“Emmanuel disappeared?” she asks softly.
“Yeah. Credit card receipts put him somewhere in Mexico, last we checked,” I reply. “But we haven’t been able to physically locate him. He’s a slippery bastard.”
“Margot filed for divorce,” Jace adds.
Clara lowers her gaze. “And your father?”
“Still in France. I don’t know when he’ll be back, but he trusts Margot with the business side of things.”
Relief washes over her as she releases a heavy, slow breath. There is a lot that Clara keeps to herself, and I can’t help but wonder what she’s not saying.
Jace places a large, white folder on the desk in front of her. “This contains a summary of each of the six properties we purchased. There is also a brief from the architects, along with schematics and blueprints for the future construction. I also added copies of the original sketches and blueprints for this place. You’ll need them for reference.”
“Thank you. I’ll need a few hours to go over everything,” she says.
“That’s fine. Once we’re done here, I’ll show you to your office. You’ll have everything you need in there,” he replies.
Clara looks surprised. “My office?”
“Yes, and we have a daycare downstairs, just so you know,” I answer. “Certified staff, a nutritionist and a chef for the kids’ meals and snacks, playtime activities, the whole nine yards.”
“Oh, wow.”
“We take care of our people, Clara.”
I need her to understand that this is real, need her to shed the last sliver of doubt she might have about us. I don’t know what happened the night before she left, but I intend to get to the bottom of it.
I intend to make sure she never runs off again.
8
CLARA
As the hours roll by, I settle into my new office.
It’s lovely, spacious and overflowing with natural light, thanks to a pair of huge windows. I get texts from Jodie on an hourly basis. Matty had a small issue with his blood pressure earlier, but the medication helped. According to her latest text, he’s sound asleep.
I pore over the future Vanguard building blueprints. I’m genuinely fascinated by the speed with which Carter’s company has grown. Then again, with Damon and Jace by his side, it shouldn’t be a surprise. They work exceptionally well together.
I’m also relieved that Bill Lockwood is out of the country. May he never return. Because when he does come back, I’ll definitely have to leave.
I flip the page in front of me.
How the hell am I expected to keep my secrets from men like Carter, Damon, and Jace? It’s bad enough I can’t stay awayfrom them. We’re only getting closer, which means they’ll figure me out eventually, and when they do learn the truth…
Oh, God, I think I’m going to be sick.
The mere thought horrifies me.
Just then Jace comes in and closes the door behind him. Suddenly, my fears evaporate—quickly replaced by a mixture of anxiousness and arousal. He looks so good in that dark grey suit.
“How’s it going?” he asks, his piercing blue eyes drilling holes into my soul.
“Good, actually. I think I may have my work cut out for me, though,” I chuckle, pointing at the open folder on my desk. “I understand the visual requirements from Vanguard Mansion and given that your new properties are rather different from one another in terms of terrain and landscape, I’ll have to adapt the original styles to each of these locations.”
“It’s going to be a challenge, then.”
“Challenge accepted,” I say, getting up from my chair.
