16. Alistair
ALISTAIR
“Is everyone decent?” I called as I walked through the warehouse to the stylish seating area. The only one I found there was Alfie, scrolling through his emails.
He glanced up at me, grinning. “Hey, boss.”
“Daddy, you’re here!” Kenna cheered, appearing from a doorway in a shimmery pale pink dress with a full skirt and matching handbag. She’d even opted for tiny white gloves.
Alfie had already sent me photos of her, so I’d known what to expect, but it was even more adorable in person.
“I got my makeup done. See?” Kenna held her bangs out of her eyes, blinking at me slowly. Someone had, in fact, dusted her eyelids with a bit of sparkly, age-appropriate eyeshadow.
“You look amazing, sweetheart.”
She tossed herself around my legs, squeezing. “You want some too?”
“Oh, no, Daddy doesn’t wa—” The words completely dried up on my tongue as another door opened and Madison walked into view.
My thoughts went haywire as my gaze raked up and down.
Her hair had been curled and twisted into a fancy updo, showing off an enticing amount of neck.
Smokey eyes stared back at me, cherry lips curling.
Bloody hell.
My eyes dropped further, taking in the silky turquoise gown, appreciating the way it wrapped around every brilliant curve the woman possessed. There was a tasteful slit in the dress, exposing an alluring amount of thigh. I liked that.
A lot.
So much that it was becoming a problem. All I could do was ogle the woman, and I needed to pull myself together before I started to look like an idiot.
Say something, my mind hissed at me. Use your words.
What were words?
“You look incredible,” I rasped, unable to take my eyes off her.
A pink flush disappeared into the dip of her cleavage. I chased it with my eyes like a dog drooling over a bone. “Thank you,” she said. “They’ve put me in, like, four-inch heels, and I’m trying not to fall on my face.”
I chuckled softly. “You did seem taller.”
“It’s so I don’t step on this very expensive fabric,” she said, smoothing her hand down the skirt of the dress. “I see you’ve cleaned up as well.” She nodded to my tux. “That’s new.”
“Had it delivered to the suite while I was at my meetings. Didn’t want to disappoint.”
She reached out, adjusting the collar of my jacket. “You definitely didn’t.”
I held her gaze, staring into those big green eyes, her pupils wide, wondrous. Her tongue darted out, moistening her lips, and I stared at that too. I didn’t want to ever stop.
“Daddy, look at my tights,” Kenna said suddenly, breaking the spell. “They have glitter.”
“Oh, goody,” I muttered. “More glitter.”
Madison’s lips twisted. “At least it’s the hotel’s problem this time.”
My eyebrow arched. Fair point. “Have you two enjoyed your day out?”
“Everyone’s been amazing,” Madison gushed. “Especially Alfie. He’s been a brilliant tour guide.”
“Speaking of,” Alfie called from the couch, tapping his watch. “You three have a reservation to get to.”
“You’ll need these before you go!” Ronnie called, rushing over with fancy outerwear for Madison and Kenna. “To keep the chill off you.”
I took Madison’s long coat and held it out for her to slide her arms into. As soon as it was on, she bent over, helping Kenna with the fancy buttons on her peacoat.
“Guess we’re ready,” I said, offering Madison my arm. She took it, beaming. Kenna rushed ahead, wanting to be the first one in the limo.
“Have a fab time!” Alfie called after us.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” Madison asked as I escorted her out of the warehouse to the car. “Or is this another surprise?”
I was getting the sense that she’d maybe had enough surprises for one day. “It’s a favorite restaurant of mine called Ancoats. They have a private dining room where they’re more than happy to accommodate Kenna. And the chef is a close, personal friend.”
“So he doesn’t mind whipping up some chicken fingers and french fries?” Madison teased.
“Exactly. Though Kenna is usually game to at least try something on the menu. Last time she quite fancied the sea bass. The tasting menu changes weekly, so we’ll have to wait and see what’s in store today.”
I pulled the car door open, Madison and Kenna carefully climbed across the seats to avoid disturbing their outfits, and then we made our way across the city. I offered my arm again once we’d arrived, helping Kenna out first, then Madison.
Together, we walked up the plush purple carpeting to the front entrance where a pair of security guards waited to admit us.
“Oi, Alistair!” a voice called loudly. “Alistair Shaw. Any sign of Jessica?”
My stomach jumped up into my throat, then dropped to my toes. Before we’d even crested the last step, a camera flashed.
Fucking paparazzi!
I blinked, waiting for the spots in my vision to clear, a cold dread icing through my veins. It was quickly replaced by white-hot fury. I whirled in the direction of the voice, stepping in front of Madison and Kenna, prepared to face off against a storm of cameras.
But there was only one guy.
One measly little man. Not a barrage of photographers. Not the crowd of journalists clamoring for a headline I was used to seeing. But that just meant we needed to get the hell out of here before the rest of them turned up.
“Come on, let’s talk,” the guy called, lining me up in his viewfinder again. “Any updates on the stolen money, or are you still dodging questions?”
Security rushed forward before I could say anything, blocking the paparazzo from getting near us, but it was already too late. He’d taken the photos he wanted and gotten a reaction out of me. All I could do now was stay under control and keep from giving him more.
“Sir,” the security guard at the door said, pulling it open and waving us through. “This way, please.”
I ushered the three of us inside the restaurant before any more words could be exchanged or any more photos could be taken. If the paparazzo was desperate to sell my image to some tabloid, then fine. But I wasn’t going to allow Madison or Kenna to be splashed across some sleazy front page.
I rubbed my eyes, standing in the lobby of the restaurant. Christ.
“Are you okay?” Madison asked, catching my forearm. Kenna, who didn’t seem to have noticed anything had happened, skipped away to talk to the hostess.
“Yes,” I stated, voice deliberately calm. “Are you?”
She nodded, those cherry lips twisting. “When I imagined paparazzi, I didn’t think they actually jumped out of the bushes like that. But you sort of rushed us in here like a SWAT team. Was it only one guy?”
“That’s all it takes. One photo. One person,” I said, sharper than I’d meant to. “The bastard is probably on the phone to all his little mates right now. This place will be crawling with cameras by the time we leave.”
Madison blinked, a little taken aback. “Or it’s just one guy with a camera who got a little excited.”
I huffed a humorless laugh. “You don’t get it. You haven’t had your life turned into a headline overnight.”
Madison’s grip on my arm tightened, keeping my frustration at bay. “You’re right. I don’t know what that’s like.”
“You think I’m overreacting?” I growled, not appreciating her pacifying tone, like she was just humoring me.
“No. But I do think you’re preparing for the worst before it’s even happened.
We know he’s out there. We know there might be more when we leave.
So now we can prepare for it. In the meantime, let’s just enjoy dinner.
” She ran her hand down my arm, linking our fingers briefly.
“I really am having a wonderful time so far.”
Don’t let this ruin it, went unsaid. I exhaled, dragging a hand through my hair. She was right. The cameras weren’t permitted inside the restaurant. For now, we were safe. Time to clear my head and focus on what really mattered: making sure Kenna and Madison had the meal of their lives.
I found myself glancing in the direction of the door once more just in case, then I shook off the unease that twisted in my stomach and offered her my arm. “Shall we?”
Madison threaded her arm through mine as I escorted her to our private dining room. Kenna had already dragged her chair over to peruse the tank of tropical fish that ran the length of one wall.
“It’s beautiful in here,” Madison said as I pulled out her chair.
“It is now,” I agreed, and she flushed in my favorite way.
“How were your meetings?” she asked, clearing her throat and unfolding a napkin on her lap.
I unbuttoned my jacket and took my seat. “Informative. A few of my investments are doing better than anticipated, which is always a nice update to receive.”
“Did you take any meetings with new projects?”
“Alfie arranged a couple prospective pitches.”
“Anything intriguing you so far?”
I caught her eye before my gaze dropped. “Only one thing has truly intrigued me today.”
Madison caught her lip between her teeth, picking up her water glass and taking a sip, looking almost grateful as the waiter turned up to bring us our first wine pairing.
My heart flip-flopped in my chest as I watched her sip her wine. A bead of liquid remained on her lip, and I wanted to lean over and lap it up with my tongue. But now was not the time with Kenna flitting about the room.
She bounded back to the table, and I let her crawl into my lap, regaling me with everything they’d done today as we enjoyed course after course.
I paid attention to everything Kenna said, of course, but I also marveled at Madison’s joyful expressions and the little hums she made when she really liked something.
I’d have to take her out again. London had a vast range of culinary delights to explore, and I wanted to give her all those experiences.
Kenna enjoyed her dinner but loved her dessert, which included maybe more chocolate ganache than a four-year-old really needed. But after the busy day, the sugar rush didn’t last long. She was almost asleep in her chair by the time Madison and I finished.
“I think that’s our cue to leave,” I told Madison.