Page 31 of Owned By a Billionaire

Then Caroline spoke, bringing me back to the present. “I hope this isn’t too rambunctious for you.”

I smiled. “The piano recital was worth it. You’ve got a prodigy in the making with Cian.”

She gave me a dismissive smile like one might at an exaggeration. Despite her many foibles, hubris wasn’t one of them.

“So what did Reynard want, if you don’t mind me asking?”

We were still rather formal with each other on occasions, especially around matters relating to Reynard Crisp.

Her lips formed a tight line. She would not let me in. Again.

I held nothing but contempt for that loathsome creature whom I sensed had something over her—the details of which she refused to share.

Yes, there were plenty of hidden skeletons in Caroline’s cupboard.

I couldn’t talk, however, because when it came to skeletons, mine rattled around too. I just hoped they’d remain hidden, only the closer we became, the more that secret little closet of mine slowly creaked open.

“Was he here about the police investigation regarding that woman’s remains?” I asked.

I was scant on details, but from what I’d gathered, the remains belonged to a girl who’d disappeared after a party at her deceased husband’s London home.

“Yes.”

I held her hand. “You know you can talk to me, don’t you?”

Her eyes held mine for one of those prolonged, enigmatic gazes.

“London. Tomorrow. Same place?” I asked, knowing that something salacious might lift her spirits.

“Yes.” Her face brightened a little.

She rose and went to Declan. Caroline only ever shared her problems with her eldest son, whose attitude toward me was a little strained, to put it mildly. He had good cause to be suspicious.

After a brief comment to her son, Caroline turned back to me and crooked her finger.

I forgot what I was thinking and lifted myself off the couch to follow her out of that crowded family room, ogling her curvy ass.

Wild horses couldn’t drag me away from her, especially when her inner vixen made a show.

Chapter 10

Caroline

“You’renowagreat-grandmother,it would seem.” Savanah sat on the sofa in my office-come-library with her newborn, Lilly, suckling her nipple.

“That makes me sound old.”

“You just started young, Mummy.”

I thought about myself as that confused seventeen-year-old giving birth to Bethany, who, despite everything, had delivered unto me a bright and increasingly indispensable granddaughter. Manon, with her take-no-nonsense approach, was more like me than any of my children, especially since she’d shed that mean-streets upbringing. Not only did we share the same features, but Manon possessed an eye for detail and was driven to become something more than just a wife and a mother.

Manon was now running Merivale almost single-handedly and doing a fine job at it. Something I discovered upon my return from Como. I’d only meant for my holiday with Cary to be one week, but I’d fallen in love, not just with the man that little more, but also with his delightful villa. The honey-bricked house, despite having only three bedrooms and two bathrooms, sat right on that enchanting lake.

I hadn’t wanted to leave. A first for me. I’d always been so attached to Merivale. Even my trips abroad or to London made me homesick. Como, however, was entirely different. Waking up in Cary’s arms to sunshine, warmth, and delicious Italian cuisine was like a dream come true.

“Are Manon and Drake to marry?” I asked.

Savanah nodded. “Mannie mentioned she would wait until her body had returned to shape for the photos.”

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