Page 13 of Legacy

“The books are off from last night. Kansas called me this morning to tell me about it, and I don’t like it after everything else that’s gone wrong there. I need your opinion.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, and my temples throb harder. The last place I want to spend the morning is at the strip club, but if Steel’s already there, it can’t be good. He avoids that place more than anyone else in the club.

“I can be there in thirty. Let me just make sure Margaret doesn’t need anything before I take off.”

“Sounds good.” Steel ends the call, and I shove my phone back in my pocket.

“Everything okay?” Reagan glances at me, sliding another bite into her mouth.

Her lips close around the fork, slowly teasing the length as she pulls it out, and I shove those thoughts down.

“I gotta run sooner than expected, so I need you to get yourself to the airport after all.”

“I can just stay if you need me to.”

“I don’t.”

“Not even for a babysitter?” Her gaze drops to Bea. “Margaret has a follow-up appointment this morning. She said Pearl will be here in ten minutes to pick her up and that you knew about it. She told you, right?”

She did. I just fucking forgot.

Everything is slipping through the cracks.

“If you have somewhere to be, I can help…” Reagan watches me. “Unless you have other plans?”

She rolls her shoulders back, taking another bite. But this one is more of a challenge. A silent standoff because she knows I don’t have anyone lined up to watch Bea, and I’m fucked. It’s not like I can drag my five-year-old daughter to the strip club with me to sit around while I work.

“Fine,” I grumble.

Reagan’s mouth fights her smirk. “Fine?”

Of course she’s going to make me ask. This girl is so damnirritating.

“Can you please stay with Bea this morning, Reagan? It would really help me out.”

The triumphant smile that brightens Reagan’s face is beautiful, and I hate it.

“Of course.” She nods. “Anything for Margaret and Beatrice.”

“Thanks. It’s just a few hours.”

“Even if you’re running late, don’t worry. I’ll be here. Like I said,I’m here to help.”

I want to tell her I don’t need her fucking help because I don’t want it. But I know that’s a lie right now. I’m drowning in conflicting responsibilities at home and with the club, and her being here is convenient.

“It’s really no trouble,” Reagan continues, setting her fork down as she offers me a beautifully wicked smile. “I can stay as long as you need. I was already planning on it. Took a leave of absence from work and everything…”

Bea bounces in her seat, looking between us. “Please, Daddy.”

The two of them are all bright eyes and big smiles, working in unison as they stare at me.

“Fine.” I drag a hand through my hair.

“Fine?” Reagan lifts her eyebrows with quiet amusement, relishing in my defeat.

“Just for the time being. Until I can figure this out and get a new nanny sorted. But you’re staying in the room I put you in downstairs. I’m not kicking Bea’s toys out of the playroom.”

And I really don’t need Reagan upstairs, that close to me.

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