Page 53 of Papers Don't Lie

ESMERAY

When I woke up five minutes ago, the other part of the bed was empty, and shouts were heard all the way from the first floor. I didn’t like that we went to sleep together and I woke up by myself, but I quickly learn the reason when I hear his voice.

That’s how I end up here at the top of the staircase, trying to get a glimpse of Kai. He’s in the living room, more than twenty people lined up in front of him as he paces side to side, not able to keep his control.

“Do I pay you to sleep when you’re supposed to protect my house and the people inside it?” he asks with a calm I don’t believe he holds. No one says anything; they just shake their heads. “Then where were you when someone broke into my wife’s bedroom?!" he screams, making them flinch. “Where were you?” he screams again. “I’ve always treated you with respect, made sure your working hours weren’t too tiring, and you took advantage of me. Don’t you think I know half of you spend the nights in clubs? But I don’t say anything as long you’re doing your jobs.”

“Sir—” Someone tries to speak, but Kai cuts him off immediately.

“No sir. There’s no explanation for how more than thirty people were fooled by one person. You put my wife in danger. My wife!” If possible, his voice increases more. “Get out of here, and if you believe in God, pray you’ll never see me again.”

With that, all of the men leave without any other word addressed to their ex-boss. Kai sighs, threading a hand through his hair, and I take it as my cue to walk downstairs, still carrying my steps easily, not making too much noise. He drops onto the couch, letting his head fall onto the headrest.

“You fired all of them,” I murmur the moment I reach him.

Even like this, with his eyes closed, I can feel the anger swimming through them, his jaw continuously twitching hard enough that it could break.

He opens his eyes, and it’s enough to understand that unlike me, he didn’t get to sleep all night, or what was left of it anyway. His eyes are burning red, and it might not be only from the lack of rest but a combination of both anger and no sleep.

“Why would I keep them if they can’t do their job? Out of pity?” Kai asks, his gaze surveying my entire body before reaching my face.

“They have families, Kai. It’s not their fault Carter knows what he’s doing,” I tell him, taking a seat down.

Kai huffs, rolling his eyes in his head. “We’re not going to have a fight over this, Esmeray. Your safety and my family’s are in danger. They can’t afford not to do their job and still have it. They’ll be getting a check soon, don’t you worry,” he says, but it’s not meant to comfort me in any way. It's more like it’s said out of spite for the men who just left the room.

Before I have time to say anything else, his father walks into the house through the door that opens to the garden, Lacey under his hand supporting him. He puts his walking stick into the ground, raising his brow at his son.

“Care to explain why was I sent on a walk by my son at seven in the morning?”

Lacey shrugs like she tried to stop him from asking any questions but didn’t succeed. Kai just nods and sits up, hugging his sister. She happily purrs in his arms before stepping out of his embrace and surprising me by wrapping her hands around my body as well.

“Is your brother coming to get you?” Kai asks her, and she looks at me with a smile, accompanied by a wink.

I return the wink, not able to contain my own happiness at this new interaction between us. Did I win her over, or are we not there yet? It’s impossible to think she’s easy to win over with a shopping day and a joke. She seems more profound than that, and I actually like it. When she grows up, she won’t be fooled by a rich man or two sweet words. It’s better to be that way than fall to your knees for a compliment.

“Yes, I’ll go pack my bags.” She smiles. “Can we play FIFA before I go?”

Kai raises his brows. “FIFA?”

Lacey nods, biting her lower lip. “Yes, Kiaran taught me how to play.”

My husband laughs, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “We can once you have your bags packed.”

She claps her hands together, running to the stairs, and I grin at her, keeping my word about making myself busy in the house today so they can spend some time alone.

Their father waits for her to be unseen and to hear the lock of her door before turning his attention to Kai. He takes a few steps further with a frown on his face, and when Kai offers to help him, he refuses him with a movement of his hand. Callum sits down on the chair next to the couch, looking at his son. Even if he’s at a lower level than Kai is, his eyes show so much more dominance.To Callum, you could stand on the Eiffel Tower, but he'd still cut you in half with his gaze only.

“Do I have a reason to be worried?” he asks Kai, who has his hands stuffed in his pants, his eyes stealing a glance at me.

He shakes his head. “No, Dad. I’ve got it covered.”

Callum nods, smiling at me before looking back at Kai. “Good. I believe that if it’s something else involved, you’ll come to me.”

“Of course,” Kai says.

The man whose hair is a grayish white moves his attention to me. It’s only now that I realize I’m still dressed in my pajamas, which are shorter than they should be in front of my husband’s dad.

Instinctively, I drag my shorts lower, flashing him an apologetic smile. He doesn’t seem bothered by my outfit and maybe because he hasn’t seen it—which I’m relieved about, considering he’s looking at me directly in the eyes.

---