Page 15 of Grand Love

I put my hands on my hips as my nostrils flare.

“I want you to leave.” She looks at the clock on the wall. “You need to leave.”

“Not until you tell me who paid you!” I snap, completely losing my cool.

“Lowell,” Charlie repeats.

“We leave now, and she’ll never let us through the door again!” I turn back to face her. “Tell me!”

“I don’t know, okay? I just did what I was told to do.”

I can feel my face heating as I step towards her. I go to run my hand through my hair, and she flinches, making me pause and question why.

I tilt my head, glaring as I search her bloodshot eyes.

She walks to the window and peeks out, her hand shaking on the curtain. “You need to leave. Please!”

“Are you safe here, Jasmine?” Charlie asks, picking up on the same feeling I am.

She frowns, smoothing the yellow strands of hair behind her ears. “Yes. Who the hell do you think you are?”

“You need to tell me who paid you! I won’t hesitate to have you arrested and thrown in prison.”

Threatening her is probably the last thing I should be doing right now.

“What for?” She frowns.

I can see Charlie’s eyes burning into the side of my head, but I don’t face him. “For being a fucking whore!” I yell, the last of my control clearly gone.

She frowns, shrinking back, her face awash with sorrow.

This woman isn’t a prostitute.

She hasn’t got it in her.

“What’s that noise?” Charlie asks, but I can hear nothing past the drumming in my chest.

She’s not going to tell me.

She doesn’t know.

Jasmine’s eyes dart to the door between the kitchen and the sofa, and I still as the noise registers.

“Is that—”

Stepping forward, I push open the door with the palm of my hand, which gives me the perfect view of the room behind it.

The blood that was boiling on the surface of my skin seems to drain from my body, leaving me staring wide-eyed at the baby standing up in the cot.

Jasmine moves quickly, bending and scooping the little girl up in her arms, clinging on tight.

She didn’t want us to see this.

Shit.

“What the fu—”

“Lowell, shut up,” Charlie warns, his voice noticeably softer. “You have two boys, both in care?” he asks Jasmine, taking a step towards her.

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