Page 4 of The Duke's Surprise Heir

Edward walked over to the bag and peered down. There was a stack of diapers, several empty bottles, another container with some powder, and several small outfits, obviously for Kyle. He poked his finger into the bag, shifting the diapers around. And that’s when the lust hit him. Panties! Damn, he pulled a red lace piece out of the bag, holding it in the air. Red lace. He remembered these panties. He’d taken them off Macie a year ago. And she hadn’t bothered putting them back on for the rest of that weekend.

She’d packed several outfits and essentials for Kyle, but Macie had only packed panties for herself? No change of clothes?

With grim determination, he dialed his personal assistant. “I need clothes,” he told the man as soon as he answered.

“Yes, sir. What kind of clothes? I have your tailor’s number in my contacts. I can get you an appointment this afternoon for a fitting.”

Edward rubbed a hand through his hair. He glanced over at Macie, keeping his voice low. “Not for me. I need clothes for a woman. Size eight. Thirty four C bra size.” At least, he hoped she still wore that size. Didn’t a woman’s body change during pregnancy? “Better make that a nursing bra,” he cautioned.

“Sir?” Matthew squawked.

Edward sighed. “Please, no questions at the moment.” He remembered the way Macie had cowered just inside the doorway as soon as he’d opened the door. “And be discreet.”

“Yes, sir.” Mathew continued writing down the list of items that Edward called out. Heels, dresses, slacks and…jeans. Yeah, he remembered Macie in a pair of jeans. “And leggings. With comfortable shoes and lots of sweaters.”

“Any particular color, Your Grace?” Matthew asked.

“Green,” Edward replied. “Green, red, pink, and blue sweaters.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Send someone out with several outfits in a few hours and shop for the rest. And send the clothes as you get them collected.” He paused, thinking through the issue. Then he remembered a personal shopper he’d used for one of his mistresses a while ago. “Call Gail at Eldor,” he instructed, naming the exclusive boutique in London. “Tell her that I need her to open up her shop early for me. She’ll charge me extra, but she’ll also be fast and quiet about it.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll call her immediately. Anything else?”

Edward stared at the baby, mentally groaning. “Yeah, I will have more, but I’m still working on the list. I’ll get back to you.”

He ended the call and took a long sip of his hot coffee, watching Macie sleep. Was the baby…Kyle…breathing?

The thought caused an unexpected pang in Edward’s heart and he moved closer, bending down to examine the little guy more closely. With relief, Edward noted the small movement of the infant’s back. Thank goodness!

His hands itched to hold the baby. His son! The thought sent him reeling. His son. He had a son! A three month old boy was just inches from him.

Edward made several more calls, but kept away from calling the US headquarters of Linx in order to inquire about Macie’s sudden appearance. She’d been terrified when she’d arrived. Since he didn’t know what had caused that terror, Edward decided not to call her boss. Not yet. He’d wait until Macie had woken up and explained the situation.

Until then, he grabbed his laptop from his office and worked in the great room. And he watched Macie and the baby. Waiting. Still trying to process the fact that he had a son!

“What’s the news?” Ricky Palmero asked as he walked into the warehouse in Philadelphia.

Henry Vister, the Philadelphia director of the quickly expanding Linx Airlines, leaned against a wooden cargo hold. “Word is that she’s dead,” Henry snapped. “I told you to scare Macie Meyers. Not kill her!”

Ricky chuckled, hopping up to sit on a wooden cargo box opposite his boss. He lit a cigarette and took a drag before answering. “She’s not dead, you moron.”

Henry glared at the hired thug. He even looked like a comical version of a movie thug. The black, leather jacket and burgundy silk shirt, open at the collar with a gold chain was old-school mafia. But the guy was good. So far, he’d been able to control the problems with their secret operation.

“I read the news reports!” Henry roared, then flinched and nervously glanced around. He’d surveyed the area moments ago to ensure that this conversation wouldn’t be overheard, but that didn’t mean that someone hadn’t come in for some reason.

Quickly, he smothered his temper, inhaling deeply, then slowly released the air.

Ricky chuckled, watching as he shook his head. “No need to get your panties in a twist, boss,” the impudent thug replied, then took another puff of his cigarette, blowing the smoke out and watching it drift through the air. “The woman and her kid didn’t die. Whatever reports you’ve heard, they ain’t true.”

“Then explain the body the arson inspector found in the barn!” Henry hissed.

That was a surprise. Ricky’s cigarette halted halfway to his lips. “A body?”

“Yes! A body was found! I was called yesterday asking for any information on Macie Meyers. They’re asking for contact numbers on next of kin.”

Ricky shifted uncomfortably on the wooden crate. “Well, whoever’s body the cops found, it wasn’t your lady.”

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