Page 20 of Homewrecker

When they were at the club, as a FemDom, she insisted on being called Mistress Scary.

“What’s up, boss?” Ginger asked in a low voice when he got close enough.

In a fit of paranoia, ever since Lincoln had discovered who his wife’s lover was, he’d swept the office for bugs. It hadn’t turned anything up, but Ginger knew he’d want them to keep their voices down, anyway. Just in case.

“I have an extra side project for you, but I need you to keep it quiet. Wiley’s daughter and ex-wife, Ashley and Sara Vaughn… I want you to dig a little deeper on them. And follow Ashley this week from a distance. She was struggling at the wedding, and I want to make sure she’s okay.”

“Got it. Do you want me to step in if she seems to need anything or…”

“Call me and let me know, and I’ll make the decision on a case-by-case basis.”

Nodding, Ginger gave a little salute and left. Harris straightened up, though his arms remained across his chest, and raised his eyebrows.

“You sure about this?”

“Someone has to watch out for her.” He hadn’t told Harris what had happened between them, but he got the feeling his brother was suspicious of his interest. “Her own dad isn’t.”

Harris shrugged. A long-time bachelor, he’d never been interested in love, preferring to play the field. He was a good, if somewhat disinterested, uncle to Rebecca. When she’d beenyounger, he’d played a lot with her, but as she’d gotten older and her interests had shifted, Damien’s interest in spending time with her had waned… not that Rebecca had noticed. It had been a natural progression.

“If you say so. It just feels like you’ve got enough family drama going on.” Just as Harris said the words, they both heard Janet calling Lincoln’s name and winced in unison. “What the hell is she doing here?”

“I don’t know.” Lincoln turned and hurried out the door to go greet his wife, who was out in the hall, lingering by the front desk where poor Nita looked confused about whether to keep Janet out or let her back. They’d met before, but there was a policy of not letting anyone back without an appointment, and Janet had never shown up at his office.

Wearing chic white pants, a yellow blouse, and pearls adorning her neck, she looked as though she was ready to be out and about for the day. Why she was out and about here was the mystery.

“There you are.” Janet smiled widely when she saw him, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Are you ready to go?”

“Ready to go?”

“On our lunch date, remember? You’re taking me to the club for some golf, then lunch. We’re supposed to be getting in some time with my family since they came into town after the wedding.”

Lincoln stared at her. He vaguely remembered Janet saying she would be doing that today with her family, but he’d reminded her that he’d need to get right back to work since he’d taken off half the week before the weekend of the wedding, so he wouldn’t be able to come. He knew he’d done that.

“You know I can’t come to that.”

Putting her hands on her hips, Janet glared furiously at him.

“You said you would.”

There was no way in hell.

“No, I told you I needed to work.”

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you forgot,” she replied with a derisive sniff, not backing down one inch. “This place was always more important to you than me or Rebecca. But it’s one day, Lincoln. You can leave work for one day. Things will not fall apart without you.”

“This place is what allowed me to provide for you and Rebeca.” He worked his jaw, trying to unclench it at the familiar argument. Janet hadn’t wanted to work after she’d had Rebecca, and he’d poured himself into making this company work so that she wouldn’t have to. It had been some seriously long hours, but he’d done itfor her. For their daughter. Both of them had always appreciated the money, even if Janet had never had anything but complaints about his schedule. Apparently, he was somehow supposed to make the money without working. “And it was already several days last week, which is why I told you I wouldn’t be able to go out today.”

“I can’t believe you’re doing this to me again.” Her lower lip trembled, her eyes acquiring a sheen of moisture that threatened tears. “I’m not coming home tonight if you don’t come out with me today, Lincoln. I can’t keep living like this.”

Lincoln stared at her. Sure, she didn’t know he knew she was cheating on him, but this was emotional manipulation at its finest. Did she really believe he’d fall for it, even if he hadn’t known about her and Marshall?

“Are you threatening to leave me if I don’t go golfing with you?” he asked incredulously.

“I’ll be back in a few days when you’ve had time to think about what you’ve done,” she said haughtily, tilting her chin.

Lincoln continued to stare at her, too stunned to speak.

She looked at Nita. “Take my advice, dear. Never believe a workaholic when he says you’re more important than his job. You might be his wife, but his job is his mistress.”

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