Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(95)

How could they not?

Like a beacon of brilliance in the crowded police station, my Charli glimmered. She didn’t need designer gowns, jewels, or an exclusive luxurious surrounding. Simply being herself in slacks and a sweater, she was luminous.

It was then she turned and our eyes met. Instantaneously her lips curled upward and her cheeks rose. Her smile lit her entire expression and her golden eyes shone with the light of a million stars.

“Can we go?” she asked.

“Yes, princess, let’s go home.”

Jane sat straighter, narrowing her gaze my direction as she tilted her head. “Mr. Demetri, what did you just call her?”

“Princess, but in all honesty…” I reached for Charli’s hand. “…she’s my queen.”

Jane shook her head. “Child, you hold on to that man.”

“I don’t plan on letting him go.” Charli turned to Mr. Owen. “I know we’ve monopolized your time, but Jane has worked for Montague for the length of my entire life. She’s more than an employee—she’s part of my family. When Montague employees are hired, they are required to sign a nondisclosure agreement. The police have questions and she’s unsure of what she can and can’t say. I’ve told her that you will sit with her and help her during her statement.”

“Miss Peterson,” Mr. Owen said offering her his hand. “I’m Daryl Owen. I’d be happy to assist. It’s nice to meet you.”

The two shook.

“Thank you,” I said. “This time, we’re really leaving.”

“Go and congratulations.”

Charli’s cheeks filled with pink. I hadn’t mentioned our baby during my statement, only the hospital, but it was obvious she had.

Though Jane’s eyes questioned, Charli simply accepted his congratulations and kissed Jane on the cheek. “I hope you know that you’re always welcome in New York. Call me.”

“Child, you call me, and give your momma a big hug.”

“I will. I promise.”

A car ride later, along with Deloris, Isaac, Chelsea, and Clayton, and with my hand in the small of Charli’s back, we ascended the stairs of the private plane. At the top of the steps, I stopped and scanned the tarmac. The Georgia blue sky shone overhead as small tugs moved planes from here to there. Aircraft of varying sizes sat inside hangars. There were even a few poised and waiting for takeoff.

“Nox?” Charli asked.

“I’m just enjoying the view.”

Her gaze scanned the same scene. “Am I missing something?”

“Not one police car.”

She grinned. “Let’s leave before one shows up.”





CLAYTON PULLED THE black sedan up to the gate in front of the house in Rye.

“I’m nervous to tell them,” Charli said.

“We don’t have to, not yet. It can be our secret.”

“And Daryl Owen’s and Dr. Beck’s…”

“I’m confident those people are legally bound to keep secrets.”

“It was hard not to tell Chelsea.” Charli sighed. “I hope she likes the apartment.”

Deloris and Isaac stayed with her in the city to take her to Charli’s place on the Upper West Side.

“At least she’s willing to give it a chance. Tomorrow we’ll be back at our place. You’ll see her.”

The gate opened and Clayton moved forward as Charli nodded. “I’m ready for it to be just us again. And,” she said enthusiastically, “I can’t wait to see Pat. He was so great and then for the last week I fell off the map again.”

“You’ve talked to him.”

“I have,” she said as Clayton opened the door. “But I haven’t told him. I didn’t know, when we spoke.”

Cool wind whipped auburn wisps of Charli’s hair around her face as she pulled her coat tighter and stepped out.

“I-I…”

I pulled her to a stop and brushed my lips over hers, stilling her words. Pink from the wind colored her cheeks as we stood on the sidewalk. “I’ll follow your lead. I won’t tell if you don’t.”

Charli took a deep breath and nodded. At the same moment, the door opened wide.

“What are you two doing? Come in,” Silvia called.

For the first time that I could recall, my home welcomed me, truly welcomed me, from the flowers on the table to the sunlight shining in through the back windows. Impulsively, I kissed Silvia’s cheek. “I have a secret.”

Her eyes sprang wide only a second before Charli’s.

“Follow my lead?” Charli asked.

“Alexandria!” Adelaide’s voice came from the sitting room.

As Charli skirted away, Silvia reached for my arm. Narrowing her brown-eyed stare, she asked, “What’s gotten into you?”

I was stunned with the response that danced on my tongue, fighting to be said. I wanted to say: nothing has gotten into me; it was in Charli. But I didn’t. Instead, I shrugged and said, “I think it’s called happiness.”

“It’s not a secret, Lennox. It shows on your face. You might want to appear a little more grief-stricken when interviewed about Mr. Fitzgerald’s death.”

“The interview is over. They told me to go.”