Veronica shook her head. "But why?"
I spoke up. "Because,dumb-ass,you lost the kid."
Veronica turned pleading eyes on Chase. "Don't you have something to say?"
Oh, for fuck's sake.I could guess what this meant.Chase was screwing the damn nanny.
Again.
In reply to her question, Chase told her, "Yeah. Pack your shit, like Mason said."
Her mouth fell open. "My shit?" she sputtered. "I'll have you know, I have nice stuff." She turned accusing eyes on Mason. "That's why you hired me, wasn't it? To be a good role model?"
I knew what she was getting at. Veronica might be hard as nails, but she looked all prim and proper in her form-fitting skirt and nice, white blouse. She'd been on the job for only three months, and she wouldn't be missed.
Mason gave her a cold look. "Role model, my ass."
"But—"
"You were hired to look after Willow. You failed." He glanced at his watch. "A driver's on the way."
"A driver?" she said. "What kind of driver?"
"The kind that'll take your ass out of here."
"To where?"
"Don't know, don't care," Mason said. "And if you want a severance, you'll be out by nine o'clock."
She perked up. "A severance?"
"That's what I said." Again, Mason glanced at his watch. "You've got eighty minutes. And just so we're clear, if it takes you eight-one, you get nothing."
"But–"
"So if I were you," Mason said, "I'd get your ass in gear."
He didn't need to tell her twice. Even in high heels, she was sprinting for the stairs.
When she disappeared from sight, Mason turned away, heading toward his study.
And me – I strode after him. Because this conversationwasn'tover.
Chapter 60
Arden
As Cami and I walked back to the crew house, I felt lower than I had in a long time. And considering how low I'd been feeling lately, that was truly saying something.
I gave Cami a sideways glance. Normally, she was the most upbeat person I'd ever met. But now, she trudged along beside me looking nearly as depressed as I felt.
With an apologetic smile, I said, "I bet I know what you're thinking."
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
I forced a laugh. "Worst vacation, ever."
She shook her head. "Nah. It wasn't so bad."
