Page 110 of Somebody's Watching Me
“Oh my God. Please don’t start in on how attractive you think his dad is again. I don’t think I can take it tonight.”
“Trust me, it’ll matter one day.” Hillary slowed their progress. “And I have no doubt that Liam will take you back, but honey, he’s going to make you work for it.”
“Evie said a million blowjobs can’t fix this.”
“I agree with Evie. You have a war ahead of you, my dear. One that might take more than a few rounds on your knees.”
Squaring her shoulders, Jamison saluted her. “I think I can handle it.”
“That’s my girl.” They continued walking again. “Not to change the subject, but I do have a question for you. Why is my replacement allowed to openly pursue your father as she is? If Taylor can’t control herself, Samuel needs to put her back on his team, or you need to step in.”
“Trust me, I want to.” With Hillary, she could be open and honest. “Taylor even got snarky with Simone in the kitchen the other morning.”
“Well, that’s just stupid, and if she’s foolish enough to provoke Simone Howard, then Taylor deserves what she gets.”
“It was like she was testing her limits. It didn’t sit right with me.”
“What I’m about to say does not reach your father.” Hillary slowed their pace again. “And I am telling you this as the new head of PR, not as his daughter.”
“That can’t be good.”
“Gossip concerning Taylor and Ben is building steam. Fast. Someone whispered in my ear recently about how they are secretly getting married because Taylor is pregnant with his child.”
It was a good thing Hillary was holding her arm, or else she would have tripped and fallen face first on the ground. “You’re kidding.”
“The source was reliable, and it will upset Ben,” Hillary replied. “Actually, it’ll infuriate him, and not just at the audacity of the rumor—we’ve dealt with worse—but it will remind him of the same gossip that floated around about your mother.” She smiled softly, fond of Laura Jean. “Although those were certainly true.”
Taylor was out. Even transferring her back to Samuel was keeping her too close. Maybe they could send her to North Carolina or return her to Lauderdale.
“People will think it’s a repeat performance,” Jamison spat out. “I knew I didn’t like her for a reason.”
“I’m not implying that Taylor started the rumor,” Hillary said as they neared Liam. “Just that you must be the one to end it.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
Dramatic as ever, Hillary gave Liam a nod when they reached him and handed off Jamison as if she were handing off a bride on her wedding day. “Good to see you, boy.”
“It’s good to be seen, Hillary.” He always played along with her antics. “What were you two talking about?”
“Oh, just of lying whores and how blowjobs can’t always win wars,” Hillary replied, amused with herself. “Now, tell me everything. I have the stats on guards and system upgrades. I’ve also pulled the expenditure listsfor everything you’re planning to do, but I want the nitty gritty. How are you going to wipe Zanmi and this Sinclair person out?”
Liam didn’t address the offhanded comments, and patiently indulged her with information.
“That’s not all of it,” Hillary said at the end of his rundown. “If you’re keeping your cards close to your chest, it must be for a good reason, and I won’t pry.” She pointed her finger in his face. “But where is your father in all this? I’m surprised Will Cohen is not right in the thick of it.”
Liam gave her a boyish grin. “He’s well past being in the thick of it. My parents would be here already if not for him trying to get something for Rowan.”
“The plot thickens.” Hillary laid a hand on Liam’s cheek. “Make sure he comes by to see me. I enjoy looking at his face.”
“It’s not at all awkward that you find my dad hot, Hillary.”
She gave his cheek a pat. “At least I have taste.”
And in true Hillary fashion, she left without another word.
“Let’s try out the earpiece.” Liam extracted his arm and took a few steps back. “Can you hear me clearly?”
Jamison nodded, her nerves shooting into hyper-drive. “Is Annabeth doing okay?”
