Page 19 of Innocent Salvation

“I’m sorry it took me two days. I was in the US on a case.”

“It’s fine. I’m not altogether sure I need your services, but my nanny gave me your number after an incident at my office.” Sebastian went on to tell the man about Margaret and his job and his concern for Fleur.

“I agree caution is a good idea. A person with your profile, and especially with your job, is always going to be a target for people wanting revenge or idiots seeking to make a name for themselves. Has there been any direct threats or any concerns you haven’t mentioned?”

Sebastian knew he couldn’t reveal anything else to this man, he didn’t know him well enough, and the Duponts were highly respected around the world. “Nothing to speak of and nothing in the last few years, but it’s not my safety I’m concerned about. I have custody of my niece and she means everything to me.”

“In that case, I’d recommend a PPO, a personal protection officer and a full security review.”

Sebastian knew what both of those were, having worked in the criminal justice system long enough. “How soon can you get someone over to see me?”

“I’ll send two of my men down first thing in the morning. Is nine okay?”

“Yes, I’ll be working from home until the middle of next week.”

“Mr Allen and Mr McCullum will see you then.”

Sebastian hung up feeling like he was doing the right thing for his family, and somehow in the last week that had begun to include Ms Goubert. She was getting under his skin, and he wasn’t sure what to do about it, having never suffered from such an affliction before.

The fort was uncomfortable, cramped, and he felt ridiculous, and yet the smile on Fleur’s and Snow’s faces made the cramp in his leg worth it. With Fleur cuddled between them on the large cushions from the couch, laughing at something Buzz Lightyear did on the screen, he relished this time knowing his sister would never get to experience it.

His eyes caught on the curve of Snow’s neck, how it sloped down with elegance and grace into the swell of her breasts that teased him. The dress was perfectly appropriate, and he was ashamed of his behaviour when they’d first met. None of what she wore was to tempt him and to anyone else, it wouldn’t even cause a second glance but on her, it set his blood to lava and made his skin prickle with need. Perhaps it was just her and the spell she’d cast on him from the very beginning.

At that moment she turned and gifted him the most radiant genuine smile he’d ever been on the receiving end of and if he hadn’t been sitting on his ass, he’d have staggered back from the effect.

He knew she had secrets, but she also had an innocence to her that called on the most protective part of him. As their eyes locked, he could feel everything fall away around them, as if they were the only two people in the world and whatever connection was arcing between them seemed to hold them both in its spell.

The air seemed to sizzle and flicker, and he knew if it wasn’t for Fleur, he’d have her nanny on the cushions while he pleasured her until her only thought was him, until he consumed her in a base way. He knew the risk would be that she’d then own parts of him he wasn’t prepared to give away, but he wasn’t sure he could stop her from stealing them if she so wished.

Fleur tapped his face, forcing his attention to her and he broke the connection that had made his heartbeat like a drum.

“Can we watch more?”

Sebastian lifted Fleur onto his lap and kissed her head. “No, princess, it’s time for bed, but maybe we can make this a regular thing. Friday night is movie night.”

“Yes.” The little girl clapped her hands, the action making him smile, something he’d done more in the last six months than in his entire life.

“Why don’t you put Fleur to bed, and I’ll clean up down here.”

He glanced at Snow and was grateful to have found her, not just because Fleur liked her but because he did too. “Thank you.”

Fleur pouted. “I want you and Snow to put me to bed together.”

He frowned, about to shake his head. “How about I come up after I’ve cleaned up and give you a quick story and then you go straight to sleep. You have ballet in the morning.”

“Are you taking me?”

“No, I have to run a few errands, but we can do something after if you want?”

“Okay, fine.”

Sebastian smothered a chuckle at his niece’s long-suffering tone and tried not to think about what the errands might be or if she was meeting someone. Jealousy was an ugly emotion and not one he’d ever suffered from, and he certainly had no right to feel it toward Snow. She was nothing to him, just the nanny, an employee like Mrs Lewis was. Even as he thought it, he knew he was full of shit. Everything about this was different, he just didn’t know how or what it meant yet.

Striding for the stairs he tossed Fleur over his shoulder fireman style and relished the belly laugh that erupted from her “Come on up the apples and pears.”

“You’re funny, Uncy Seb.”

“And you’re a rascal pants. Go get your pyjamas on and brush your teeth and I’ll be in to say goodnight.”