Living on a lakeshore, Devin had already decided to get Amelia accustomed to the water as early as possible. She might as well make the best of being a prisoner at the Demarcos.
Do anything you want, Lucas answered without opening his eyes. Ill make sure the staff all know who you are. The cooks will help you with breakfast, or you can feel free to make whatever you want. Give them a list of foods for Amelia, or yourself for that matter. Try out the horses, take out a boat, swim, play tennis
Amelias a little young for tennis.
I meant you. Theres an army of people here who can babysit.
Teresa is listening to the baby monitor right now, Devin said.
It felt supremely self-indulgent to take advantage of the Demarco staff, but without Lexi next door, Devin knew shed need at least occasional help. Hopefully, the times would be few and far between. Shed needed to tire herself out before bed tonight, but she certainly wouldnt be abandoning Amelia to take tennis lessons.
Id like to spend some time with Amelia, said Lucas.
His statement caught Devins attention. Why?
Lucas opened his eyes and turned. Shes my niece.
Youre afraid of her.
I am not, he denied. Okay, Im a little afraid of the slimy bits.
Devin fought a smirk. The slimy bits are what make her a baby.
I prefer clean, dry babies.
Those are called adults.
Lucas frowned. I want her to get to know me.
I know. So I wont have an advantage over you in court. She shook her head and gave a dry chuckle. Shes not a puppy, Lucas. Were not going to put her down between us and see who she runs to.
Lucass eyes hardened, but he didnt answer.
She helped herself to a slice of kiwi. But how very Machiavellian of you to think that way.
Shes Konrads daughter. All traces of humor and friendliness were gone from his voice.
And a ten-percent shareholder of Pacific Robotics. I understand completely.
His jaw tightened, and a muscle ticked next to his eye. You havent a clue.
Oh, but she did.
While he might occasionally appear to let his guard down, Lucas was single-minded in his objective. And that objective was Amelia. And Devin was the only protection the little girl had.
Three
Amelia kicked her tiny feet and gurgled happily in the Demarcos pool the following afternoon. She looked darling in a red-and-white striped bathing suit, and shed taken immediately to splashing and ducking.
I may have a solution, said Lexi on a happy sigh from where she was bobbing around in the deep end on a yellow air mattress. She wore a turquoise one-piece that accented her healthy body. Lexi wasnt one to exercise, but she was on the go so much that she stayed in great shape. A pair of big sunglasses covered her eyes.
Whats your solution? Devin asked, smiling as she blew a puff of air into Amelias face. The baby sucked in a breath and scrunched her eyes shut, then Devin gently ducked her underwater.
Lucas can adopt me instead.
What a great idea, Devin singsonged as she lifted Amelia back out of the water.
The baby squealed and kicked in delight, nearly wiggling out of Devins grasp.
A win for you, said Lexi. A win for me.
Not so much for me, Lucas said in a dry voice.
Lexi popped her sunglasses up onto her head to squint at Lucas where he stood on the deck, while Devin turned in the pool so that she faced him. He should have looked out of place in his business suit, feet braced apart, tie neatly knotted at his throat. But for some reason, the outfit made Devin self-conscious of her aqua-colored bikini instead.
Lexi didnt miss a beat. I dont see why not. I dont throw temper tantrums, and Im fully potty-trained.
I can vouch for that, said Devin.
Lucas shook his head, apparently unamused. Ill be out for an hour or so. Do you need anything?
Were fine, said Devin, keeping her attention on Amelia, wishing she didnt find Lucas so attractive. She had absolutely no business thinking about him as anything other than an enemy.
She could feel Lucass gaze on her for a long moment. Then she heard him turn away, and she dared to look up as he took the staircase to the concrete pathway, walked past the garden, below the sprawling oak tree, and disappeared into the mansion.
Hes even better looking than Konrad. Lexi sighed.
You think? asked Devin, taking Amelias chubby hands in hers and drawing the baby forward in a front float.
Dont pretend you didnt notice, Lexi admonished, lying back and stroking a hand through the water, recentering herself in the deep end of the pool.
I didnt notice, Devin lied. I was too busy fighting him in court.
Doesnt mean you cant look.
It means theres absolutely nothing about the man that I like.
I liked his ass, teased Lexi. Then you are a cougar.
And I am sorely disappointed to hear that, came a drawling voice, a clear thread of amusement running through it.
Devin glanced up to see Byron, arms crossed over his chest, feet planted firmly apart, staring openly at Lexi while she sunbathed. He wore faded blue jeans, a denim shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of brown cowboy boots.
Eyes front, old man, said Lexi with a waggle of her finger. Im not here for your visual entertainment.
Byron didnt look away.
Devin lifted Amelia from the water and cradled her cool body against her chest. Byron, this is my friend Lexi. Lexi, Byron is Lucass what do I call you? Widowed stepfather?
Id say we can go with friend, Byron responded, still staring openly at Lexi where she lay on the air mattress.
Lexi pushed her sunglasses back up to the top of her head and propped herself on one elbow. Do you have a reason for being here?
Devin coughed out a laugh at Lexis blunt manner. I believe I do. He turned his attention to Devin. I was hoping to have a little talk with you, young lady.
Devin hesitated, not really anxious to be grilled by Byron. About.? she asked.
Come on up here, and Ill tell you all about it. Devin stayed put.
Im not gonna bite you, he assured her with a grin. She glanced down at Amelia and saw that the tiny girl was worn out. They were going to have to get out of the water soon anyway. And she had a feeling Byron would wait.
Why not? she muttered. The man clearly had something to say. She might as well get this over with. She made her way toward the wide staircase at the end of the pool.
She took a butter-yellow towel from the rack at the edge of the pool deck and wrapped it around Amelia to keep her from getting chilled.
Byron watched her approach. Then he gestured to a lounge chair. Devin accepted his offer, stretching out her legs, draping the ends of the big towel across her bare stomach and thighs.
The sun was warm on her wet limbs and her rapidly drying hair.
As Byron sat down in the lounger on the other side of a small square table, his glance flicked critically to Lexi. Devin didnt offer to ask Lexi to leave. Whatever the man had to say, he could say in front of her friend.
As Byron sat down in the lounger on the other side of a small square table, his glance flicked critically to Lexi. Devin didnt offer to ask Lexi to leave. Whatever the man had to say, he could say in front of her friend.
Byron seemed to accept the situation. I hear tell youve met Steve Foster.
I have. She focused her attention on adjusting the towel, making sure Amelias pale, delicate skin was protected from the sun.
After a moment, she looked back up into the silence to see Byron regarding her with penetrating hazel eyes and a grim line of a mouth.
You know theres been some trouble between those boys.
Devin gave a small shrug. Steves helping me out. Lucas is fighting against me. Is that the trouble youre talking about?
Water sloshed in the pool as Lexi came off the air mattress.
More to it than that, Byron corrected. Devin steadfastly met his gaze. Anything else is none of my business.
Id be willin to bet that it is.
She shook her head in denial as Lexi made her way through the shallow end and out of the pool.
Youre the latest pawn in a feud that goes back a considerable long time.
Im not going to be anybodys pawn. Devin couldnt care less about the emotional and financial entanglements of the Demarco family. She was fighting for Amelia, and that was the end of it.
What is it youve got in mind for an endgame? Devin didnt understand.
Lexi wrapped a towel, sarong-style, around her dripping wet body and slicked back her blond hair as she moved toward them.
Byrons gaze tracked Lexi until she sat down. Then he glanced back to Devin. What is it youre hoping to get out of this?
Amelia, Devin answered.
Byrons skepticism came through in his squint. He leaned forward. Just between you, me and the hitching post? Devin leaned toward him. Amelia, she repeated. There was a long pause.
And you think ol Steve can give you a hand with that.
We think hes the only one whos offered, said Lexi, from the lounger next to Devin.
Byron stared first at Lexi and then at Devin. And why do you supposed hes offered to help?
Devin kept her voice low since Amelia was drifting off to sleep. I dont particularly care.
Steves lawyers were giving her a fighting chance against Lucas.
Altruism? Byron mocked.
A concept youre obviously unfamiliar with, Lexi retorted.
Byron ignored Lexi and spoke directly to Devin. Hes sidling up to you like some slick ol polecat. He helps you now. You help him later. If you know what I mean.
Devin blinked. Have I done something to make you think Im stupid?
Byron drew back in obvious surprise.
Im taking Steves offer at face value. I havent made him a single promise.
In fact, shed offered an outright deal to Lucas to manage the shares if hed let her keep Amelia, but he didnt trust her enough to agree.
And who was to say Steve was the bad guy in this little family drama anyway? So far, shed put the black hat firmly on Lucass head. He was the one whod plotted with Konrad to trick Monica and produce an heir to their grandfathers company shares. Devin hadnt forgotten that.
Steve would steal your last dollar as soon as look at you, Byron warned.
As opposed to Lucas? she asked.
Lucas lets you see him coming.
Devin gave a nod to that. Lucas had certainly been up front about the fact that he wanted to take Amelia away from her. Hed also been pretty clear that his interest in the baby was financial.
Devin found her hold tightening on Amelia.
Listen up, said Byron, shifting in the lounger so he faced Devin more directly.
No, you listen up, Lexi interrupted. You are not going to convince Devin to give up her lawyers.
I had no intention
Of course you did. Thats what this whole pretty, dont trust the evil Steve speech was leading up to. And its not going to work.
Im simply suggesting she might want to be careful.
Lexi crossed her arms over her chest. With a glance at Amelias sleeping form, she lowered her voice. We are being careful. She paused. We dont trust anyone including you.
Devin agreed with Lexi on that point. There wasnt a single member of the Demarco family she could afford to trust. She was on her own in this. Well, except for Lexi.
Byron heaved a large sigh. I guess theres nothing left for me to say.
No, Lexi agreed. Theres not.
Byron glanced back to Devin. Im on your side.
She coughed out a laugh of disbelief. Youre on Lucass side.
Lucas is an honorable man.
An honorable man wouldnt try to rip an innocent baby from the arms of her loving aunt.
Byrons gaze moved briefly to the sleeping Amelia and then back to Devin. Youre here, arent you?
It was his Hail Mary play in court, she responded. He only made the offer because he knew the judge was about to rule for me.
Byron came to his feet. He gave his head a small shake, making a clicking sound in his cheek that transmitted his disagreement with her statement. You cant trust Steve, he said simply.
Funny, Lexi responded. Thats exactly what Steve says about the rest of you.
You cannot leave Amelia with these people, Lexi stage-whispered after Byron had disappeared into the house. No kidding, Devin responded.
She poured herself a glass of iced tea from a pitcher that someone had placed on the table. Devin felt a twinge of guilt for letting herself be waited on by the Demarco staff. But she was thirsty, and she didnt want to disturb Amelia.
Lexi followed suit. Why cant rich people be nice? she asked as the ice cubes clinked against her glass. If I was rich, Id still be nice.
That should be my new book proposal, Devin mused, getting another twinge of guilt when she talked about writing. She was behind on her manuscript, and her deadline was looming. Nice and Rich, she said, trying a title on for size. The Art of Doing Them Both Together. It actually wasnt half-bad.
Lexi lifted her glass in a mock toast. The rich truly do need your help.
Devin grimaced. Unfortunately, I dont know the first thing about being rich.
Take a look at all this, said Lexi, gesturing in a circle. What better place to do your research?
Devin rolled the idea around in her head.
She glanced from the pool to the tennis courts, the private dock and boathouse, and the humongous mansion that required a map to navigate. It didnt get much richer than this. And the Demarcos were certainly prime examples of nasty.
Her editor would probably be a lot more forgiving of a late manuscript if she had another book idea in the hopper.
Here he comes again, Lexi intoned.
Byron? Devin resisted the urge to twist her head to see the staircase behind her.
Lucas. Lexi took a sip of the iced tea, leaned back and adjusted the damp towel. You might want to start taking notes.
Devin couldnt help a calculating smirk as Lucas made his way across the pool deck. She wondered how hed feel about starring in her next book.