Page 8 of Seduced By a Billionaire

“Suit yourself.”

“Mon bébé, we shall return. Of course, your papa loves you. You are too alike. What am I to do with you both?”

Faye tried herding her mother out the door before more damage could be done. She had witnessed the look of hurt in her brother’s eyes before it had been concealed behind his insolence. Her father had always been hardest on Kyle, the first born.

Somehow, she and Griffin had managed to escape their father’s harsh criticism growing up. She had always felt guilty about that. She had gotten away with everything. Compounding her guilt was the relief she often felt at being spared. As the only daughter, she had rarely been denied anything and had flown under her father’s hypervigilant radar. She knew this was in part due to Kyle running interference in order to spare his younger sister and brother. She in turn had always idolized her older brother. In her mind he was nothing short of a hero.

“See ya in a bit,” she called out to Kyle.

“Take your time. And come back alone.”

3

The family had all agreed that it was time to let Finn visit with his father. He had been hospitalized for almost a week and the insecurities arising from keeping him away were becoming more harmful than any possible reaction to Kyle’s appearance.

“Finn this is Ella. Can you say hello?” Faye asked.

Eyes downcast, Finn nodded his head shyly, “Hi.” The dark smudges under his eyes tugged at Ella’s heartstrings. He looked so small and lost standing in the long hospital corridor that she wanted to gather him up into her arms and protect him. All of her dormant maternal instincts suddenly kicked in.

Crouching down so she could meet him at eye level she said, “I’m your daddy’s nurse. I’m here to help him get better. He is very strong and even though he might look scary bad to you right now he is doing really well.”

Peering into his father’s room he said, “Why is he groaning?”

“He has some pain, but we gave him more medicine to help and he is already feeling better. Would you like to go in and see him?”

“Yes please,” he replied. His large blue eyes framed with dark lashes looked like mini versions of his dad’s.

Faye held up her phone and said, “I’m going back to the waiting area. I have to call Mom and give her an update, if that’s all right with you?”

“That’s fine, I’ll take it from here.” Standing Ella held out her hand and he slipped his tiny palm into hers. “I’ll be right here with you okay? You don’t have to worry about anything. It’s up to me and his doc to take care of him. Just seeing you will help him feel better,” Ella said.

“I’ll be right back little man. Ella will take good care of you,” Faye said.

Looking up at Ella as they entered Kyle’s room, Finn said matter-of-factly, “My mom’s in heaven.”

“That means you’ve got an angel looking out for you.”

He nodded, then said earnestly, “She must be busy ’cause my dad can’t be with me much account of he has to work all the time. I’ve got a nanny.”

“You do? You are so lucky you have someone there just for you. That means your daddy loves you very much.”

“Yeah. ’Cept she’s leaving.”

“Aww that’s too bad. I’m sure there’re a gazillion nannies out there that will love taking care of you.”

He shrugged.

Kyle hearing their conversation met Ella’s gaze, eyes shuttered. Ella observing the scene through Finn’s perspective knew how fragile his father must appear to him. Tubes everywhere, a cast on one arm, bandages on his head, cuts, scrapes and bruises. Had to be frightening for the little guy.

“Daddy?”

“Hey buddy, come over here. I’ve missed you!”

Finn stood frozen. Ella suddenly had an idea, “Finn, you won’t hurt him as long as you’re gentle.”

“Are you sure?” His slight frame shook as he began to cry, “I don’t want you to die, Daddy!”

“Finn I’m not going anywhere. Come over here,” Kyle said, his voice gruff with emotion.

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