Page 80 of The Grump I Got Stuck With

“We’re done here,” I said, getting to my feet.

“Oh, so soon?” she said, pouting at me. “You don’t want to stay for tea?”

“Go to hell, Jessica,” I said, shoving my way out the door. I stalked down the hall, desperate for air—and a shower. Just being near the woman made me feel dirty. I crossed through the lobby of the station and marched out the doors, determined to get the hell out of London, but the moment I hit the pavement, I was swarmed.

“ALISTAIR! ALISTAIR SHAW!”

Click. Click. Click.

Even though I’d known to expect it, it was still just as wretched as I remembered. I hadn’t bloody missed this one bit.

“You went running right back to her, didn’t you? How does it feel to be the easiest mark in the country?”

Where was the fucking car? I glanced up and down the street. Alfie had assured me it would be waiting.

Click. Click. Click.

A black SUV came tearing around the corner. Thank Christ.

I stalked toward it, photographers still getting in my face. I didn’t know why the hell they needed a photo of the inside of my nostrils.

“Do you give all your girlfriends access to your bank accounts?”

I pushed past them, ignoring the voices and the demanding questions.

“Tell us about the new woman in your life! Is blonde more your type now?”

I froze for a beat, glancing at one of the journalists. Fuck. Had they already figured out that I was seeing Madison?

“What’s your response to the things the blonde said about you?”

Things she’d said? What did that mean? Madison couldn’t have already spoken to the bloody press. She’d been with Kenna all day. I shook off their questions and my own spiraling thoughts. I couldn’t let them distract me from getting away as fast as bloody possible. Get in the car, I told myself. Don’t even acknowledge them.

“Is this rebound real or a PR stunt?” a voice called.

“Are your business associates panicking yet?” another piped up.

“How does your daughter feel about you replacing her mother with a new girlfriend? Does she call her mummy yet?”

I yanked on the car door, seeing red. It was bad enough they were coming after me; I wasn’t going to let any of those vultures near my daughter. Not ever again. I needed to protect her. “Anyone claiming to be my girlfriend is lying,” I snarled in reaction. “I don’t have a bloody girlfriend.”

“So you’re saying she’s no one to you?”

“She’s just the nanny!” I climbed into the car and slammed the door, signaling my driver. “Get us the fuck out of here!”

24

MADISON

“All right,” I said, patting the spot on the bed next to me. “Hop in. Time to sleep.”

Kenna gave me a coy grin, then took a running leap at her bed, diving into the giant nest the comforter had been bunched into. “That was my best one!” she declared, popping up. “Did you see how high I was?”

I nodded in agreement. “You’re headed for high jump at the Summer Olympics, girl. But for now, it’s time for a good night’s sleep. C’mon, get cozy.”

She snuggled down beneath the comforter, her hair still curly from unraveling her braids. “Princess!” she called. A beat later, the dog dashed into the room, hopping up on the bed, tail wagging as she licked Kenna. Squeals of delight filled the room.

“Okay, okay,” I said. “Let’s take it down a notch, you two. It’s time to chill.”