“Ellery, hand Julia over to Mason so we can leave,” Connor said.

A wide smile spread across Mason’s face. “Give me the little princess, Ellery.”

I suddenly became nervous. I didn’t want to leave her again, but then the thought of her screaming her head off during the meeting frightened me. I kissed her on the head and handed her over to Mason, who was standing there with his arms out.

“Don’t worry, Momma; she’ll be safe with me,” Mason said.

I smiled and followed Connor to the elevator. I stopped, turned around, and looked at Mason.

“How did you get Julia to stop fussing?” I asked.

“The gas drops in the diaper bag, Elle.”

“Ah, so that’s what that little white bottle was for,” I said as I stepped in and the doors closed.

Denny was on the other side of town, so Connor drove the Range Rover to the office. Before we reached the building, he called his secretary, Valerie, to send someone down to park it. He pulled up to the curb, walked around, and opened my door. He grabbed my hand as we walked into the building and took the elevator up to the top floor where Connor’s office was. As we stepped off the elevator, I could see the women looking up from behind their cubicles at my husband. I could see the look and hunger in their eyes when he walked by. I proudly held my head up and smiled as I said, “Good afternoon, ladies.” Connor looked over at me and smiled.

When we reached his office, Lou and another gentleman were already sitting down and waiting. Phil came in behind us.

“Lou, thanks for meeting me,” Connor said as he shook his hand.

“Connor, I want you to meet Ben. He just joined the firm.”

As Connor shook Ben’s hand, Lou leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

“It’s good to see you, Ellery.” He smiled.

I took a seat in between Lou and Ben as Connor walked around and sat behind his desk. Lou folded his hands.

“I’m not going to lie to you, Connor. This could get very ugly. I’ve decided we’re going after her personally for the Chicago fire. I know you didn’t want to do it, but if she wants to claim that she was temporarily insane because of the mental stress you put her through, then we’ll fight back. I’ve already alerted the district attorney’s office that we’re proceeding with this.”

“Damn it, Lou. That’s not even an option,” Connor snapped.

“We have no choice, Connor. Ashlyn is forcing your hand on this. She’s going to make sure you go down with her.”

Connor stood up, put his hands in his pockets, and turned towards the window. “This is bullshit, Lou. I need you to make this go away,” he said.

I sat there in silence as I listened to the conversation between Connor and Lou. I could tell Connor was worried, although he’d never admit it. My phone chimed and, as I pulled it from my purse, I noticed a text message from Mason.

“I’m in love with your little princess.”

I smiled, and Connor asked me if everything was okay. I nodded my head and then watched him glare at Ben. I noticed he did that quite a bit since we sat down. Lou got up from his seat and told Connor that he’d get back with him in a couple of days. As Phil walked Lou and Ben out of the office, Connor called Ben back. He turned around and started walking towards Connor. I stood up from my chair because I didn’t like the look on Connor’s face.

“Do you find my wife attractive?” he asked.

I gasped as my eyes widened. “Connor!” I exclaimed.

“Well, do you? Answer the damn question,” he said firmly.

“Um, yes, Mr. Black,” Ben answered nervously.

“Then that explains why you’ve been staring at her.”

“Connor, that’s enough!” I snapped at him.

Ben looked at me and apologized. “I’m really sorry for staring, but I feel like we’ve met before.” Suddenly, it must have hit him. “I know; you were Kyle’s girlfriend back in college.”

I looked at him, trying to figure out who he was, and then it came to me. “Ben? As in Ben Winston, Debate Club President and tech geek extraordinaire?”

“Yep, that’s me!” He laughed. “I knew you looked familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.”

Just as I gave him a hug and Connor gave me a dirty look, Cassidy walked in.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you were alone, Connor,” she said.

“It’s okay, Cassidy. Come on in,” he said.

Cassidy walked over to me and gave me a hug. “Where’s my niece?”

“She’s at home with Mason. I would like you to meet Ben Winston. Ben, this is my sister-in-law, Cassidy.”

They lightly shook hands as I turned and looked at Connor. “You owe Ben an apology.”

“For what?” he asked.

“You know for what, Connor. That was rude and uncalled for.”

Connor took in a sharp breath and shook his head. “Ben, I apologize for being rude.”

“It’s okay, Mr. Black. If some dude was staring at my beautiful wife or girlfriend, I’d be upset too. Well, it was nice seeing you again, Ellery, and nice to meet you, Cassidy. Mr. Black, we’ll be in touch in a couple of days,” Ben said as he started to walk out of the office.

“Hold on. I’m leaving too. I’ll walk out with you.” Cassidy smiled.

“But, Cass—”

I walked over to Connor and put my hand over his mouth. “She thinks he’s hot. Let her go.”

“Seriously?” he mumbled.

I removed my hand from his mouth and kissed him softly. “Leave your sister alone.”

“I didn’t say anything,” he said.

“Not yet you didn’t. But you have that look.”

Connor looked at his watch. “Let’s get the hell out of here.” He smiled as he put his arm around me.

Chapter 12 Connor

We both climbed into the Range Rover, and I sat there with my hands on the wheel. I looked over at Ellery as she looked at herself in a small mirror. When she stopped looking at herself, she turned her eyes to me.

“What?” she asked.

“I can’t believe what Cassidy did in there.”

“Why? She saw a hot guy and she took advantage of the situation.”

“Oh, so you think he’s hot?”

“Yeah, he’s cute,” Ellery replied as she put on her lipstick.

“I bet you thought he was hot back in college too,” I said as I pulled out of the parking space.

“Are you jealous because I said he was hot, Mr. Black?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not jealous.”

“Yes, you are. I can tell by that look on your face.” She smiled.

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

“Okay, babe, but there’s no need for you to be jealous. You know I think you’re the sexiest man alive,” she said as she stroked my cheek and gave me a small smile.

I smiled and we drove home. Ellery became impatient with the traffic because she wanted to get back to Julia. We didn’t talk about the meeting, but I could tell Ellery was upset about it. I didn’t want her involved in this at all. If I had my way, she wouldn’t know anything. I only wanted to protect me and shield her from this bullshit. She didn’t deserve to have to go through this because of my past mistakes and poor judgment.

When we arrived at the penthouse and the elevator doors opened, Ellery threw her purse on the table and walked into the living room. Mason was sitting on the floor and had Julia under her play gym. I walked over to the bar and poured myself a scotch. I pulled out my phone and sent a text message to Cassidy.

“Why did you need to see me earlier?”

“I wanted your opinion on a color for the office I’m redoing.”

“Then you should have stuck around instead of chasing after that guy.”

“Lol, Connor. Tell Ellery I’ll call her later. Bye.”

I shook my head and set my phone down on the bar. I stared across the room at Ellery as she sat on the floor and played with Julia. She looked up at me with her beautiful eyes and a small smile graced her face. Mason got up from the floor and said that he needed to go. He picked Julia up, kissed her, and then kissed Ellery goodbye. I gave him a simple wave from across the room and told him to take care. When he left, Ellery came walking over to me with Julia. I took the baby from her, kissed her head, and held her in my arms.