Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Gigi
At some point, I burned myself out of worry and fell asleep.
I only wake when I hear the door to my apartment close.
Jolting awake, I sit up. What time is it?
I look at the clock, blinking in complete confusion for one second before absolute panic sets in. “Emma!” I gasp, jumping from the bed and stumbling to the side.
“Hi, Mama,” she calls from the living room. “Rush picked me up early!”
I blink stumbling into the door to find Emma bopping over to Birdie’s cage while Rush walks across the room, a pink backpack adorning his Armani suit.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he says as he clicks the lock into place. “But I didn’t want you to have to go downstairs—” he turns toward me, “you’re still in your skirt.”
I look down at my crumpled blouse. “Fell asleep.”
“Have you eaten?” And that’s when I notice the takeout bags in his hand. Our building is attached via skybridge to a shopping and apartment complex next door. There are restaurants and even a small grocery store located on the first three floors.
I can see from the bag he’s holding in his left hand that he’s gone to the Thai place with an amazing soup selection. My mouth waters.
I threw up my breakfast and I skipped lunch. “You brought dinner?”
“Sure did. Are you up for eating it?”
I blink back my confusion. In the office, he’s still Big Bad Bossman, but in my apartment…
It’s great and all, but honestly, a little confusing. “I am.”
“Good.” He gives me a warm smile. “Want to change while I set everything out?”
I nod and then turn back to my room, grabbing clothes before I head into the bathroom. I step into the shower, washing up, and then climb out and brush my teeth and hair before I dress in comfortable clothes.
I find Emma already eating her dinner, chicken noodle soup, while Rush sits at the table with her, waiting for me.
“Guess what?” she asks.
“What M&M?” My chest aches at her enthusiasm. She seems more comfortable every day and today, I had that feeling that this house of cards I tried to build is about to fall. How long can I hide here?
Rush and Vigo are part of the same world. It might be time for me to leave and go far, far away.
“Birdie’s eating. And Rush says that Killian might come visit tonight.”
I look at Rush, trying to hide the real worry in my eyes. He gives me a long look before he speaks, “If that’s all right.”
“Of course.” I give him my best smile, before I pry open the lid to my soup container. It smells amazing. Getting up, I retrieve a few bowls, setting one down for each of us. Then I spoon some of the soup from my container into the bowl.
“How are you feeling?” he asks, the back of his fingers brushing over my cheek.
“Better. Hungry.” I look at him before I look down again. “Thank you for asking.”
“Do you need to take tomorrow off?”
“No,” I shake my head. “I should be fine.” I take a bite of my soup, the chicken broth soothing my sore throat and infusing me with some energy.
Rush’s hand comes to my leg as we both eat, silence falling around the table.
I look at him through my lashes wondering what comes next. Is Vigo going to be a frequent visitor here? Should I tell Rush the truth? Run before anyone connects me to Vigo?
A knock sounds at the door. I start to rise, but Rush puts pressure on my leg, getting up to answer it himself.
He opens the door, stepping inside as Emma lets out a cry of joy. “Uncle Lian!”
Killian told me he’d help me. Does that offer still stand?
“Hey, M&M. How’s Birdie?” he asks, even as she runs up to take his hand, pulling him toward the cage.
“I saw Birdie eat today,” she repeats. “I think he’s getting better.”
Killian sits on the floor, looking into the cage with Emma, as Rush returns to the table with me so we can finish our dinner.
“The soup is very good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he says as he runs his hand down my arm. “You sure you’re feeling all right? You don’t seem like yourself.”
I shrug, glancing away. “I’m fine, just recovering. How was your day?” I pause for one second. “How was the meeting with Mr. Sinclair?”
“You can call him Vigo,” Rush rumbles, but I hear Emma gasp, her eyes swinging to me, wide with fear.
“How did it go?” I ask, as she comes over to me, climbing into my lap. I know she recognizes the name. I shouldn’t have asked except I’m anxious to assess the risk and decide what to do next. The food has infused me with some energy but now I’m just worried.
“It went fine,” Rush gives me a thin smile.
“New business partner?” I ask, my breath catching.
“Definitely not,” Rush answers and I see the way his eyes go hard around the edges.
Relief makes me heavy as I sink into my chair, kissing Emma’s head. Behind me, Killian clears his throat.
“Want to see what I brought for you, Emma?” Killian asks, opening his jacket and pulling out two new doll outfits from their folds.
They hang on little cardboard hangers, pressed and pretty.
One is pink and the other purple. The very idea of Killian, all in black, covered in tattoos, entering the American Girl store, has my mouth open and then a small giggle falls from my lips.
“Yay,” Emma cries, climbing down from my lap again.
But watching Emma’s happiness only reminds me of how temporary our situation always was and continues to be. I let out a long breath of air. I should have known that anywhere in New York would be a short-term strategy, even here at Smith Brothers.
I might need a new plan, but at least it doesn’t seem like Vigo will be back to the building anytime soon.
I pick up my spoon and start eating again. For the moment, I can relax and plan.
But as I look at Rush through my lashes, I know this is temporary. He’s building a New York empire and New York is the last place I should be. Vigo proved that today.
Killian stays for another half hour and then says his goodbyes. He gives me a long look before he goes, but I can’t read his expression and have no idea what he’s thinking.
I give Emma a bath and get her ready for bed as Rush works on my couch. It’s peaceful and homey and I ache a little.
No man has ever made me feel this excited and safe at the same time, and I doubt another will.
The idea of confessing everything crosses my mind again. But if I tell him, and he doesn’t like what he hears, I’m at an even greater risk.
He could fire me. Kick me out of his life. And every person who knows the truth of who I am is one more person who might out me to Vigo.
But would Rush really do that?
My gut says no.
But my head…my head worries about what happens if my gut is wrong.
I put Emma to bed, settling next to Rush on the couch. I silently wait for him to finish whatever tasks he’s working on, not wanting to interrupt his flow.
But his hand leaves the keyboard, his fingers wrapping around my thigh as he pulls me closer. “I missed you today.”
And then he leans in and kisses me. I sigh into his mouth, so ready to have my skin on his, to be surrounded by all things…him. “I missed you too.”
He sets his laptop on one of the end tables and then grabs my hips, lifting me into his lap. I wind my arms around his neck.
He deepens the kiss, his tongue swiping against mine, his arms around me in a tight grip. It’s the best I’ve felt all day.
He finally breaks the kiss leaning back. “Gigi.”
There is some warning in his tone that has me stiffening. “Yes?”
“About Vigo…”
A wave of fear washes down me. “What about him?”
“I didn’t want to say too much in front of Emma, but I threw down today, and Vigo made some real threats. I know you don’t venture far, but could you and Emma stay in the building for a little while?”
I go limp. He doesn’t need to ask twice. “Not even a question. Of course.”
“Excellent.” He kisses me again. “I know you’ve never even met him, but you’re close enough to me…”
I don’t even hear the rest. The lie I’ve been telling sits heavy in my gut and for the first time I wonder if I’m putting Rush in danger either because I’m here or because I haven’t armed him with the proper information. “I’ll be careful. You be careful too, all right?”
Inwardly, I add, because I don’t know what I’d do without you .
Which is so dangerous.
“You are not to worry about me,” he rumbles against my lips. “It’s my job to worry about you.”
I hold his face, drawing in a trembling breath. He can’t help me if he doesn’t have some facts. I turn my face from his, as I sink deeper into his lap. “I have something that I need to tell you.”