“I cannot believe Kristie would leave my daughter with a man neither her nor Evie has ever met,” Anne said so quietly that William leaned forward.
“I’d like to think that was just a bit of good intuition,” William said. “Though, I understand why you’d be concerned.”
Anne stepped outside, swore a few times, and then reentered. William was still there, holding Evie and waiting for Anne’s reaction.
“Give her to me,” Anne ordered.
William replied without even the hint of a snarky comment. Anne kissed the top of Evie’s head and rubbed her back.
“Willum stay,” Evie said.
“No, I think your mum would like me to go now,” William said softly. He touched Evie’s shoulder gently. “Your dress is on the wall. I’ll see you Saturday?”
“You will. I…” Anne pressed her face into Evie’s neck and felt tears starting to prick her eyes. “Thank you, Will.”
“Don’t mention it, love.”
When William was gone, Anne ached. It rolled over her body from her insides out. Pain born of regret and bad luck, and her own stubbornness. If William hadn’t been arrested, would he be there with Evie every day? Would Evie have had her father to hold her and play with her, and give her everything that Anne couldn’t?
Anne had learned at a young age how to get by. But getting by wasn’t thriving. It wasn’t happiness. She just wasn’t sure that she could have that and still do what was best for Evie and Michelle.
Chapter Ten
Anne stepped into the limo waiting for her and looked at William dubiously. He’d styled his hair back, causing him to look more severe, and much more handsome. Still, she had to admit she preferred his hair the way he usually wore it, with minimum styling and a bit wild. She mentioned none of this. She simply took a seat, opened up a file that she’d brought with her, and started talking about the suspects they would be surveilling that night. Mostly men, all rich as sin, and not one that Anne would’ve been able to easily interact with if it were not for the gala.
“Relax, love,” William said, rubbing her shoulders. “You’re a vision. Everything will go smoothly. All you have to do is be friendly and keep your ears pricked, alright?”
She looked down. She couldn’t bring herself to correct William about what was bothering her. She still wasn’t over seeing William and Evie together. This wasn’t the time to start this conversation though.
“I’ve got it,” Anne snapped.
William pulled his hands back and folded them in his lap. “How are the girls doing?”
“Fine.”
“Please don’t be angry with me. I just thought that—”
“I’m not angry with you, William. I’m incredibly pissed at Kristie, but you didn’t—and I can’t believe I’m actually saying this—do anything wrong.” Anne sighed heavily and straightened the fabric of her skirt. “When you’re a parent, things are more complicated. Can we talk about it later? We have a job to do.”
“I understand. Or I think I do, not being a parent myself.”
Was he trying to goad her into talking? Or did he not suspect? She had a hard time believing he didn’t after spending a whole afternoon with Evie. William had a way of prying someone’s dearest secrets out before they even knew what they’d given up. Still…
Anne didn’t have time to dwell on it. They arrived at the gala, a large benefit raising money for children’s medical bills, and William took her hand to help her out of the car. The clicks of multiple cameras and phones serenaded them as Anne took William’s arm and walked into the immense ballroom. Anne had seen a few in her time working on the Vegas beat, but this ballroom seemed to be three times larger than any other on the Strip. Maybe it was the floor-to-ceiling decorations, including a number of acrobats twirling and dancing along scaffolding that had been painted in gold. A fountain had been placed in the center of the room that sparkled pink as it bubbled forth. The men and women glided across the floor as though floating to their destinations.
Anne’s eyes widened so much that they began to water. There were so many things designed to catch the eye that she couldn’t possibly take it all in, and that was saying something for a woman who had lived in Las Vegas all of her life. Even the women’s dresses were a spectacle. They were as ornate as Anne’s was simple, but somehow not as gaudy as dresses with similar sparkle that Anne had seen while patrolling the Strip. The only bit of shiny Anne was wearing were her mother’s diamond earrings and one pin, among many, in her hair that crowned the meticulous up-do that Michelle had arranged for her. Unlike the simple twist-bun she often wore, the hairstyle seemed to elongate her face and make her seem softer, rather than harsher.