Page 47 of Secrets, Lies and Love

Now I look at the child sitting on the floor in his rich playroom. The same one I’m responsible for now.

Despite everything that happened, God was generous to Joseph, giving him not only a loving substitute father but also a good family.

You have no idea how much your father adored you without even knowing you, my love.How much he risked himself to protect you.

In the short time we’ve spent together, I’ve noticed that Joseph is a quiet child, and I wonder if it has to do with what he went through in the womb: the fights, his parents’ reciprocal hatred.

He lifts his head from the building game he’s playing and offers me one of the pieces, smiling.

“Do you want me to play with you?”

He nods.

“I don’t know if you understand me, but I love you, Joseph. I loved your father, and I love you with the same devotion. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to ensure you are happy.”

Dionysus

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Three days later

Control freakis definitelya good epithet for me. Even though I’ve had to come to an emergency meeting in Europe, where I’m trying to acquire the biggest French TV station, I need to know what’s going on at home.

In my defense, when I checked the home security cameras, it wasn’t to spy but to see that everything was okay.

As for Joseph, I knew he was safe with Odin and Elina, but what about Cecily? How was my sexy redhead who had become my erotic obsession?

I purposely haven’t called her since I left. There’s something about the woman that makes me lose the control that I’m so well known for, and from the reports I’ve had from Barbara, I’ve learned that Cecily’s short relationship with Joseph has been perfect.

The housekeeper told me that my son smiles all the time when the new nanny is around.

Joseph’s wellbeing will always come before my desire for her. I can’t risk losing someone who’s important to him for an adventure that I know won’t last more than one night.

However, she’s a tease, a temptation dangling right in front of my face, and I can’t tear my eyes away from the security cameras. Particularly the one in the heated pool area, because I’ve just discovered that over the last three nights, Cecily has been swimming in a tiny white bikini that shows me every inch of her delicious body.

No matter how much I tell myself it’s perverted to watch her, I can’t stop now that I’ve discovered her secret.

I can justify myself by saying that it’s not a secret camera—it’s like the many others that are spread around the house.

Is she aware of them? I don’t think so. Cecily may be sexy, but she’s not provocative.

I grip the lid of the laptop with the intention of closing it, but I don’t, my eyes still focused on the frozen image of Cecily, almost naked, emerging from the water last night, her entire body dripping.

As if trying to test my sanity, the phone pings with a message from her.

Cecily:Good morning, Mr. Dionysus. I would like to know if there is any particular outfit that you want Joseph to wear for the wedding, since Elina told me that you will be arriving at the last minute for the ceremony. Barbara couldn’t say. If you need me to provide him with an outfit, let me know, so I can buy it when I leave the library today.

Library?What the hell is she talking about?

I tap the display to place a call. “What are you going to do in the library? Your contract with Elina is suspended,” I say as soon as she answers, after the phone rings only twice.

“Good morning, Mr. . . . um . . . Dionysus. I agreed to work part-time for Elina, in the morning. I was told that I would have the day off, so I don’t see what the problem is.”

“What I told you is that I might need you at other times if Mrs. Nuttle misses work.”

“If that happens, I will be available. I already explained to Elina about that eventuality. Got my message about Joseph’s outfit, I suppose?” she continues, already changing the subject, but I’m not willing to let go of this issue anytime soon.

“Am I not paying you enough?”

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