Page 91 of Nanny for the Cowboy

“Of course.” Rosie steps forward, and we hug, squeezing each other tightly before we both head our separate ways.

I have no idea where the last half of our lunch went, but I need to get back to the ranch anyway. I hike my purse up on my shoulder and head out the front of the bar to exit.

As I walk back to my car, my thoughts are still a mess, so I hardly notice it when my phone buzzes repeatedly in my pocket.

Oh, that’s an actual call.

Pulling the thing out, I don’t even look at the screen. I just swipe to answer. “Hello?”

“Well, look who finally fucking answered.”

My stomach drops into my feet, and I freeze in place on the sidewalk.

“Kyle.”

“That it is. And you’ve been dodging my fucking phone calls.”

Pulse through the roof, I shake as I look around the street. I have that disgusting feeling of eyes on the back of my head, but I can’t see anyone.

Panic is taking me, and before I can say anything, Kyle’s voice cuts through the line again.

“You’re supposed to be my partner, Clover. We’re not done.” I can hear something shuffle in the background, wind rustling over my skin as it does. “You cost me that fucking client, and you’re going to get me this new one.”

“New one? What are you talking about?”

I don’t know why I’m asking. It’s not important.

Kyle has threatened me. I’m not about to fucking work for him again. In fact, I’m supposed to be doing what I can to make sure that the guy is arrested for threats and hostility.

“Cicero Inc. called after you left. Assholes keep demanding to speak to both of us, so…” There’s a sucking sound like Kyle’s doing that thing he does to his teeth, and I grimace. “And you fucking owe me for messing up the last time.”

“Kyle, I’m not?—”

“I wouldn’t be so quick to turn me down, Clover.” My phone vibrates against my face. “Check your messages.”

If it’s possible to have my stomach drop further, it does. My hand is shaking when I pull my cell away from my cheek and look down.

I have to swipe open the message, but as soon as I do, I see it. I see exactly what Kyle wants me to see.

A somewhat blurred picture pops up in our text thread. While it takes a second for me to understand the context, I know who’s in that picture with me.

It’s Darby.

And it hits me that it’s from the day in the park. The one where he first told me to sing. The one where I felt…someone watching me and saw that glare.

Dammit.

“Awfully cute, aren’t you? Well, I’d hate to see a moment like that…destroyed. You don’t want that, do you, Clover?” Kyle’s voice is soft as it comes out of my phone still in my hands.

I’m shaking. My entire body is shaking, and I can’t take a single step. People are passing by me every so often, but my eyes are pinned to the image.

Darby. It’s fucking Darby, and despite what Kyle’s literally saying, I know what he’s implying. My eyes burn.

He can’t be serious. He wouldn’t really hurt a child…would he?

“If you don’t get back here and nail this collaboration for me…” Kyle pauses just long enough that my morbid curiosity forces me to put the phone to my ear. “I’ll get you here myself. Consequences be damned.”

Cicero is a huge client. He’s tried to land them for years, and they’ve always said no. They don’t like Kyle.

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