Page 69 of Dangerous Secret

“Of course. Does he have an appointment time?”

“Dr. Patel will see him as soon as he arrives at her office. Take the Mercedes. You’ll find Tyler’s car seat in the garage.”

“I’ve seen it there. Do you want me to move the BMW out of the garage for you?”

“Yes, park it near the front door. Ava will be down with Tyler in a few minutes.”

“All right.” He’d put the bug in the Mercedes this morning, and he needed to move it to the BMW. After relocating the bug to the BMW, he parked it and left the keys in it for Pressley. Then he installed the car seat in the Mercedes and moved it to the front of the house.

A few minutes later, Ava came down the steps with Tylerlagging behind her. One look at the boy, and it was apparent he didn’t feel well. Since she didn’t seem to care, Grayson went to him. He kneeled in front of the boy.

“I hear you’re not doing so good, bud.”

“My tummy’s sick. I threwed up all night.”

Grayson smiled atthrewed. The kid was cute. “Well, let’s get you to the doctor.”

Tyler glanced over Grayson’s shoulder. “Ava’s mad at me,” he whispered. “She said I’m gross.”

Bitch.“Well, I don’t think you’re gross. It’s not your fault you’re sick, and we’re going to get you to feeling better.” He took the boy’s hand and led him to the car.

Ava was already seated in the front passenger seat, so Grayson got Tyler buckled in the car seat. When he was secure, Grayson touched his hand to Tyler’s forehead, finding it hot. Once they were on the road, Grayson glanced at Tyler through the rearview mirror. The little boy was huddled in his car seat, looking miserable.

Ava glanced back at Tyler and wrinkled her nose. “He barfs in the car, I’m getting out. He’s gross.”

“I’m sorry, Ava,” Tyler said.

Grayson hated the meekness in Tyler’s voice. He spied a coffee shop and turned into the parking lot. When he stopped, he scowled at Ava. “Get out.”

She gaped at him. “What?”

“Go inside have a coffee, call your friends, do whatever. We’ll pick you up after he sees the doctor.” And if she called Tyler gross one more time, he might forget he was supposed to pick her up.

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Anthony won’t like it.”

“You gonna tell him? Because I’m not.”

“The kid will.”

“I won’t,” Tyler said.

“See. No one’s telling, now get out.”

“If he tattles, he won’t like—”

“Out.”

She huffed as she opened the door, and when she closed it behind her, Tyler giggled. Grayson turned and winked. “You doing okay, bud?”

He nodded. “I like you.”

“I like you, too, kiddo.” He wasn’t happy that he’d done that in front of Tyler, but he’d had enough of Ava making the boy feel bad. Besides, she was useless as a caretaker…nanny. Whatever she was supposed to be. He didn’t remind Tyler not to tell his father that Ava didn’t go with them to the doctor. The boy could keep a secret.

“He has a mild case of the flu,” Grayson told Ava when he returned to the coffee shop and picked her up.

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