THIRTY-FIVE
“ASTRID?” Roxie’s concern matched what she felt. “What happened? Where’s Z?”
“On his way to wait for you in the car downstairs.”
“Car? Where are we going?”
Remaining a little winded, Astrid managed a smile, though there was trepidation behind it. “It’s Lilya.”
“Oh my God, it’s time? Time time?” Roxie’s excitement was more enthusiastic. “Is Jane already—”
“At the hospital? Yes.”
“I knew she’d get there first.” Roxie bounded a step away, then paused to spin on the spot, wide eyes pinned to her. “Honey—”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, broadening a smile. “You go. Go.”
“Want me to call Ballard to kick this asshole out?”
“No, we’ll be fine.”
“Okay, I love you.” Roxie rushed back to hug her and kiss her cheek. “Tripp won’t go far. And you already have Ballard on speed dial. If it’s not him, one of his guys will be around.”
“Now go, you don’t want to miss the main event.”
Roxie rushed out with Astrid, leaving her alone with Baer.
“No one has to kick me out, I’m leaving on my own.”
“It wasn’t me,” she said before he could turn all the way around. “And Roxie’s right, you didn’t know me at all if you thought I was capable of that.” He’d accused her of the same, the other way around. “I don’t know what happened, but I can help you find out, if you want.”
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t want any of it. Take it back.”
“I can’t take it back if I don’t know where it came from. It’s not mine to take back. There must be someone in your life with the means to—”
“If there was someone in my life with those means before you, who’d do this, I wouldn’t be working at Squires, would I?”
Good point. She was the only variable, the only new person, and he was right that she had the means. Her grandfather—
And she almost groaned. The air left her body in a sort of slump. Man, she was slow on the uptake.
Truman. Of course Truman. How did he do it…? Found out things about the people in her life, she’d never asked for details. Yet, somehow, he always did. Hadn’t she warned Baer of that? Shouldn’t they be forearmed?
“It was Truman.”
“Truman?” he asked. “Your grandfather?”
“Didn’t I tell you he always interferes with my romantic relationships?” The question was rhetorical. The only one who’d do this… “God, I’m so sick of this. In the past it was… It never mattered like this…”
Because Kinloch knew what to expect, and other men from her past weren’t as important as this. As him. Baer was the most important one, and, what a surprise, she’d screwed it up.
“Why would he pay off my debts? What does that achieve?”
“Only he can answer that…”
She bounced to her feet and stalled in a wobble, and there Baer was at her side to hold her up. Because he cared, or was it human instinct?
Not so long ago, she’d woken to those eyes admiring her, adoring her, that was his description. He’d wanted to be with her then, he had, it couldn’t have been an act all along. And if he wanted money, why wouldn’t he be pleased that—
“Okay, time to go.”
She hadn’t heard anyone join them, but when Baer stepped aside, Tripp was there with one of Roxie’s security guards at his back.
“Go?” Baer asked.
“Yeah, buddy, you’ve outstayed your welcome. You’ll get your fee—”
“Fuck my fee,” Baer said, putting himself in front of her. “You think I’m leaving her alone with Tripp Breckenridge? She’s been drinking.”
Tripp laughed. “Frey and I have known each other our whole lives—why am I justifying myself to you? If we want to fuck, we’ll fuck. It’s nothing to do with you.”
“Yeah? You think I’ll fucking walk away?”
Two new guys appeared, both security, advancing, with Baer the focus of their intent.
“No one has to fight,” she said, sneaking around him. “There’s nothing to worry about. Tripp doesn’t know how to hurt or pressure a woman, especially me.”
With his jaw tight, Baer stooped closer. “If you think I’m leaving you alone with another guy—”
“What other guy?” she asked. “For there to be an ‘other,’ there has to be a first. You’ve made it perfectly clear you don’t want that role.” Because now with some of the confusion cleared up, her own hurt could manifest. “You were so quick to pin blame on me for overstepping, and you’re doing the same thing now. Tripp is my friend. And didn’t you say I could use other Squires guys?” There were a few in the next room. “You’re free to see your clients, and I’m free to make my choices.”
“Lil’—”
“Don’t make a scene. If these guys have to put their hands on you, the press downstairs will take your picture when they throw you out.”
Which could lead to reports online, to his family seeing him there, to them asking questions and possibly finding out what he did to keep the family afloat.
Still frowning, the glare left her to land on every other guy there. Then with a huff, Baer stalked on out. Security went after him, they wouldn’t hurt him, they’d just make sure he really went.
“You okay?” Tripp asked after her next exhale.
“Truman’s screwing up my life.”
“He wouldn’t know himself if he wasn’t sticking his nose in.”
“I have to confront him,” she said, sinking back onto the bed again. “He screwed everything up.”
“It’s three in the morning, so I’d suggest doing it tomorrow.”
She lay down and closed her eyes. “Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow.”