Page 27 of Laying His Claim
Jalissa decided she’d had enough. She took a menacing step toward the younger woman. “Listen to me. I don’t know what kind of game you think you’re playing, but you do not get to mess with the well-being of my child. Sebastian ismyson and if you put him in jeopardy one more time, in any way, you will have me to contend with.” She hated that she was shaking out of rage; something that the other woman might see as a sign of weakness.
“I will still have to report this to Justin,” Lorena insisted.
“You do that and—”
“I will. He is my employer.”
“Lorena, I promise you; if you breathe one word of this to Justin, I will see you packing your bags. Do you understand me?”
Lorena pinched her lips together and looked away.
Jalissa held Seb tightly against her chest, examining his face for any signs of being unwell. She was sure that a few days past expiration would do the baby no harm, and she’d be calling his pediatrician immediately to make sure, but in the meantime, “You can take the rest of the day off, Lorena, and tomorrow, too. Seb and I will be fine.”
Lorena shook her head. “Sorry.” She didn’t look sorry at all. “Justinwas the one who hired me. I work forhim,notyou.And I will remain here as long as my contract states. I will remain here untilhesays otherwise.”
Much as she hated to admit it, Jalissa knew that she had been defeated for the time being. So, she said, “Fine. If you want to stay, stay. Eat, drink, watch a movie on Lifetime; I don’t care. Do whatever suits your fancy until Justin comes back. Just stay away from me and my kid.”
She went back to the kitchen, feeling both scared and angry. Clearly, this woman was unhinged, and would stop at nothing to rid herself of Jalissa and her perceived competition for Justin and Seb’s affections. It was crazy! But unless she could convince Justin of that fact, she’d better watch her back and keep an alert eye on Sebastian’s well-being and safety. She couldn’t afford any other mishaps where he was concerned.
* * *
“Hey, Big Guy.”
Justin looked up to see his twin, Violet, standing in the doorway of their parent’s sunroom where he had been relaxing in an easy chair, engrossed in the financial section ofThe Globe and Mail. She’d had a late workday and hadn’t been able to make it back in time for the family dinner, and it was obvious that she was excited to see him.
“Hey, Baby Sister,” he answered, carefully folding the paper and putting it aside before standing up to give her a hug. A rush of happiness went through him; his sister always had that effect on him. He lifted her off the ground, twirled her around once, and then, when she started punching him in the shoulder, he set her down again. They stood there for several moments, grinning at each other like idiots.
“Good to see you,” she finally said.
“Good to see you, too. Are you gaining weight?”
She slapped him, hard. “Shut up!”
Violet was as much of a health nut as he was and hit the gym at least five times a week. The idea of her gaining weight was ridiculous. But for a year or two in their early teens she had been a bit chubby, and he knew that the mention of that pudge was a great way to be a brotherly pain in the butt.
She walked to the maple-wood drinks cabinet in the corner and began rooting around. “Looks like the folks have a decent-looking bottle of 12-Year-Old Scotch in here. Join me for a sip?”
“Sure.” He got down two whiskey glasses and filled them with ice, holding them out while Violet poured them each a measure. Then he followed his sister back to the seating area, opting to share the couch with her rather than to reprise his former position in the easy chair. “So what’s up with you?” he asked. “You dating?”
“Meh,” she said dismissively. “Nothing worth going on about. I was seeing someone nice for a while, but she migrated to Spain. I’m more interested inyourlife.How’s my nephew? Studying for his MBA yet?”
He laughed. “Well, he’s started crawling around and holding on to furniture to stand up.”
“So, a little while longer ‘till college then,” she giggled.
Justin loved the sound of his sister’s laughter. It made him feel so connected, so grounded, especially in times of upheaval.
“Is he eating solid food yet?”
“Sure is.”
“And what about Jalissa?”
“She’s eating solid food, too,” he answered flippantly.
“You know that’s not what I mean,” she chided him.
He sobered up a little. “I know.” Then he stared pensively into his drink, momentarily engrossed in the swirling patterns his ice cubes made in the glass.
