There were only a couple of weeks until the custody hearing, and she hadnt found anything in the rest of the house. Staff were either loyal to Konrad, or they had genuinely loved the man. Nobody had a bad word to say, and they all seemed to think Monica had been happy back then.
Devin waited until Lucas had left the mansion, and until Lexi, her stalwart partner in crime, had Byrons attention again at the pool. Hed put on a bathing suit today and joined her in the water. Devin was sure shed get an earful about that from Lexi later tonight.
But, for now, she had Lucass room in her crosshairs. Teresa turned out to be a godsend. Shed offered to take Amelia out in her stroller, up to the stable area where they could watch the horses. Amelia seemed fascinated by anything that moved.
The hallway was quiet outside Lucass room.
Devin gingerly grasped the door handle, holding her breath as she gave it a turn. But the mechanism clicked, and the latch gave way. The wide door swung open in front of her.
She gazed inside his inner sanctum, squelching the surge of guilt that washed through her stomach. This was even harder than it had been yesterday in Konrads room. But there might be evidence in here that could help Amelia.
She forced herself to take a giant step inside. She pushed the door firmly shut, hearing the latch click back into place. Then she leaned back against the cool, solid wood while she gazed around the room.
It was rectangular. The ceiling was high, and the windows numerous, giving the room a light, airy feel. Leafy, dark green plants bracketed a set of glass doors that led to a balcony. A cream-colored sofa provided a centerpiece to a sitting area. The floor was polished maple, while the curtains and bedding shimmered with gold and emerald-green threads.
Devin was surprised to find the pale green wall panels lined with family portraits. For a few minutes, her attention was distracted as she peered at an old photo of a couple who were obviously Lucas and Konrads parents. There were photos of Lucas and Konrad as young boys, and one of an older man that she strongly suspected was the grandfather whod willed Amelia his shares in the company.
There was a portrait of Konrad and Monica that Devin had never seen. Monica was sitting in an elegant chair, wearing a low-cut, frosted pink, satin evening gown. Konrad stood behind her, a hand on her shoulder. He wore a tux with a pocket kerchief that matched the dress. It took a confident man to pull off pink satin.
Devin couldnt help wondering why theyd dressed up. Was it a party? One of the charity balls? Had Konrad written a large check that night to a worthy cause? Monica would have liked that about the Demarco family.
Devin found her fingertips going to the picture. They did look happy in this. It occurred to her for the first time that Konrad might have fooled Lucas along with everyone else.
But then she remembered the conversation her sister had overheard. Thered been no doubt that Lucas was aware of Konrads plot to get Monica pregnant. Hed called it brilliant, laughed at how theyd thwarted their cousin Steve. Not that Devin blamed them for wanting to thwart cousin Steve. But they didnt get to do it at the expense of Monica or any other unsuspecting woman.
Her gaze caught a photo of Konrad and Amelia. He was dressed casually, in jeans and T-shirt and, unlike the posed pictures, he was obviously unaware of the camera. Baby Amelia was asleep in her fathers arms, her little hand wrapped around his index finger, mouth pursed and eyes closed. The expression of reverence on Konrads face told Devin that hed loved Amelia. Dearly.
Devin armed herself against the unexpected onslaught of emotion. Konrad loving Amelia didnt change the current circumstances.
Next to the picture, in a bay-windowed alcove, she spotted a computer sitting on a small desk and immediately she realized the potential. The brothers could easily have communicated by email. And, here in his bedroom, Lucas might not have protected his computer with a password.
If the messages went back far enough, she might find exactly what she was looking for.
She quickly sat down at the desk, swiveled the chair and pressed a key.
The screen came to life, and it was already on Lucass email account.
Devins heart thudded in excitement, and she rubbed her hands together. She scrolled down his folder list, easily finding a directory called Konrad. She clicked it and found hundreds of messages. It was a gold mine.
All she had to do was find the right date range, the time when Konrad first met Monica. Once there, she found a message labeled date. It seemed promising, so she double-clicked to open it.
Remember that girl? the text read. Ill be late tonight. Youre going to love her.
Devin sat back.
The girl was likely Monica. And Lucas was going to love her because she was the perfect patsy.
Devin opened the response from Lucas.
Go for it, this one read. Remember, Im counting on you.
That was it. The smoking gun. Lucas was counting on Konrad to con Monica into marrying him and having his baby.
Devin opened the next message in the thread.
Start without me, Konrad had written. Im staying until she kicks me out.
Start without him? What did that mean?
Devin glanced around for a printer, knowing she needed to print a copy of these. There it was. On top of a wooden file cabinet. She left the computer to turn it on.
Then she returned, clicking the final message in the thread that was labeled date.
The Legion called about the estate was Lucass response. Theyre thrilled to help with the scholarship. God, I miss him already.
Devin blinked. Scholarship? Legion? Lucas had to be talking about his grandfathers estate. Theyd obviously set up-
A sick feeling hit Devin square in the pit of her stomach, and she staggered to her feet, backing away from the computer.
What was the matter with her? She was sitting here reading Lucass private mail. No matter what the justification, her behavior was appalling. She couldnt do this. She couldnt use this information.
-ready to head back in ten minutes, Lucass voice sounded from the hallway.
Pure panic engulfed Devin.
She was about to be caught. Again. By Lucas.
She glanced wildly around the big room, searching for somewhere to hide.
Ill meet you out front, Lucas continued, his voice closer now.
Devins ears rang, her heart contracted and sweat burst out on her palms. Seconds from now he was going to walk in and catch her invading his privacy. She had no explanation, no defense. Hed be furious, and hed be right.
The big four-poster bed had her trapped. It blocked her path to the closet, to the bathroom, even to where she could duck behind the couch.
In a split-second decision, she leaped to the bed, laid back on the pillows and crossed her bare legs in front of her.
Lucas opened the door and froze.
Hi, there, she breathed. She batted her lashes in what she hoped was a come hither expression.
What the
I heard you come in, she bluffed, hoping against hope that it wouldnt twig on him she was dressed in a cotton tank top and shorts, hardly an outfit designed for seduction.
Devin? His gaze darted curiously around the room.
Amelias with Teresa, she continued. And, I thought She let her voice trail off meaningfully, patting the bed beside her, hoping she didnt look like a complete idiot.
Shed never done anything remotely like this before in her life. And she was mortified to be doing it now. She smoothed back her hair and moistened her lips.
Lucas shut the door behind himself, taking a few steps forward. I dont understand.
I missed you, she lied.
Ive only been gone an hour.
I mean, I missed you. She slid one bare leg up against the other, pointing her toe.
Are you all right?
Okay, she was starting to get insulted here. Am I not doing this right?
Depends on what youre doing.
She held her palms out to the sides. Grab a clue.
He moved closer still, cocking his head while he considered her. Let me see. Youre in my bedroom. Youre lying on my bed. Youre telling me the baby is otherwise occupied.
Gold star so far.
He stopped at the edge of the bed. Devin, are you trying to seduce me?
Im obviously not doing it well. She told her ego to get over it. She didnt want to succeed here. She wanted to fail.
She wanted him to politely tell her he had work to do and hed see her later. At which time, she would be completely occupied with Amelia. Or maybe shed go out. Maybe shed stay out all night, or at least late enough that hed have to be asleep before she showed up.
Youre doing just fine, he told her. Im surprised is all.
Good, she lied, forcing herself to relax as she gave him another bright smile.
He perched on the edge of the bed. Was this a spontaneous decision?
Yes, she answered honestly.
He reached out to smooth back her hair. You heard me come home and thought Id like to?
His touch sent a lightning bolt of sexual charged energy down the length of her body. She sat up straight. If youre too busy-
Im not too busy. He shrugged out of his jacket.
Devin swallowed. I mean, you know, this probably isnt the best-
Second thoughts? He loosened his tie.
No. Of course not. I, uh, want this. Oh, no. What now?
I want it, too, he told her huskily, tossing the tie and stretching out beside her on the bed.
Lucas-
He pulled her down, wrapping her in his arms, looking straight into her eyes. Its a very nice surprise, he told her. Then he dipped his head, and his lips touched hers, and her body ignited with white-hot arousal.
His arm wrapped around the small of her back, tugging her body against his own. Her lips automatically parted, and his kiss seemed achingly familiar. In the dim recesses of her mind, she knew she had to bring this to a halt. But reason quickly disappeared, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering to passion.
His hand slipped beneath the hem of her tank top, trailing up her side, his palm surrounding her breast. Her nipple peaked beneath his touch, and her body reflexively arched against him.
He stripped her shirt over her head and feasted his eyes on her white bra. His gaze was searing, taking in every inch of her body, while his hand went to the button on his dress shirt.