Page 57 of Secret Baby for the Bad Boy

“Have you made your wish?” he asks, doing a double take as his gaze snags on me like he can’t look away.

“I’m still deciding,” I whisper. But the truth is, what more could I ask for?

Lark’s eyes search mine, a soft smile on his lips. “Take your time,” he says, his voice gentle. “Wishes are important.”

I nod, my heart swelling with emotion. “I think I have everything I could ever wish for right here,” I say, hoping I’m not saying too much too soon. But I’m comfortable with him, and I’m going to trust that comfort.

He leans in, his forehead resting against mine. “You know, I feel the same way,” he says in a low voice, his breath warm on my chin and neck and stirring the few escaped hairs there. “But if I had to make a wish, it would be for this moment to last forever.”

I close my eyes, wondering how the heck he knows just what to say to make the moment even better somehow. It’s like a gift, or we both feel the same way. “Forever sounds perfect.”

And it does. Maybe I’m fooling myself, maybe this won’t last, but I want to try. And at least then I’ll know I gave it my all and won’t have to worry about every what if that comes along later.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Lark

My phone buzzes, scooting across the conference table and interrupting the meeting between Lara, Shana and me.

They both look at me and I give an apologetic wave of my hand and pick up the device to silence it, until I see the name on the screen. Walker. It’s a name I’d never turn down a call from, an old friend back when I was living a more… unsavory life. He was a gang member a long time ago, and someone I trust with my whole being.

“Excuse me,” I say, sliding out of my chair and pacing toward the window, the cityscape blurred by rain. “Walker, what's up?”

“Hey, Lark.” His voice is serious and deadpan, which is to be expected from him. He’s a close to the vest kind of guy. “I've got bad news. Sending you info now.” My spine stiffens. Walker is not a man to be dramatic. If he says something is going on, then something is going on, and I need to take note.

My phone dings with documents and I open them, then place an arm on the steel beam beside the window for support.

“Oh, damn.” My heart hammers and icy cold then burning hot fear prickle across my being.

“Your designs, they're being replicated,” he says. “But with trash materials. They'll crumble and cost people more. It's dirty play – your company has the patent.”

I don’t even want to ask how he got this information; he’s always had his ways. But I am thankful.

“Shit.” The single word hisses through my teeth. Walker was one of the people I’d asked to pour some of his wealth into our venture. His was a vote of confidence we'd sorely needed. Now this.

Damn it.

“Thanks for the heads-up,” I say, keeping my voice steady as I begin to form a plan.

“Watch your back, Lark,” he says. “Someone on the inside is betraying you.” With that, the line goes dead.

I walk back to the meeting room, where Shana and Lara sit, their faces still filled with concern at my sudden exit.

“Someone's stealing our ideas,” I say. “Passing them off as ours, but with sub-par parts.” I forward the documents to them both and they open the files, their faces shifting with emotion; anger, fear, disbelief… they go through so many changes.

Shana looks ill; her face has gone pale, and her hands tremble as they clutch at the edge of the table. Lara's eyes widen, stunned anger filling her features as her lips move slightly with every word she reads.

“Are you serious?” Lara’s fury overflows as she nearly throws her device down in anger before realizing it’s not actual paperwork and might break if she does.

But it’s Shana I’m watching, because there’s something in her eyes that has me curious.

Shana nods, tears sparkling in her eyes as she sets her phone down and bites on her lower lip as if to hold back the truth. But the words come anyway. “I think I know how it happened.”

“Shana?” Lara sounds betrayed and I hold up a hand to quiet her as Shana tries to explain.

“I'm so sorry,” she whispers, her voice barely loud enough to be heard. “My laptop... I wasn't careful enough with security.”

“What does that mean?” Lara sounds angry and confused at this point, but I don’t need details. I need to find a way to fix this, and fast.

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