Page 66 of Bossy Trouble

Shock slammed into me, momentarily replacing the anger. I knew who Kenny had just described and could practically draw him from my memory.

Georgia was talking to Alexander Lupin.

25

GEORGIA

Icaught sight of Kenny standing across the street from me, and I froze in step.

He was looking right at me with a semi-stunned expression on his face, holding a phone to his ear. My heart rate instantly rippled.

Had he seen me with Alexander?

I kept my face neutral as I continued walking to him, gesturing with the brown paper bag in my hand. I’d ordered some food to cover up my lie. Kenny put his phone down, slipping it into his pocket. “They didn’t have what I wanted at the other restaurant, so I had to get it here.”

“Uh-huh.” Kenny didn’t look like he believed me. There was also judgment in his eyes, a disapproving set to his lips. Shit, maybe he did see me with Alexander. My stomach tightened. Would he tell Donovan? Did he know who Alexander was? Would Donovan figure out what I was up to?

I’d be doomed, then.

If Donovan ever found out the deal Alexander and I made to take him down, there was no way he was leaving me unscathed. He would never believe that I changed my mind and protected him instead. He would destroy me completely.

“Why did you come out of the car?” I asked Kenny, trying to keep the fear from my voice.

“I was worried,” Kenny said in a strange tone. “I didn’t see you, and the boss gave me strict instructions that nothing was to happen to you. When you didn’t come back in five minutes, as you said, I got concerned.”

“Aww, that’s nice of you.” I gave him a comforting smile. “But I was fine.”

He nodded in a clipped motion. “We should probably get back before the boss starts getting worried. He might be at your house already.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “Let’s go.”

The ride home was anxiety-riddled as several worries dueled in my mind. One was Alexander’s threat to reveal my daughter’s parentage to Donovan. He’d warned me the last time we met too.I’m a dangerous enemy to have.Alexander didn’t look like a man to go back on his word, and I knew he would do it, both to spite me and hurt Donovan.

I mentally smacked myself for getting involved in all this in the first place.

I let my thirst for vengeance against Donovan trick me into making a deal with the devil, a man who may even be more malicious than Donovan himself. And now, here I was, caught between a rock and hell.

Donovan couldn’t find out who Avery’s father was. It would destroy the copacetic relationship we’d formed, and he might take my daughter away from me.

But on the other hand, I couldn’t betray Donovan either. It would break my heart to do that, no matter what.

Even if he’s betraying you?

A pang of pain struck my chest.

The picture of Donovan with Sasha came to mind. The hug. It had looked pretty cozy, not like a hug shared by exes, but by two people who were very fond of each other. Sasha, to my knowledge, had been one of Donovan’s longest girlfriends. According to Garrett—and the tabloids—the two of them had pretty much been on and off since college. It would make sense for them to get back together after everything. What if I was only a placeholder? What if he was simply taking a break because he needed something new, but they would end up together anyway?

And here you are, ready to ruin your whole life for the man,I thought bitterly.You never learn.

At the same time, I still couldn’t find the gumption to betray him. So here I was, still stuck in my thoughts, which were driving me crazy.

Donovan arrived home before I did. I could tell because the door was unlocked when I got there. Macy told me she would bring Avery back later this evening, so I knew it couldn’t be her.

I squared my shoulders before I went in, trying to organize all my thoughts and excuses before I faced him again.

But nothing could have prepared me for what I saw.

Donovan was standing with his arms crossed by the window, looking out to where Kenny was waiting in the car. The minute I walked into the living room, he turned to me, and my heart caught in my chest. Anger radiated from every inch of his gaze.

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