“He loves you.”
“And he’s grown to care for you,” she returns. “I didn’t have much faith in your union, I must admit.”
I’m not surprised, but I don’t say that out loud.
“The two of you have proven me wrong, and I like that.” She narrows her eyes, watching me carefully. “If I was a betting woman I would say you’re pregnant, from that rosy glow I see on your cheeks, but I don’t want to speak out of turn.”
Tinsley bursts out laughing. “When do you ever care if you’re speaking out of turn? You open your mouth and say the wrong thing all of the time.”
“I do not,” Caroline says, sounding offended.
“You do.” Tinsley glances over at me. “Help me out here, Charlotte.”
“No way.” I shake my head, smiling. “I’m not getting involved in this argument.”
“She’s a smart girl,” Caroline says. “And if you want to remain smart, Charlotte, take heed of these words: remain loyal to my son, and you won’t have any problems. When Perry loves, he loves hard. I don’t want to see you hurt him.”
Wait a second. Is she threatening me? Does she know something I don’t?
“I take my marriage vows very seriously,” I tell her, my gaze never leaving Caroline’s. “I plan on being a loyal wife to your son for the rest of my days, as long as he’ll have me.”
Her smile is small, her blue eyes, so like Perry’s, sparkling with pleasure. “Perfect. I’m glad we understand then.”
“We do,” I say firmly.
The server arrives at our table with our lunches and the subject is changed, but I can’t help but think of what Caroline said about Perry. That when he loves, he loves hard.
And I want that. I want to be loved and cherished by Perry. I want to belong to him, and to his family. I can be a Constantine.
Just watch me.
Chapter Nineteen
Perry
I’m on thephone, my gaze stuck on the clock and wishing I could get the hell out of here when my brother bursts into my office without knocking and immediately starts talking.
“We found him,” Winston announces, his expression grim.
I sit up, covering the phone to glare at him. “I’m on the phone.”
“Get the fuck off. Now. We foundhim,” he repeats. “Seamus McTiernan. Myron tracked him down.”
“Wait a minute.” I hold up my index finger, returning my attention to the financial investor I’ve currently got on the phone. “Hey, something came up. Can I call you back? Okay, thanks. Yes. Sounds good.”
I hang up the phone, devoting my full attention to Winston, who is currently pacing in front of my desk. “Start at the beginning. Myron found McDicklick?”
Winston pauses, rearing his head back at my insult. “Huh. Creative, I’ll give you that. Yes, he foundMcDicklick, as you call him. You’ll never believe where that motherfucker’s at.”
“Manhattan,” I toss out there because come on. That makes the most sense. Why run away when you can hide in plain sight? Isn’t that how the old saying goes? Or something like that?
“Close.” He pauses for effect. “Brooklyn.”
I actually hate that I was right. Knowing he’s been so close the entire time makes my blood boil. I clench my hands into fists, wishing the asshole was in my office as we speak so I could sock him in his stupid face.
“I assume Myron is tailing him and we know where he’s at this exact moment.” I reach for my phone, about to text my wife but I reconsider it.
No need to freak her out.