Hot Revenge Box Set 2

Cara, quiet in her carrycot, begins to fuss. James casts an eye across. “I’ll take over those carrots, Charlotte.”

“I thought you wanted help making the meal?”

He takes a carrot from her hand, prises the peeler from the other. “There are plenty of us here to help with lunch. Only you can provide Cara's. And besides, we’re nearly done here. I’m going for a shower in a minute. Why don’t you take Cara up to the nursery? You’ll be warm and quiet there.”

He stoops, lifting the tiny girl out from her blankets. She barely fills his hands as, supporting her head in one palm, he cradles her to his chest. “Kirstie, would you go with Charlotte, please. Keep her company while she gives Cara her feed.”

But I’m barely listening to his words. The expression on James’ face as he holds Cara…

Love…

Adoration…

Utter devotion…

The expression seems completely out of keeping with the front James projects; the stern-faced Dom. But I know him well enough to know that front conceals a man of strong passions and utter loyalty.

God help anyone that threatens her…

Cara’s fussing grows louder. Abandoning my chestnuts, “Can I hold her? I’ll carry her upstairs for you.”

Charlotte eases up out of her seat and grins, looking much more herself. “Sure. She’s getting used to having a lot of people around her.”

With only the slightest hesitation, James releases Cara to me. “It’s good for her; learning there’s a lot of people she can trust.”

Although still so small, Cara is heavier than I’d expected and I hold her carefully, supporting her head in the way I saw James doing. Her face, already red, is colouring up further and her fussing is turning to a wail. “Definitely ready for her lunch, I think.”

Maybe it would be nice to have one of these of my own…

Then I realise that from across the kitchen, Ryan, peeling parsnips, is watching me.

*****

I sit with Charlotte and Cara in the nursery, taking in the mass of murals, colourful and bright, occupying the walls. Mobiles hang from the ceiling, dangling birds and horses and little bells which sway and tinkle with the slightest movement.

From outside comes the slam of a car door.

More visitors?

but a touch of

day

how I approach the subject, I speak carefully.

better. I’m not coughing much now.” She strokes Cara’s face, very gently, not disturbing her daughter from her meal. “The important thing is that Cara is healthy. When they had me prisoner in there, yes, it was awful, but the main thing I was thinking about all the time was whether they’d damaged her by drugging me. Or whether

but is interrupted by a tap on

“May I come in?”

clothes, turning slightly, “The

Not ‘Dad’…

Not yet…

much more healing to do

as he sees me. “Oh... I didn’t mean

not interrupting,” smiles Charlotte.

rise from my seat. “I’ll

But Charlotte waves me down. “It’s fine, Kirstie.” She waves across

then, “I, um, I have something for you. A Christmas gift…” He stares at his feet, then looks up again. “… I had no idea what it should be; what would be appropriate. You already seem to have everything in your life. A home. Money. All the things you

package to Charlotte. “Anyway… I

small, square

A CD?

Odd choice…

daughter and

expression, I’m not the only one to think

wrapping the shawl around her. “Could you take her for a

Klempner’s gift, then slides the ribbons to one side

yes, it’s a

Charlotte presses a knuckle to her mouth, raising her gaze to

baffled by her reaction. “What is

She’s shiny-eyed. “Scheherazade.”

had no idea what to give you, Jenny. But I did want to give you something, even if it

into her hands, gasping and sobbing. I want to hug her, to ask her what’s wrong, but I

a door, the thumping of feet, and our own door crashes open,

foam fleck his half-shaved face. A series of vicious-looking circular bruises are centred over his ribs,