Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2)

Presley

After being let into the building by the security guard, I knock on Dominic’s front door, armed with a bag of tried-and-true holistic medicine: electrolyte drinks, ginger ale, and saltine crackers. My mother always took such good care of us when we were sick, so I made sure to pick up the necessary ingredients for a settled stomach at the store before I arrived at Dominic’s building.

When I was standing in the grocery store aisle, comparing prices, I remembered I don’t have to worry as much about the cost anymore. I can afford to buy the organic stuff . . . something I’ve never done before. If I were buying for myself, I would have probably gone generic as usual. But for Dominic’s girls? I got the best stuff I could find.

Francine answers the door when I arrive. She is pale as a sheet and gives me a wan smile. “Hello, dear.”

“Hi. I’m here to take over,” I say with a sympathetic nod.

“I hoped as much.” Sighing, she looks positively exhausted as she opens the door and leads me down the hall. “I’m not feeling well myself. I should get home and rest before I make matters worse here. Dominic won’t be happy to find both his girls and an old lady green in the face when he comes home.”

“He just wants to make sure everyone is okay. Including you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have called me.”

Fran gives me a look that says I’m not so sure about that.

I mean, why else would he have called me? I know where his apartment is, and he trusts me with his daughters. After thinking it through, I swallow. I guess that is kind of a big deal.

She smiles warmly at me before she picks up a large canvas bag and an umbrella and heads for the door. “They’re resting in their room. There are sick buckets in the tub, just rinsed. Be careful not to touch anything you don’t have to. Don’t want you getting sick too, dear.”

Fran. Please

and slip off my shoes. I tiptoe to the girls’ room and peek my head inside. I don’t want to wake

“Presley!” Lacey cries.

guess they

her pillow with a whimper. Emilia is almost unconscious, probably asleep until her sister’s

I can hear her saying, “Daddy. Daddy,” and my heart aches. I didn’t know Emilia

but he’s driving and I shouldn’t distress him any more than he is. I’ve only ever seen him frantic when it came to

I’m not supposed to touch them, but they need a little comfort. I brush the sweaty curls from their faces

is Daddy?” Emilia asks, her eyes heavy

way. I’m going to take care of you two for a little while before he gets here, okay?” I know I’m a poor substitute for their father, but I hope I can at least provide them

whispers. “Can we

can play all

thirsty.” Lacey whines, squeezing

little bit of

mother taking care of Michael and me. I give them each a few sips of water, even though Lacey is eager to guzzle more. I want to make sure they can

of water that was in her stomach. She’s so scared of throwing up that she shakes

through it, but she’s a little more resilient than