Page 58 of Love In The Spotlight

“That’s sad,” she said. “Why not start her life over with the money and being clean?”

He shrugged. “It’s not for me to answer. All I know is I’ve got a beautiful little girl out of this that is my world and I’ll do anything to protect her.”

18

SOMEONE LIKE HIM

The following Monday, Laken still had those words in her head that Jamie would do anything to protect his daughter.

That meant in her mind that she’d always be second in his life. If they got to a point where she even rated.

She had to decide if that was going to be good enough for her or not.

For now, she was going to do what she’d said. She was going to tell her brothers.

She felt she was in the clear to do it now. Last week Lily and Braylon had gotten into a huge fight and she was more concerned about her brother and his relationship rather than sharing something new in her life.

Part of Braylon’s fight had to do with Thomas, who was the Vice President of Legal and Braylon’s boss who found information on Lily. Things Braylon didn’t know and acted like an ass about.

It reminded her that Jamie wasn’t the only one in her life who might have something in their background they were embarrassed or ashamed of.

She’d told him that over the weekend too.

That Abby had been concerned her mother’s mental illness and drug addictions would bring shame on West. Her older brother laughed it off and said it was no reflection on Abby.

Braylon had agreed with West, yet when Thomas found out that Lily’s mother was in prison for armed robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder, he’d all but lost his mind that the love of his life had lied to him.

There’d been no lying, just Lily not giving all the facts, but it’s not like Braylon ever asked specifics though he knew Lily had no relationship with her mother.

Laken learned her lesson from her brothers and made sure she asked questions of Jamie.

Thankfully, he wasn’t offended and it didn’t appear he kept anything in.

“Where is Braylon?” she asked, walking into West’s office early on Monday. It was barely seven thirty.

“He’ll be here on time,” West said. “He normally is. You’re early.”

“Only five minutes,” she said. “Oh, coffee, I need it.”

“Braylon is bringing it up,” West said.

She forgot on Monday Lily normally had to pick up coffee for her boss and others and that was where Braylon had met his girlfriend.

“I wish he was bringing food too,” she said. “I’m starving.”

“You should eat before you leave in the morning,” West said. “But call and have whatever you want to be brought over.”

When Braylon walked in with three cups of coffee, she went right for the specialty one that she knew was hers.

There was enough cream and sugar in it to get her through.

“I’m good now that my big brother brought me this. Thanks.”

“I’m not late,” Braylon said. “It’s seven twenty-eight.”

“It is,” she said. “How is Lily doing?”

“Fine,” Braylon said. “I think Stella is ignoring her like she normally does when her nose is in a twist.”

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