Page 38 of Diego

She slips the key back into the lockbox and straightens. The sun catches in her black hair as she steps away from the door, and I have to make a conscious effort to keep my attention on the house instead of her.

The mansion sits on a wide lot with mature trees, formal landscaping, and enough distance from the neighboring properties that privacy is not much of an issue.

It does not have the complete isolation of the lake house, but Blair addressed that before I could. The rear gardens are enclosed. The entrances are limited. The security system has already been upgraded, and there is enough space around the property that my people could improve the perimeter without turning the place into a fortress.

She thought about all of that.

I follow her down the broad front steps toward the drive. “I’ll admit this one surprised me.”

“That sounds promising.”

“It is.”

Blair looks pleased, though she does not overplay it. “What surprised you?”

“I thought it would feel older.”

“It is older.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I do.” She glances back at the house. “That’s why I picked it. Historic properties can go one of two ways. Some of them are beautiful to look at and miserable to actually live in. This one has been updated enough that you get the character without the plumbing issues.”

I laugh. “A strong selling point.”

“I thought so.”

We reach the car, but neither of us gets in yet. I turn and look at the house one more time.

The lake property had caught me off guard because I never considered that kind of life for myself.

This one is different. I can picture people here almost too easily. Family filling the dining room. Kids running through the back garden. My brothers taking over the library or one of the sitting rooms while everyone else spreads through the rest of the house.

Blair had pointed all of that out as we walked.

The formal dining room could handle the entire family without anyone being squeezed together. The secondary sitting room opened directly toward the garden, which meant children could move between inside and outside while still being visible. There were guest rooms for anyone who stayed late enough not to bother going home, and enough separation between the primary suite and the remainder of the bedrooms that I would still have privacy when the house was full.

She had even pointed out that the garage had additional space above it that could be converted if I ever wanted more room for security or staff.

Randall Shaw thought she was too inexperienced for me.

The more time I spend with her, the more ridiculous that assessment becomes.

Blair rests one hand lightly on the roof of the Aston. “You’re thinking.”

“I do that occasionally.”

“I’m learning.”

I look at her. “You’re very confident for someone whose reputation could have been damaged had you not done well today.”

Her expression shifts just enough that I know I hit something deeper than I intended.

For a second, she says nothing, and I watch the easy confidence in her face morph carefully into a neutral expression.

“Let’s just say I had a lot riding on today going well.”

“How much?”