Page 48 of Ruthless Secrets
Zoe giggles, and the sound is like music to my ears.
My brother steps forward. “I wish we were all meeting under different circumstances.”
Lila shoots him a glare before looking at Clara, her gaze softening. “We’re just glad everyone is all right.”
I’m not sure Clara is even listening. She’s too focused on showering Zoe with affection, but I don’t think Lila and Andre take any offense. They would be the same if anything were to happen to Holly.
“What took you so long to get here?” Andre comes and stands by me.
I subtly shake my head and glance at Clara.
“Later,” I mutter under my breath.
Andre nods and glances at Lila.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you go and get Clara settled in her room. Delilah is preparing you some food, which she’ll bring up shortly.”
Clara looks too overwhelmed by everything to respond.
“I’ve already set up a crib for Zoe.” Lila places an arm around Clara and starts guiding her toward the enormous staircase that leads to the first floor.
Andre and I watch them go, neither one of us speaking until there’s a faint sound of a door closing.
My brother shakes his head. “I still can’t believe you have a kid. If she didn’t look so much like you, I’d say you should demand a paternity test.”
I bristle at his comment. “Zoe is mine.”
“How the fuck did this even happen? It’s not like you to not be careful.”
“It’s fifteen months too late for the safe sex talk. Besides, Clara happened.”
“She seems very different from Melanie?—”
“I’m going to stop you right there. I don’t want to finish the night by discussing my dead ex-girlfriend.”
“So… Is Clara your new girlfriend?”
“It was a one-time thing, nothing more.”
My brother’s lips twitch as he tucks his hands into the pockets of his black slacks.
“I’d be inclined to believe you if it weren’t for the fact that Clara is the new manager of Nox.”
“She was the only person I could find qualified for the job.”
“Besides you.”
My patience for this conversation has officially run out. “You want to know why we took so long getting back here?”
Andre nods, and I tilt my head toward the door.
“Come with me.”
I lead my brother back outside, and the minute he sees the state of my car, a string of curse words leaves his lips.
“Yeah. We need to deal with Alfonzonow. Before he forms any more alliances.”
Andre frowns. “We don’t have any evidence to suggest he’s working with Tommaso.”
