Casanova(10)

“I knew you wouldn’t.”

“Carry on.” What? I was curious by nature.

“Pops said he needed to clean up his act or be cut off.” Camille bit her lower lip, sucking it right into her mouth.

My eyes widened. “No!”

I couldn’t imagine Henrick Walker saying that. Just—no. It didn’t seem to work.

“Yes.” She swirled her straw in her drink. “Apparently part of the act is a public pushing of his new persona. Which means somebody needs to make him out to be a good guy when he’s...”

“Not?” I asked bluntly.

She scratched beneath her ear. “He’s not a bad guy. You know that.”

Ha. No, I didn’t.

“He’s just...struggled. He went through college with issue after issue, and the last couple years have been hell. Actually, it started not long after you left.” She frowned. “Maybe he took it hard. I don’t know.”

“Oh no.” I put my finger in her face and waved it side to side. “You are not blaming me for the fact your brother is a royal fucktard. He was that before I left, believe me. I know that for a fact.”

“I’m not saying you’re to blame. But I know there’s more to that story.”

“And that story will stay unwritten.”

She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Look—what if I speak to Dad and we can have you write the articles on Brett without seeing him?”

“Sure,” I said flatly. “While you do that, I’m going ask Edward Scissorhands to scoop the eggs out of my ovaries.”

“Come on, Lani.” She leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. “We could do that and my family is desperate enough that they’d pay you a ton of money. Enough that you could stay here with Connie until after the baby’s born.”

“That’s unfair.”

“That’s real,” she corrected me. “Please? Let me ask.”

I was going to regret this, but she’d swayed me a little with her line about Connie. I did want to be here for my sister. If I could do this, make money, and avoid Brett...well, it was a naive thought. We’d cross paths sooner or later. But I liked the thought enough to risk it.

Maybe...

“Ask,” I said firmly. “But I’m not agreeing to anything until I’ve spoken to your dad.”

Camille’s mouth broke out into a wide smile. “You got it.”





I think it’s pretty obvious how I ended up outside the Walker household the next day. I’d somehow managed a full night of sleep, but there I was at ten a.m., outside of the Walker House, waiting for someone to open the door.

I’d lost my mind. It was the only explanation for why I was where I was.

William Walker was happy for me to do the articles on his son, and he was willing to pay me a bucket load of money.

I was here for the money. That, and my sister had told me that if I didn’t agree to the assignment, she’d put me at the vagina end during her labor.

I knocked once more.

“Rose, please answer the door! I’m on the phone!” A woman—Mae Walker—shouted from somewhere inside.

Seconds later, the door opened, and I came face-to-face with who I assumed was a very harried-looking Rose. Whoever she was. “Miss Montana?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I smiled. “That’s me.”

“Come in. Mr. Walker is speaking with his father and then he’ll be ready to see you.” She hurried me inside, shut the door, and then led me down a long hall to where a door was closed at the end. She knocked lightly twice and turned to me. “He knows you’re here. Sorry I don’t have a seat for you.”

“Oh, no. I’m fine standing. Thank you.” I smiled again and clasped my hands in front of me.

She nodded, bowing her head slightly at the end, and scurried off back toward...wherever she came from.

I leaned back against the wall and looked down at the flawlessly shined, redwood floor. I could see my reflection in it. Granted, it was warped, but it was still visible.

I’d forgotten how gorgeous this place was. I’d only walked a few paces really, but it was just as understated as it always was. Sure, it was huge, but the walls were covered with pictures of the family through the ages. Some were even in black in white from eras gone by. It only added character to an already alive building.

“Lani!” Mae Walker walked down the hall toward me, arms spread out. Her dark hair tumbled around her shoulders and onto her well-fitting, deep, red dress. Her soft brown eyes, the only ones in the family, regarded me with nothing but warmth and kindness, something her smile portrayed too. “Look at you, honey.”

I was wrapped into a warm hug before I could reply.

“My goodness.” She stepped back and looked at me, her gentle gaze taking me in. “You look wonderful. How are you?”

I couldn’t help but smile back at her. She was one of those people who brightened the darkest room with her mere presence. “I’m well, thank you. How are you?”

“I’m alive.” She winked at me. “Are you waiting for William?”

“Yes. Rose told me he was on the phone.”

“Oh, for the love of...” She trailed off. “She was told to take you right in. The woman is useless.” She stalked past me to the door and knocked loudly before opening it. “William, Lani is here for you. No, don’t put your finger up at me, darling. You can call your father back. Can’t he, Henrick?” she added in a louder voice.