.”
“You’ll use my driver,” Slade ordered.
“Yes, the girls are coming here and we’ll use your driver to get around.”
“You’re going Christmas shopping?” Alaistair asked.
“Yes, and to lunch.” She gave him a small smile. That comment about Billy still felt . . . off.
“Nice. Where are you going to lunch?” he asked.
“Um, I think Margo knows a good pub. The Last Buck?” she said.
“Oh, I’ve been there. It’s really good. The fish and chips are excellent. ”
“That’s good,” she replied, trying to be friendly. “Well, they’ll be here soon.”
“I will be checking in each half hour and you will reply,” Slade told her firmly. “You stay with Margo. And if you feel sick or sore, call me.”
“Yes, boss!”
Spencer was at work while Rock was . . . somewhere. Maybe at the gym? So only Slade was home.
Since Quaid hadn’t returned yet.
She pushed that thought aside.
“Must be a relief to be able to leave the penthouse safely,” Alaistair said. “These guys wouldn’t let you out of their sight, I’m sure.”
“They haven’t been. It does feel surreal.”
“You know, I think I remember Billy from school,” Alaistair said. “Scrawny guy. Don’t think he had any brothers, did he?”
“No siblings and his parents passed away a couple of years ago,” she said.
What was going to happen to his belongings? She hadn’t thought of that.
Not your problem.
“Hello! We’re here!” Margo yelled.
Slade sighed. “How does she keep getting in here? I told her that she can’t just walk in unannounced.”
Indie grinned but walked into the hallway, nearly bumping into Liliana. The young cleaner was always so jumpy and nervous. But she seemed sweet.
“Hi, Liliana,” she said. “How are you?”
“I’m good,” she whispered, unable to meet her eyes before she rushed away.
“There you are!” Margo cried. “Let’s go.”
“Margo,” Slade said, walking out of the office after her. “There are rules.”
“Rules-schmules,” Margo said, waving her hand in the air before taking hold of Indie’s hand and leading her to the front door where Lemon was hovering, looking nervous .
“Margo,” Slade said warningly.
“Oh, don’t worry so much, Archie,” Margo replied. “I’ll get her back safe and sound. I promise.”
“Archie?” she asked.
“Childhood nickname,” Margo explained. “He hates it. But it’s all right, he needs his feathers ruffled now and then. It’s good for him. Right, let’s go shopping then to lunch, girls!”