Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 65137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“You don’t,” Caldwell agreed, to his surprise. “But at first glance, you look startlingly like her, enough to fool the hazy memory of a small child. That’s what we want: a strong reaction from Liam, something to break him out of his shell. He showed some reaction to Regina’s pictures, so seeing you in the flesh might have the desired effect.”
“Okay,” Miles said, despite his misgivings. He got to his feet. “When are we leaving?”
As they got into the back of Caldwell’s car and Caldwell ordered his driver to drive them home, Miles looked out the window, pretending not to notice Caldwell’s intent eyes on his face.
Miles balled his hands in his lap.
Why are you still looking at me?
Chapter 5
It probably shouldn’t have surprised Miles that Caldwell lived in a mansion that made even Rutledge Manor seem like a modest house.
Miles hoped he didn’t look too wide-eyed, but he probably did.
“Do you live alone in this… house?” he said as they walked toward the front door.
“Me and my son,” Caldwell said.
“That’s a big house for one man and a toddler,” Miles said.
Caldwell gave a careless shrug, loosening his tie as he pushed the door open. “This house has been in my family for centuries.”
That Miles had been able to deduce without being told. Everything about this man screamed of old money and privileged upbringing. He carried himself with the sort of confidence and power that came naturally to one who was descended from many generations of wealth and status. Ian Caldwell might be a brilliant businessman and CEO, but he wasn’t by any means self-made.
“Don’t you have any family left?” Miles said, following his boss deeper into the enormous house.
His boss. It was still difficult for Miles to see this man as his boss. He kept completely forgetting to address him as “Mr. Caldwell.” Ironically, the fact that Caldwell was so bossy and stern made Miles feel very comfortable around him. Right at home, he thought with some amusement, thinking of his eldest brother.
Except Caldwell’s company didn’t feel brotherly at all. Miles wasn’t sure what it felt like, but ‘brother’ was the last thing he associated with the man.
“Mr. Caldwell!”
Miles’s head snapped up. An elderly woman was rushing down the grand stairs, an anxious look on her kind face. “We didn’t expect you home so early,” she said, frowning. “Is something wrong?” She finally glanced at Miles and then did a double take, her brown eyes widening.
“No, Winifred,” Caldwell said, taking his suit jacket off and handing it to the woman. “Is Liam awake?”
Winifred nodded. “He’s in his room,” she said quietly, shooting a curious look at Miles.
“This is my new assistant, Miles Hardaway,” Caldwell said, laying a hand on Miles’s shoulder. “This is my housekeeper, Winifred Danvers.” His hand moved to the middle of Miles’s back and pushed slightly. “Let’s go.”
Miles allowed himself to be steered toward the room on the third floor.
As they stopped in front of the door, Miles turned to Caldwell. “Just a small warning,” he said with a rueful smile. “I’m not very good with kids. My sister’s son calls me his least favorite uncle for a reason.”
Caldwell didn’t look fazed. “You’re not required to make friends with him. You won’t be here long enough for that anyway. You’re just something of a shock therapy.”
Miles snorted. “Yeah, let’s hope it works, because my skills with kids are non-existent.”
Caldwell steered him into the room.
It was large, beautiful, and very bright. There were toys all over the room, every type one could possibly imagine, so many that the room looked like a toy store. A very expensive toy store.
For a moment, Miles thought the housekeeper must be mistaken and the kid wasn’t actually in the room.
But then he saw him.
A tiny boy was peeking out from behind a huge toy garage, his blue eyes wide and wary, a mop of dark hair framing his pale face. He was adorable. The cutest thing Miles had ever seen. And the air of vulnerability and uncertainty about him tugged at Miles’s heartstrings in a way no other child ever had.
Miles found himself walking forward and dropping to his knees in front of the boy. “Hey there,” he said softly.
The boy—Liam—stared at him.
He had his father’s eyes, Miles thought distantly as he smiled at the kid. “My name is Miles. What is your name?”
The boy didn’t say anything. Just stared at Miles. Another thing he had in common with his father.
When the silence stretched and it was clear that Liam wasn’t going to react to him in any way, Miles felt more disappointed than he probably should have.
“I told you it wouldn’t work,” he said over his shoulder at Caldwell and got to his feet.
Or tried to.
A tiny hand grabbed his arm.
Caldwell inhaled sharply, his body tense. Don’t fuck it up, his expression said.