Delinquent Daddy (Banks / Kincaid Family #2)(78)

"I wasn't supposed to find out about him. If I'd picked Cassie up on time last night, I wouldn't have even known this other guy existed." Hissing out a swear word, he ran his hands through his hair. "Jesus, Cam. I stood there and told her I loved her, and she still opened the door for him."

"Wow."

"I can't..." He glanced toward his cousin. "I can't hire her.

I'd go insane."

Cameron blew out a long breath. "Okay," he said, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "We'll find somebody else then.

No biggie. We'll find someone...somehow."

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289

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage





Chapter Twenty


Monday morning, Ellie showed up to work at her regular time. She'd been so sure Boston would quiz her about her date when he brought Cassie home. She would've bet money on it. She was also prepared to tell him Ted was a jerk. Then she'd graciously let him know she'd changed her mind and was ready to try one more time with him.

But he didn't even walk Cassie to the door. He stayed in the car, buckled into the driver's seat as he watched their daughter troop up the front steps to where Ellie was waiting at the entrance to receive her.

As Ellie held the screen door open, her eyes slid toward the Infiniti. Boston sat at the curb a couple of seconds, watching her from shuttered sunglasses, before he put the car into gear and drove off. Mouth dropping, she was swamped with a mixture of disappointment and relief. She wasn't all that settled or comfortable over the whole idea of starting over with him. More time to think it through before letting him know what she'd decided was much appreciated.

On the other hand, it was going to be two weeks before she saw him again, before she could touch him, kiss him. Ellie thought it'd be in bad form to take off running after him down the street and inform him she'd changed her mind. So, she just stood there and watched him go.

Monday morning, She was still indecisive as she pushed open the front door of Young and Mercer. Deep in thought, she didn't notice the figure standing in her boss's opened 290

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

doorway until she was behind her desk and bending over to turn on her computer.

"Ellie?" the male voice came from behind her.

She screamed and jerked erect.

Winston folded his arms over his chest.

"What in the world are you doing here so early?" she gasped, pressing a hand to her heart. Her boss never showed up before she did.

"I need to talk to you," he said without preamble.

"Ah...okay."

He stepped out of the doorway to his office and turned to the side, giving her an expectant arch of the brows, silently commanding her to enter before him. She frowned and immediately moved to comply. As soon as he stepped into the chilly room behind her, she swerved around and gave him a strange look. This was way beyond unusual.

"What's going on?" she asked, her mind instantly going to Nora and Keller. Had Nora done what she'd promised to do Friday night? Was she divorcing Mendel? If she was, that would definitely put Ellie in an awkward position with her and Nora being so close and Winston being Mendel's only brother.

"Have a seat," Winston answered, making sure not to share any kind of eye contact with her as he motioned awkwardly to a chair.

Ellie sank down warily. What in the world had happened?

He looked so sober, like someone had—

Oh, God. Had someone died? Ellie sprang to her feet.

"What happened?" she demanded to know.

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Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

Winston gave a tired sigh and perched himself on the edge of his desk, facing her. "Just...sit down, Ellie." He scrubbed at the back of his neck.

"Just tell me," she countered.

He stopped rubbing, but kept his palm latched around his neck as if to give himself an excuse to keep his head lowered while he mumbled, "I hate this like hell. But...I'm afraid I'm going to have to let you go."

Ellie blinked. "W-what?" she managed to say after a pregnant pause.

Pressing a hand to her chest, she slowly took a step back and sank gingerly into the chair before her shaky legs gave out from under her. As she stared at the top of her boss's balding head, she watched the greasy skin there turn a bright, embarrassed red.

"You're fired," he said, lifting his face and wincing when he saw her expression.

She blinked. "But...why?"

She could barely breathe, barely think. None of this made sense. What in the world was going on?

Winston's gaze slid away. "I..." he tried to start and then fell silent. Finally, he cleared his throat, straightened his shoulders stiffly as if seeking some courage there and looked up. "You know how important my clients are to me, Ellie."

She nodded, not even realizing she was still pressing the flat of her palm against her ribcage. "Of course," she managed.

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Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"Well..." he said. Then his gaze flitted guiltily away. "It's a top priority here at Young and Mercer to keep every client happy, and when Ted Barnaby called me Saturday morning—"

"Ted Barnaby!" Ellie repeated in alarm as she surged to her feet.