Page 80 of Calamity Rayne Knocked Up

She jiggled the primitive knob and the door opened. Old houses didn’t have dependable locks.

“Shit!” I was mid-stream and couldn’t reach the door. “You’re supposed to be studying my form, brat. You could at least shut the door.”

“Shit!” She left me there—ass out, scrambling for toilet paper as she went to find her father.

“Turncoat!” I quickly yanked up my pants, washed my hands, and went after her.

“Where are you rushing off to, Rayne?”

I halted and frowned at Seraphina, who looked…tousled.

Oh, God. I sure hoped she didn’t do the nasty with Captain Stubing. He was part of the drunk debauchery in the parlor.

“Elara’s on the run.” I looked her up and down. “Where have you been?”

She drew back. “What’s that look?”

“Were you with that guy?” I whispered, just wanting to get to the tea.

She laughed. “Yes, but nothing happened. Carlisle’s an old friend of Daddy’s.”

Old was the key word. “So, you’re not into him?”

“God no!” She laughed again. “I have my eyes on someone else.”

“Really?” This I needed to hear. “Who?”

She glanced over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “He’s actually here today. Have you met Alexander Landry?”

My curiosity morphed into disappointment. “Oh. Him. Yeah.”

“He’s so hot. Those dark eyes and that tanned skin.” She blew out a breath. “The things I could do to that man.”

“He’s sort of an odd duck.”

“The good ones always are.”

“And I think he might have a gambling problem.”

“Well, with his net worth, he can afford to.”

I forced a fake smile and decided to leave it alone. Plenty of people probably thought I was an odd choice when Hale picked me. “Well, he was in the kitchen if you’re looking for him.” Maybe she could drag him out of there.

She frowned. “Xander was?”

“Yeah. We were making a pie and—What are you doing?” I was shoved back into the powder room as Seraphina shut the door.

“It’s Barrett and McKinsley.” She cracked the door and spied on the couple.

“So why are we hiding in the bathroom?” I whispered.

“Because I think he’s trying to dump her on someone so he can hang with the guys. I’m not getting wrapped up in babysitting unless it’s for Elara.”

The couple chatted as they passed the powder room. Well, McKinsley chatted. Barrett seemed to be ignoring her.

“I don’t know why he does this,” Phina hissed. “Every holiday he brings some bimbo to shield himself from Daddy. Then he gets tired of her by day two.”

A shield or a security blanket? These Davenport holidays were exhausting. “I’m guessing you don’t like her.”

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