Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2)

Three years later

The girls said we could drop them off at the school’s curb and Presley thirded the motion, saying the building wasn’t that big. But I vetoed that idea. No way am I going to abandon them to fumble their own way to their classroom. Maybe in a few weeks . . . or years . . . but definitely not today.

It’s their very first day of kindergarten, after all. The first time they’ve been away from home all day long without me, Presley, or Francine.

As we escort them through the halls, I’m fidgeting like crazy, twisting my wedding ring around and around my finger. “You sure you’ve got your lunches in your backpacks? You know what to do if you need to come home?”

“Call Franny,” Emilia answers dutifully. Lacey is already distracted, taking in the colorful posters and noisy crowd all around us with a wide-eyed grin.

“And do you remember her number?”

“Um . . .”

“Dom,” Presley says. “Relax. The teacher has Francine’s number. And our numbers, and their pediatrician’s, and the National Guard’s . . .”

I frown. “I know that. It’s just an extra precaution.”

“And this is just a school—a private school, even,” she says. “It’s only until three. Francine will pick them up and take them home, and we’ll see them again tonight.”

“You say ‘only three,’ but that’s six hours away. What if they miss us during the day? What if they need help using the potty? What if the other kids are mean? What if they don’t eat their lunch? You know they’ve been so picky lately. What if—”

Presley squeezes my shoulder, loving but firm. “Honey. Chill out. Stop acting like we’re throwing them to the wolves.”

“Wolves? Can I see?” Emilia asks.

“It’s only a figure of speech, honey. The only wolves around here are at the zoo.”

“I’m perfectly chill,” I say, frowning. “But we have to be sure they’re ready.”

“Somehow I don’t think they’re the ones who aren’t ready,” Presley teases. “Seriously, they can handle it. They’re more than old enough, and they did great in preschool.”

“But preschool was only a half day. This might—”

“I’m a big girl,” Lacey says.

quite agree.” Presley squats down. “Show me on your

few moments, Lacey

how many

the same

back over her shoulder at me before asking them, “And how much do Mommy and Daddy

they both shout, flinging

rocket scientists.” She lays

hips, Emilia

okay!” Lacey says, trying to

laugh at how thoroughly we’ve switched roles here. “Thanks, you two. But for your information, I’m not crying. A bug just

about to cry.

girls?” their

they run inside and the door shuts behind them. If I squint through the frosted glass, I can just barely see the blobs of color that belong to our precious daughters. Then they

You’re going to

“Oh, hush,” I grunt.

I love this side to you. It’s adorable.” Taking my hand, she

with a heated look. “Did you just call

“Yes. But don’t worry, I’ll

back of it, right over her exquisite diamond ring. It feels like I gave it to

beams at me. “Always and

• • •

was right about one thing—I’m completely useless at the office. Thankfully, my calendar is mostly clear. I suspect that she and Beth had something to do with that fact, like they knew kindergarten drop-off would hit me hard. Hell,

we arrive. She’s no longer the director of operations, she now runs the entire international operation,

in a little while. Bianca got married

six o’clock dinner with Presley’s dad, Grandpa George, along with her brother,

days before Presley came crashing into it were filled with work and parental obligations. But since I finally got my head out of my ass and accepted that she was part of my future—and that I did deserve to be loved—now my days are filled with family

familiar voice calls from the

up to spot

barging straight into my office without knocking, ever since that time last year he caught me bending Presley over my desk. In our defense, it was after hours, and we assumed everyone was gone for the day. Thankfully, he didn’t catch a glimpse of anything more than my bare ass. Though I guess that was enough to

safe?”