The Black Sheep's Redemption. Lynette Eason

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       “No.” She glanced out the window. “I just continue to have flashes of some things, but nothing I can put my finger on. And if I try too hard, I get terrible headaches.”

       “Then don’t try. It’ll happen when it happens. That scab on the edge of your hairline looks pretty bad.”

       Self-conscious, she raised a hand to touch it. It had mostly healed and she thought it was looking better.

       He must have caught her look because he was quick to say, “Hey, I’m sorry, I wasn’t saying it looked bad…bad. It was just a medical observation. I just meant that it was obvious that you suffered a pretty traumatic injury.”

       “Oh.” She lowered her hand to clasp it in the other one.

       The car slowed and he parked in front of The Reading Nook. The quaint bookstore owned and operated by his sister, Fiona. Demi’s apartment was upstairs above the store.

       Before she could get out, he said, “Wait a minute, Demi.”

       She turned expectantly.

       He tapped his thumb on the steering wheel then said, “You know, when I interviewed you, the fact that you had amnesia put me off a bit. I mean, how could I trust my children to someone who can’t even remember who she is?”

       She lifted a brow. “Are you sorry you did?”

       “No, of course not.” His quick response reassured her. “But I do have a confession to make.”

       Her brow lifted. “What’s that?”

      * * *

       He cleared his throat. “I have to be honest. I had Owen run a background check on you. On the name you gave me, anyway.”

       She tilted her head. “I figured you probably had. You’re not the type to just hand over your children to someone you haven’t looked into.”

       He nodded. “Nothing came up, of course. But more importantly, your fingerprints weren’t in the system.”

       “The nurses in the hospital gave me my last name. I remembered my first name, but that was it.” She let out a deep breath. “When I came to in the hospital, the police also tried running my fingerprints. Again, they came up empty, but assured me that might be a good thing. At least I’m not in the criminal database.”

       At the feeble joke, Charles felt himself smiling.

       Another shrug. “I don’t blame you for doing a background check on me.”

       He let out a long sigh. “Good, because I was going crazy feeling like I was lying to you. Part of me was afraid you’d be furious.”

       “No. I would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed.” Her soft voice pulled him to her. Delicate features framed with honey-blond hair drew him like bees to honey. Her emerald-green eyes wanted to ensnare him. Innocence and gentleness radiated from her. He’d definitely made the right choice in hiring her.

       “It’s only been a week, and the twins already adore you,” he said.

       A gentle smile pulled at her lips. “The feeling’s mutual.”

       There was something about her that he liked. Trusted. Wanted to know more about.

       But not tonight.

       “Come on, I’ll walk you up.” He climbed out of the truck and walked around to help Demi out.

       “So, Fitzgerald,” the voice to his left said, “is this your next innocent victim?”

      THREE

      Charles whirled. “Burke, what are you doing here?”

       “Just enjoying a little walk. Reveling in my freedom, taking in the taste of the night air.” His gaze hardened. “Wondering why criminals are allowed to roam free, given another opportunity to prey on more innocent women.”

       Burke Hennessy. A lawyer and his father’s rival for mayor. Burke and Judge Ronald Monroe, who was rumored to be considering a run for mayor, were two peas in a pod. Fitzgerald Bay would be in major trouble should Burke win the election.

       Charles held his tongue long enough to get it under control. Then he said, “Knock it off, Burke. This is Demi Taylor. She’s the children’s nanny.”

       “Yes, I’d heard you managed to talk someone into taking the position.” Burke smirked and eyed Demi. “Be careful about following in Olivia’s footsteps. Especially if they’re along the edge of some steep cliffs.”

       Charles felt his fingers curl into a tight fist. With effort, he loosened it and forced a smile. He would not sink to this man’s level—or do anything to mess up his father’s chances to beat Burke in the election. “Nice to see you, too, Burke. Now if you’ll excuse us…”

       He placed his hand on Demi’s rigid back and tried to usher her into the rear entrance of the bookstore.

       Burke stepped in front of them, anger smoldering just beneath the surface. Charles felt the tension in his shoulders escalate. Burke jabbed a finger at him. “You know you should be in jail. If the main suspect was anyone else not related to the almighty Fitzgeralds, that person would be rotting in a cell right now.”

       “And if there were any proof that I’d killed Olivia, I’d be there, family or no family. But there’s no proof because I didn’t kill her. Get out of the way, Burke. Now.”

       Demi walked away from the two of them, pulling her keys from her purse. Charles swallowed hard. Was she scared? Repulsed? Had she decided Burke was right and that she was placing herself in danger by just being in his company?

       He remembered the look in her eyes when she’d said she believed him. No, it was something else.

       Turning his back on Hennessy, Charles followed Demi. He saw her hands shaking as she unlocked the door and slipped inside.

       “You haven’t heard the last of this, Fitzgerald!” Burke hollered.

       Charles didn’t bother to turn around and waste any more time or breath on the man. “Demi?” She stopped on the steps and looked back down at him. The fear in her eyes cut him. “Hey, I’m so sorry.”

       “No. Don’t apologize. It wasn’t you,” she said with a shudder. “I had a flash of something. Of violence and anger and…and I just had to get away from that man.”

       Charles hurried up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. “I understand. I was in a bit of a hurry to get away from him myself.”

       “Is he gone?”

       “Yes, I think so. I didn’t stick around to make sure.”

       She took a deep breath and lifted a brow. “Too busy trying not to smash his nose?”

       Charles jerked then gave a surprised laugh. “You noticed?”

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