Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2)

Three years later

The girls said we could drop them off at the school’s curb and Presley thirded the motion, saying the building wasn’t that big. But I vetoed that idea. No way am I going to abandon them to fumble their own way to their classroom. Maybe in a few weeks . . . or years . . . but definitely not today.

It’s their very first day of kindergarten, after all. The first time they’ve been away from home all day long without me, Presley, or Francine.

As we escort them through the halls, I’m fidgeting like crazy, twisting my wedding ring around and around my finger. “You sure you’ve got your lunches in your backpacks? You know what to do if you need to come home?”

“Call Franny,” Emilia answers dutifully. Lacey is already distracted, taking in the colorful posters and noisy crowd all around us with a wide-eyed grin.

“And do you remember her number?”

“Um . . .”

“Dom,” Presley says. “Relax. The teacher has Francine’s number. And our numbers, and their pediatrician’s, and the National Guard’s . . .”

I frown. “I know that. It’s just an extra precaution.”

“And this is just a school—a private school, even,” she says. “It’s only until three. Francine will pick them up and take them home, and we’ll see them again tonight.”

“You say ‘only three,’ but that’s six hours away. What if they miss us during the day? What if they need help using the potty? What if the other kids are mean? What if they don’t eat their lunch? You know they’ve been so picky lately. What if—”

Presley squeezes my shoulder, loving but firm. “Honey. Chill out. Stop acting like we’re throwing them to the wolves.”

“Wolves? Can I see?” Emilia asks.

“It’s only a figure of speech, honey. The only wolves around here are at the zoo.”

“I’m perfectly chill,” I say, frowning. “But we have to be sure they’re ready.”

“Somehow I don’t think they’re the ones who aren’t ready,” Presley teases. “Seriously, they can handle it. They’re more than old enough, and they did great in preschool.”

“But preschool was only a half day. This might—”

“I’m a big girl,” Lacey says.

I quite agree.” Presley squats down. “Show me on

for a few moments, Lacey holds

how many

same instant Emilia answers

shoulder at me before asking them, “And how much do Mommy and Daddy and Franny

shout, flinging their arms open

right.” She hugs them, then stands up again. “See? They’re rocket scientists.” She lays her hand gently on my arm. “We always knew we’d

arms around my hips, Emilia says, “Don’t cry,

be okay!” Lacey says,

to laugh at how thoroughly we’ve switched roles here. “Thanks, you two. But for your information, I’m

I am totally about to cry. What’s

you ready, girls?”

the frosted glass, I can just barely see the blobs of color that belong to our precious daughters. Then they

back. “Poor thing. You’re going to be useless at the office today, aren’t

“Oh, hush,” I grunt.

love this side to you. It’s adorable.”

heated look. “Did

chuckles, lacing her fingers through mine. “Yes. But don’t worry, I’ll

her exquisite diamond ring. It

beams at me. “Always and

• • •

office. Thankfully, my calendar is mostly clear. I suspect that she and Beth had something to do with that fact,

her after we arrive. She’s no longer the director of operations, she now runs the entire international

calendar and see that she has a lunch with her friend Bianca in a little while. Bianca got married last spring and is pregnant with her first

We have a six o’clock dinner with Presley’s dad, Grandpa George,

that she was part of my future—and that I did deserve to be loved—now my

a familiar voice calls

on in,” I say, glancing up to spot Oliver lingering at

last year he caught me bending Presley over my desk. In our defense, it was after hours, and we assumed everyone was gone for the day. Thankfully, he didn’t catch a glimpse of anything more than my bare ass. Though I guess that was enough to traumatize

it safe?” he