Page 86 of Bad Seed

“Ava, do you know what happens to you when the babies are born?” Sean asked.

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“You will be their aunt. Aunt Ava. That’s really special. Kids your age hardly ever get to be an auntie that young.”

Her eyes widened. “Is Mikey Pope an auntie?”

“No,” Sean said. “Girls are aunties. Boys are uncles. But Mikey isn’t anybody’s uncle.”

“Right. He’s Ellie’s big brother. Not an uncle.”

Sean winked at Amalie. “I told you. Mikey’s gonna get an earful at school on Monday.”

***

After a text from Brendan, Liz was waiting at Harley’s suite to let them in as he brought her into the hotel from the employee entrance. But as they came off the staff elevator, Harley staggered. Seconds later, Brendan had her clutched tight against his side, his arm around her waist.

“I got you, Sunshine. Lean on me. We’re almost there.”

Liz ran toward them and grabbed Brendan’s bag. “I’ve got this. You take care of her,” she said and headed back to the room to unlock the door, while Brendan picked Harley up and carried her.

“I thought I could do this,” she muttered.

“Just hush, you and I are good,” he said, and kissed the top of her head as they went.

Her arm was around his neck, her head against his shoulder as they walked into the suite. Liz shut the door behind them and waited while Brendan took Harley to her bedroom.

As soon as he laid her down, she breathed a huge sigh of relief.

He took off her shoes and covered her with a blanket. “Rest, darlin’. I’ll be up front. You will not be left alone again.”

“Love…” she mumbled.

“Love you, too,” he whispered. “Going to talk to Liz.”

“Liz.”

He hung up his coat, then hurried back to the living area where Liz was waiting. She handed him a key card.

“This is your card. Harley’s is on the dresser in her bedroom. We found it on the floor when we were cleaning up. Her purse and money are safe. I made sure. Everything is shipshape, except her,” Liz said. “What’s the prognosis?”

“Actually, it’s good from a healing standpoint. Concussion will heal. The head wound wasn’t serious, but between the two, she’s dealing with a constant and pounding headache and some balance issues. They will pass. She said she was about a half day away from finishing the audit, so maybe we’ll be out of here by tomorrow night.”

“Don’t let her overdo it,” Liz said.

“I won’t. What’s happening with the hotel sale?”

“Dad’s beyond ready. This thing with Beaumont and his daughter were bad enough, and then the hit man slipping past our security sent him over the edge. We already have someone interested enough to ask for first refusal. Hope it works out. He seems keen enough.”

“Is it confidential, or can I ask who?” he said.

“Probably confidential, but you know how to keep stuff to yourself. Wolfgang Outen.”

“Whoa! Really?” And then he smiled. “Oh, wait, I’ll bet I know why he’s willing to give up his jet-set lifestyle for Jubilee.”

Liz was surprised. “Why?”

“He’s about to become a grandfather. Sean and Amalie are having twins. They just announced it.”

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