Page 6 of Big Bad Wolfe

As the child scooped up a cookie and headed for the kitchen, Brooke stopped him. “Casey, what do you say to me?”

“Oh. Uh, thanks.”

“Thank you for a lovely time,” Brooke enunciated sharply.

“Thank-you-for-a-lovely-time,” Casey parroted with zero sincerity as he trotted out.

The redhead arched perfectly plucked brows at Jillian. “Did I interrupt something? Your delicious ‘friend’ left in quite a hurry.”

“Delicious” didn’t do tall, dark and taciturn Zane Wolfe justice. But no matter how yummy, the inscrutable, dangerous FBI Agent wasnother type. “It was a business meeting. You know I wouldn’t bring a man here right now. Casey is still adjusting to all the changes.”

“Saint Jillian.” Brooke smirked. “Even before you got saddled with the tot, your social life was pathetic.”

Jillian smothered rising temper. She’d dated enough losers to discover she’d rather be alone than spend time with some howling Cro-Magnon. She wanted an easy-going, sensitive poet. A family man who loved children. If Orlando Bloom knocked on her door—and wasn’t married—she’d take him in a hot second.

Sure,thatwould happen. “I thought you planned to keep Casey all day.”

“I need spa time. I can hardly get ready for my party at the club tonight with a grubby little kid underfoot. Besides, his nose kept running.” Brooke shuddered. “And he wiped it on hissleeve.”

“I’ve told you before, he has allergies, it’s not contagious. Did you give him his medicine?”

Brooke looked blank. “I forgot. He was so cranky, I dreaded bumping into any of the fundraising committee at the art museum. I thought it best to return him.”

“Your nephew isn’t a DVD rental. When the show stops being amusing, you can’t just dump him back into the slot.” Jillian scowled. “A posh art museum is your idea of fun for a five year-old? No wonder he was cranky.”

“It’s never too early for a child to learn culture. You should do more of that with him instead of finger painting and baseball. He hasappallingmanners, which is why he needs Richard as a role model.”

Right … if Casey wanted to grow up to be an arrogant, heartless shark. “Why did Richard demand visitation if he’s not going to bother to see Casey?”

“He’s a successful plastic surgeon.” Brooke’s scornful gaze raked Jillian’s paint-splattered shorts and bare feet. “He can’t waltz in and out of the OR whenever he wants, like a daycare nanny.”

Jillian bit back a barbed retort about manners. “If Richard can’t manage to see his nephew more than twice in the past three months, why is he contesting Deb’s will and suing me for custody?” Jillian’s voice rose, and she forced it down again. “You’ve also got a full schedule, with your country club, charity, and social events. Neither of you seem to realize that raising a child is a huge commitment of time and energy.”

“Richard has been working non-stop. If Casey were ours, he’d get to see him every day.” Brooke smiled, baring flawless capped teeth. “Besides, Casey should be living with hisrealfamily. Bloodlines matter, which is why we don’t want to adopt just any stray.”

Jillian’s heart sank. Richard the Ruthless was not only loaded, he had powerful connections. He ensured his wife stayed happy and off his back by giving her everything she wanted. And she wanted Casey.

Jillian swung the door open. “Don’t let me keep you from your busy afternoon at the spa.”

“Richard will be calling you … soon.” After a hasty glance at her jewel-encrusted watch, Brooke glided out.

Jillian waited for the purr of Brooke’s charcoal BMW to fade before she surrendered to the urge to slam the door.

She hadn’t started this fight. But she would damned well finish it. For good.

* * *

Zane checked the clock on the airport terminal wall for the tenth time in ten minutes. Over an hour before his flight would begin to board. He slumped in the hard chair in a deserted corner near the departure lounge.

Hi, Mister. Who are you?He could still hear the small, earnest voice ringing in his ears, see the child’s intelligent brown eyes staring up at him.

Why hadn’t Deb told him about Casey? He would have willingly paid child support.

His hands fisted. He knew why. His horror over the broken condom had been obvious. As were his panicked questions about her cycle and timing.

Deb had run in Zane’s circle in college. She’d heard his vehement statements about parental responsibility, his vows never to marry or father children.

However, fate had intervened. Leaving the child alone in the world.

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