“You should have thought about that years ago.” Once more, she stood up, as the waiter returned with her drink. She snatched it off the tray and knocked it back. “Goodbye, Mr Shaw. I hope our paths don’t cross again.”
He grabbed her arm. “Will you tell him?”
“What exactly?”
“That I love him and miss him.”
Her whole demeanour softened toward him.
“If that day comes, and Jensen somehow survived the fall, I will relay your message, but that is all I will do. Now please let go of my arm, I have business to attend to.”
“My apologies and thank you for your time.”
“Goodbye once again, Mr Shaw.”
Zander watched as she exited the bar, knowing he was closer than he had ever been. He’d already arranged to have her followed.
If Jensen showed up anywhere near her, he would know.
Romeo strolled through the arrivals lounge as he felt the phone vibrate in his pocket.
After a twenty-seven-hour flight, he wasn’t in the mood to chat and only wanted to get settled in his new home.
Noting who the caller was, he answered immediately.
“This is a surprise,” he said.
“Then brace yourself for another,” the woman replied.
“Go on.”
“I’ve just had a visit from your brother–he traced your foreign bank accounts and knows you’re alive.”
“Did you confirm it to him?”
“Of course not, but I thought you should know to be extra vigilant. You’re playing a dangerous game.”
“I know what I’m doing, and besides, my sister-in-law has already met the new me and had no idea who I truly am.”
“Still, be careful.”
“What did my brother have to say for himself?”
“That he loves you and misses you.”
“How touching.”
“I think he meant it, Jensen.”
“Don’t ever use that name again,” he hissed.
“I’m sorry, but your brother has me rattled. What if he goes to the authorities?”
“Zander feels guilty, and that is the only reason he is trying to find me. Don’t worry, you’ll be safe, but for now, lie low and don’t contact me again from this number. If you need me, buy a pay as you go device, that way our calls to one another remain untraceable.”
“Okay.”
“I have to go but keep in touch.”
“Stay safe.”
“I always do.”
He disconnected the call and headed toward the exit, before hailing a black cab, to take him to his new home.
Bonus Chapter 3
Surrey, England.
“Come on, darling. We’ve got to go home.”
“Not yet, Mummy,” Sabine groaned. “Please, just five more minutes.”
“Yes, five more minutes.” Poppy always echoed what her sister wanted.
Cammie shook her head. “Five minutes and then we must go. Daddy is on his way home from Australia.”
They cheered in unison, proper Daddy’s girls, the two of them.
I wondered what had taken him to the other side of the world so often of late?
It wasn’t another woman, I knew that for sure.
Still, I didn’t speak to him, or Alyssa for that matter about business. I was a stay at home Mum, content with a role I couldn’t have imagined myself in five years ago. But all that was about to change, albeit temporarily.
Against my better judgement, Zander had convinced me to return to Rich Bitch for three months in order to oversee a bunch of new designers they’d hired. I’d be working closely with my mother-in-law, which was always a bonus.
She had become my best friend and the children worshipped her, and she them. A typical grandmother she wasn’t, but she showered us all with so much love and affection, the fact she wasn’t the sit at home, knitting type didn’t matter one little bit. My own mother was still a pain in the arse where I was concerned, but she doted on the girls nevertheless and relished her role as Nana.
I didn’t want to return to work, but as my husband said, who better for the job than the founder of the company? So, come the following Monday, I’d be whisked away by my driver to central London for a day’s work I was no longer used to. I’d miss my girls, but we’d hired the most amazing Nanny, or Manny, I should say.
We were lucky to find him. Irish by birth, he’d just finished an assignment with a prominent family in Queensland, Australia. He was homesick, so the interview request couldn’t have come at a better time. The girls met him few weeks ago and fell in love with him, as did I. I felt like we’d known each other for a long time.
I’d have asked him to start immediately, but he had to fly back to Australia in order to finalise personal matters before he took up his new post.
Aside from being a nice guy, he was pretty easy on the eye too. I’d even joked with Zander about it, but our new employee was straight to the point when he told me he was gay and in a committed relationship with an American guy serving in the Marines.
“That’s lucky for you, Cammie,” Zander had joked.
“How so?”
“Because had he been straight, you’d have been taking the girls to the office with you.”
I had to laugh. There was no other man I wanted besides my husband.
The girls zoomed down the slide one after the other, giggling with excitement.
“Come on, you two, it’s time to go.”
They pulled a face and reluctantly followed me as my phone began to ring.
I looked at the screen, not knowing the number, but decided to answer it anyway.
“Hello! Camilla Childs-Shaw speaking.” I hated opening a call with that bloody mouthful of a name, but calls were often of a nature not personal, so I was required to keep up the pretence. However, my double-barrelled surname had become more of a hinderance than a help. It was probably time to stop playing the feminist and become plain old, Camilla Shaw once and for all. Zander’s surname was good enough for my children, so it should be good enough for me.
“Mrs Childs-Shaw, how are you?”
“Sorry, but who am I speaking to?
“It’s Romeo Quinn calling.” The broad Irish lilt to his voice was intoxicating. “I wanted to call and make sure you had my new English cell phone number.
“Ah, hello, Romeo. That’s very good of you. How are you?”
“All settled back in the UK and looking forward to starting work.”
“The girls are so excited.”
“I am pleased, which brings me to the reason for my call.”
“Oh? Is everything okay?”
“Fine, yes, but I wondered if you’d object to me starting work tomorrow–give me a chance to get to know the girls with you about the place, that way you can see how I work, then you’ll feel more comfortable returning to your job in the city.”
I smiled. “That sounds wonderful.”
“Fantastic,” Romeo replied. “I’ll see you at eight-thirty in the morning.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
“As will I.”
“Oh, and Romeo, before you go, one more thing.”
“Yes, Mrs Childs-Shaw?”
“Please, just call me Cammie.”
THE END
Acknowledgments
My family – I love you very much.
Gloria. You are simply the best P.A and friend. Thank you!
Carol, Susan & Pat (Team Zane) – You are all wonderful! Thanks for your time and loyalty. Donna & Maggie Jane - Thanks for your support.
All of my friends and supporters in Zane’s Hangout / Zane’s Army & Zane Angels – Thank you for sticking by me and enjoying the ride. You’re all amazing!
My Beta Readers – Tammy, Serena, Jeanette, Gloria, Liz & Marco – Thank you.
Marco & Netta at Junction Publishing – I couldn’t have asked for a better publisher, or more support!
With Love… ZANE x
&nbs
p; About the Author
Zane Michaelson lives in Cheshire, England with his Wife, Jenna and twin girls.
When he isn’t writing, Zane can usually be found at his local gym, or spending quality time with his family.
For more information or just to touch base with Zane you will find him at:
Official Website – www.zanemichaelson.com
Newsletter - http://eepurl.com/dpxQmX
Also by Zane Michaelson
There Are Two Sides to Every Story
(I Know What You’re Doing &
How Does a Moment Last Forever?)
By Zane & Jenna Michaelson
Forbidden Love - The Series
All available now at Amazon
eBook / Paperback / Kindle Unlimited
By Invitation Only- The Series Page 17
