Page 11 of The Darkest Knight

Chapter 5

CARI

I brace myself. Any moment now, Jett will walk in, dressed not in a tux but in his impeccable black suit—the kind that screams power and wealth. The one reserved for fancy black tie occasions.

Tobias Stone’s Christmas party is a highlight of the season—for adoption centers, and for the children waiting to find a home. It always takes place in the late afternoon. Last year Jett came to the office with little Brooke in his arms, the perfect doting dad. The gorgeous, debonair, charming billionaire carrying his little girl. She looked like a fairy in her silver sparkled dress. I fell even more in love with her then. I still don’t know what happened to her mom, and sometimes I find myself thinking about Brooke, and wondering if she has questions about it.

I can’t remember if Jett was single at the time. He’s had so many girlfriends while I’ve been here, that I lose track of who was around when.

This year, he’s gone home to get ready with Brooke, but he mumbled something about having to stop by here to sign some paperwork.

No doubt torturing me with the sight of him dressed like ... that.

I focus on filing, typing meeting minutes, and updating schedules—anything to keep busy. I’d call this “just another day” if it didn’t involve me slowly unraveling every time he’s near.

I called Aunt Scarlett earlier and she said my mom was tired but otherwise in good spirits. She's eating properly, and keeping it down. Not throwing up. It always happens after an infusion, but she seems to be getting her energy back.

I can't wait for next year.

Next year, all of this will be behind us, and I can move on. It feels like my life is in a state of limbo.

But it will get better.

It will.

Childish laughter echoes down the hallway. My heart skips as Brooke barrels in, clutching her beloved, tattered elephant, which she drops as soon as she sees me.

“Hey, sweetie!” I scoop her up into the air. I can't remember when it started. One day she came into this office and came running towards me. It was the most natural thing to do, to lift her up. I haven’t even told Eliana or Bianca about it because they'd only laugh at me and tell me off for getting too carried away with my daydreams.

I've seen this little girl grow up before my eyes and we have an indescribable bond.

I set her down gently, marveling at how she’s grown. From the moment I started working for Jett, I’ve watched her go from a cute toddler to this beautiful little girl who lights up every room.

“You look gorgeous!” I say.

“Thanks! We’re going to a party.”

“I heard.”

Anna, Brooke’s nanny, walks in and we exchange polite smiles. Just as I’m about to say something, Jett strides through the door.

And suddenly, time slows down.

His dark hair is slicked back with just enough wave to soften the sharp lines of his face, his electric-blue eyes cuttingthrough the room like a spotlight. The suit hugs him like tailored perfection, showing off his broad shoulders and lean frame in ways that make my thoughts scatter. He’s the kind of man who makes everyone else look like a poorly rendered sketch.

It’s insane.

“Video conference with my father,” he mutters, already disappearing into his office.

“Can I pop to the restroom?” Anna asks. “Didn’t even have time to put my lipstick on. Jett rushed us out. ”

“Go ahead. You know where it is.”

Of course, he rushed them. The man probably booked a conference call with his father right before a party for orphans. Classic Jett.

“Are you coming?” Brooke asks, her big, hopeful eyes nearly undoing me.

“Oh sweetie, no. I have to work.” I dig into my drawer. “I got you something.” I pull out the elephant coloring book. It was hard to find, and I ended up getting it online from a niche supplier because it's not easy getting a children's coloring book that is only filled with elephants. “I thought you might like this.”

---