store for her, and Devlan granted her the time she needed to pack every piece of luggage that she owned to take to L.A. Toys, stuffed animals, and clothes caused zippers to bulge precariously, so she did not complain when Devlan carried everything down to the car for her with a satisfied grin on his face. Still stunned, she followed behind him in a dreamlike trance, completely unaware that Devlan had no intention of ever letting her go back.
~
Los Angeles International Airport was crowded when they arrived after a short flight in his luxurious private jet. Despite knowing that their arrangement was temporary, Diana could not help but be enthralled with the wonder of it all. Hannah would be in therapy for only a few months, and then they would be back on their own. But it was impossible not to get caught up in the newness of her adventure, especially when Devlan made sure that she was treated with the utmost respect.
She was steered out of the airport into another long limo, this one a Bentley polished to a high gleam. She took note that Devlan stopped and greeted the driver, a young man about twenty or so who sported a deep tan and dark brown hair. Once their brief chatter ceased, he glanced at Diana and gave her a friendly smile, his hand pumping hers enthusiastically.
“Welcome to California, Mrs. Somerset. I’m glad to finally meet you.”
Diana smiled back, instantly liking the young man.
“This is William,” Devlan announced, placing a possessive arm around her waist. As always, he ignored her when she stiffened and attempted to pull away.
“Everyone calls me Wills,” he put in.
“Wills,” she repeated.
“So are we ready?” Devlan asked impatiently.
Secured alone in the back with Devlan again, Diana busied herself by gazing out the window and taking in the crowded scenery while Devlan held his mobile to his ear. She wondered what kind of rate plan he was on, considering every moment that he could he was communicating with someone. To her it appeared exhausting.
“We’re on our way in now. We’re taking the 405 to I10. Traffic’s thick. Did you pick up that item for Mrs. Somerset and confirm the reservations?”
Diana glanced over with a frown, but Devlan only winked at her.
“Yes, and send some flowers to Hannah’s room. We can’t have her feeling left out.”
“I don’t think she’d notice,” Diana said softly.
Shrugging, Devlan turned his attention back to the other speaker. “I don’t care if he’s complaining. Tell him I’ll be in first thing Monday. We can discuss it then. You didn’t book any meetings for the rest of the week did you?” After a slight pause, Devlan ran his hand down his face. “I’ll work on it tonight. You can reach me anytime in Malibu. We’ll be settling in there. Just don’t send me anywhere until next week. This is more important.”
Diana’s brow rose in surprise. Devlan was canceling everything for her daughter? Not many men she had known would do the same, but then again he was once again proving to be unlike the men she was used to.
Careful , the voice in her mind warned again.
“She’s with me now. We’re on our way to the house. It’s all set, right?” He nodded to Diana. “That’s great. Good work, Kath. What would I do without you?”
His warm tone unsettled Diana. She barely knew this man and was already envious of his secretary. As he signed off, Diana turned her attention back to the road. The highways were congested, bumper to bumper with pushy drivers, and the haze was thick, almost obliterating the hills to the northeast and the mountains off in the distance. Los Angeles was everything she had heard it would be. What surprised her most was that she was visiting for the first time in a way she had never expected. This was no family trip to the theme parks and beaches. Instead she was riding in a Bentley to oversee the care of her injured daughter.
“We have a bit of a ride to Malibu, depending on traffic. Would you like a
~
Los Angeles International Airport was crowded when they arrived after a short flight in his luxurious private jet. Despite knowing that their arrangement was temporary, Diana could not help but be enthralled with the wonder of it all. Hannah would be in therapy for only a few months, and then they would be back on their own. But it was impossible not to get caught up in the newness of her adventure, especially when Devlan made sure that she was treated with the utmost respect.
She was steered out of the airport into another long limo, this one a Bentley polished to a high gleam. She took note that Devlan stopped and greeted the driver, a young man about twenty or so who sported a deep tan and dark brown hair. Once their brief chatter ceased, he glanced at Diana and gave her a friendly smile, his hand pumping hers enthusiastically.
“Welcome to California, Mrs. Somerset. I’m glad to finally meet you.”
Diana smiled back, instantly liking the young man.
“This is William,” Devlan announced, placing a possessive arm around her waist. As always, he ignored her when she stiffened and attempted to pull away.
“Everyone calls me Wills,” he put in.
“Wills,” she repeated.
“So are we ready?” Devlan asked impatiently.
Secured alone in the back with Devlan again, Diana busied herself by gazing out the window and taking in the crowded scenery while Devlan held his mobile to his ear. She wondered what kind of rate plan he was on, considering every moment that he could he was communicating with someone. To her it appeared exhausting.
“We’re on our way in now. We’re taking the 405 to I10. Traffic’s thick. Did you pick up that item for Mrs. Somerset and confirm the reservations?”
Diana glanced over with a frown, but Devlan only winked at her.
“Yes, and send some flowers to Hannah’s room. We can’t have her feeling left out.”
“I don’t think she’d notice,” Diana said softly.
Shrugging, Devlan turned his attention back to the other speaker. “I don’t care if he’s complaining. Tell him I’ll be in first thing Monday. We can discuss it then. You didn’t book any meetings for the rest of the week did you?” After a slight pause, Devlan ran his hand down his face. “I’ll work on it tonight. You can reach me anytime in Malibu. We’ll be settling in there. Just don’t send me anywhere until next week. This is more important.”
Diana’s brow rose in surprise. Devlan was canceling everything for her daughter? Not many men she had known would do the same, but then again he was once again proving to be unlike the men she was used to.
Careful , the voice in her mind warned again.
“She’s with me now. We’re on our way to the house. It’s all set, right?” He nodded to Diana. “That’s great. Good work, Kath. What would I do without you?”
His warm tone unsettled Diana. She barely knew this man and was already envious of his secretary. As he signed off, Diana turned her attention back to the road. The highways were congested, bumper to bumper with pushy drivers, and the haze was thick, almost obliterating the hills to the northeast and the mountains off in the distance. Los Angeles was everything she had heard it would be. What surprised her most was that she was visiting for the first time in a way she had never expected. This was no family trip to the theme parks and beaches. Instead she was riding in a Bentley to oversee the care of her injured daughter.
“We have a bit of a ride to Malibu, depending on traffic. Would you like a
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