Fidelity (Infidelity #5)

“We don’t need to know more,” Lennox said with a grin as he turned to Angelina. “Now, my little princess, which package do you want to deliver next?”

“This one,” she said, pointing at a small red gift with a green bow.

Lennox read the tag. “That one says it’s to you from me.”

“It does?” She wasted no time ripping the paper and opening the hinged box. “Oh, look, Mommy, it’s a necklace like yours.”

Alexandria smiled and nodded. “It’s just like mine. Your daddy’s kind of overprotective.”

“Does that mean you love us?”

Lennox secured the chain around Angelina’s neck and kissed her forehead. “It means I love you very much.”

“Because we’re your princesses?”

“Yes!”

“But what about my brother?” Her little face scrunched in question. “Will Nic get one too? Boys don’t wear necklaces like this.”

Lennox shrugged, giving Alexandria a smile. “I’m sure Deloris can figure out something. And when you, Miss Angi…” He pointed to her nose. “…are a teenager, we’ll make you a necklace like your mommy’s other one.”

Alexandria laughed and she shook her head. “I don’t know. There might be a few things we’d rather not hear.”





“DAD, ARE YOU sure it isn’t time for you to go back to London or maybe Savannah?”

“You’re stuck with us until our grandson arrives,” Oren said with a grin.

I eyed him up and down. “I do admit, this family-man thing is looking good on you.”

“I know… I should have tried it sooner.”

I shrugged. “Better late than never.”

“Now back to what I was saying. Higgins lost the reelection, but Carroll is still in. That finance bill we fought five years ago was pocket change compared to some of the shit they have ready to be heard.”

“It’s good that Higgins is out. He was dirty anyway. I’m surprised he made the last term.”

Oren shook his head as he leaned back in the chair across the desk from me. “I’m learning more and more about Georgia politics. There’s some good people, but the old guard is hard to oust.”

“One at a time, I suppose.”

“Have you spoken to Carroll?”

“I have,” I admitted. “The distribution centers we opened a few years ago are working three shifts a day. But you’re right, the new national bill could seriously hurt us by taking away the tax breaks we were given.”

“Those were guaranteed for ten years.”

“What is that in political years?”

Oren nodded. “I think it’s time to court the new elected officials. We need to concentrate on the states that have supported business in the past. We have more than Demetri now. We have Montague now too.”

“I don’t feel right…”

“Why? It’s your wife’s company. We’re not at odds. We want the same things.”

“Lennox,” Silvia said as she opened the door. Her brown eyes were wide with concern.

I jumped to my feet. “What is it?”

“Alex didn’t want me to say anything, but I can’t keep quiet any longer. She needs to get to the hospital.”

My gaze met Dad’s as we both rushed toward the doorway. “Have you called Clayton?”

“Yes, he’s getting the car.”

I stopped and looked at Silvia. “Will that be all right or do you think we should call an ambulance?”

“He’s here now. Go. Jane and I have Angi. You all go up to Mount Sinai and keep us posted.”

Charli held tightly to my hand as Clayton navigated the wet roads, getting us all closer to Mount Sinai Hospital. I’d called her OB/GYN and he was meeting us there.

“You’re going to be just fine,” I said for the hundredth time.

Charli exhaled in puffs as she nodded. “This happened faster than last time. I was barely feeling it and now…” Her words trailed away as her eyes closed and she blew again.

I peered out the windows. “We’re almost there.”

“Oh, Nox.” She reached for her stomach.

As she did, I did too. It was hard, rock-hard. “Princess, it’s a contraction. Squeeze my hand and blow.”

“I know what it is!”

Oren and Adelaide’s eyes grew wide as they pretended to watch the passing traffic.

“Clayton!” I called, not knowing what to say to my wife, the woman who was about ready to break every bone in my hand. I’d used that hand to break bones. I’d used it to give pleasure. I’d even rocked our daughter holding her in that hand.

All I could think about was that I’d never be able to do any of that again. Not with the pressure she was applying. I’d be rocking little Nic with a cast around my fingers.

Finally, the car came to a stop outside the emergency room doors. Lying in wait was a team of orderlies and nurses. “Mrs. Demetri?” one man in scrubs asked.

“Yes,” I answered as I helped Charli from the car to the waiting wheelchair.

“Sir, come with us,” he said as he reached for Charli’s wheelchair. “Mrs. Demetri is already registered. Let’s get you all up to Labor and Delivery.”

A few minutes later, I paced back and forth while Charli’s doctor performed all the necessary steps. I expected him to say we had a long haul in front of us. I expected the speech we’d gotten with Angelina about how babies have their own sense of urgency.