A Reclusive Heart (Hollywood Hearts #2)(7)

She really wished she knew where they were going. Call her crazy, but it would have been nice to have been told, correction, asked to go wherever it was they were going. She was pretty sure he hadn’t said one single word to her since they left Rick’s office. As soon as the door closed behind them he attached a hands free piece to his ear and began his marathon of calls. It wasn’t until she sat down at her new desk and logged onto her computer to start editing Margo O’Malley’s latest book that she realized he’d followed her. Without a word he picked up her bag and handed it to her, gesturing for her to follow him.

Well, it was just one more person to add to her list that knew she didn’t have a backbone. This was just super, she thought dryly as they pulled into a long driveway of a huge white one story house.

Finally Mr. Quinn ended his call and got out. Obviously he expected her to follow after him like a puppy. Deciding against sitting in the car, mostly because it would look like she was pouting, she followed him to the front door.

“Um, where exactly are we?” she asked.

He looked over his shoulder at her and ran his gaze over her, making her feel like a bug under a microscope. Finally he looked at her face and sighed as if it pained him to speak with her. “We’re here because you need a complete overhaul and I don’t have the time to do it. So, I’m going to ask a friend of mine to do it for me.”

Fire scorched her cheeks as embarrassment once again won over frustration.

She knew she wasn’t exactly a prize, but would it kill the man to sugarcoat it for her? Perhaps a few white lies here and there?

“Oh,” was her only response.

The front door opened to reveal a man with more muscles than any one human needed. He looked Nick over and nodded his acknowledgement before turning his gaze to her and frowned.

A bodyguard? What kind of friend that would help with her appearance needed a bodyguard? Then it hit her. He was bringing her to one of his many lady friends. A model perhaps? She’d heard about him. Heck, she saw the man operate a month ago when she attended that meeting. He seemed to hit on every waitress at the restaurant. It was kind of insulting to say the least.

“Who exactly are we meeting with?” she whispered, feeling suddenly nervous under the bodyguard’s glare.

“Dana Pierce,” Nick said casually as if he were ordering a burger.

Her brows shot up and her heart practically leapt out of her chest. He brought her to the home of Dana Pierce! Was he insane? The woman was a world famous author and actress and did she mention the woman had been in Maxim magazine a total of five times? Nope. She couldn’t and wouldn’t do this. Next to Dana Pierce she would look like dog food.

She turned to leave only to have the back of her coat grabbed. In seconds she was being dragged inside a house that had a surprisingly down to earth feeling to it.

“Hey! Let me go!” she hissed.

“I don’t have time for this, Miss. Harris,” Nick said unapologetically.

“Uncle Nick!” several small boys yelled excitedly.

He released her, causing her to stumble. With the help of the bodyguard she avoided going head first into the front door.

“Thank you,” she mumbled.

“You’re welcome, ma’am.”

Jamie brushed her coat down and turned around to see two little shirtless boys around four years old happily latch onto Nick’s legs. An older boy, also shirtless, who looked to be around eight or nine, hugged Nick, careful of his smaller brothers. There was no doubt that they were brothers. She would have known that instantly even without knowing Edward and Dana Pierce had three sons and one daughter. They looked exactly alike and exactly like Edward. That was kind of interesting considering the oldest one was not Edward Pierce’s biologically son. It was kind of eerie.

As discretely as she could she did a quick glance over the oldest boy. She remembered the incident that occurred five years ago with this little boy. Everyone heard about it. It was hard to turn on the television or pick up a paper or magazine for a month after it happened without seeing a reminder. A babysitter from a well known and trusted agency had a little alcohol and drug party with a guy in this very house and left the two young children alone. As a result the little boy suffered severe burns when he tried to cook food for himself and his sister.

After that incident a new law was enacted called the Cole Child First Act. It required all California agencies that dealt with the care of a child, handicapped or elderly person to do a federal background search on employees instead of a simple state background check. Monthly drug tests were now mandatory and the laws were tougher. From what she read she was pretty sure the woman who caused Cole’s injury was still doing time along with her boyfriend.

At least it looked like the boy didn’t have any scars. She shifted her gaze away quickly. No need for people to think that she was some sick-o or something.

Though, she was sure that she wasn’t the only one who threw the kid curious looks.

“Where’s your mom, Cole?” Nick asked.

Cole stepped back and gestured towards the kitchen.

“Alright, guys. I have to go talk to your mom, but I’ll see you early tomorrow afternoon at your game. Okay?” he said as he bent forward so he could look Cole in the eye.

Cole beamed. “Can we feed the ducks afterwards like last time?”

“We sure can, buddy,” Nick said with a fond smile for the boy. He kissed Cole on the cheek and the two little ones on the top of the head before he gestured for her to follow him.