Their Soul Mate [The Hot Millionaires #5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Zara Chase Page B

grandmother’s bank statements. She’d been paying for her care up until her death. I rang them and they said that a Mary Elizabeth Everton with your mother’s date of birth is still a resident there.”
    “So who’s paying for her keep now?” Zac asked, his eyes still glued to the picture. “And why all the secrecy?”
    “I don’t know the answer to either of those questions,” Justine said, her attitude marginally thawing.
    “Do you know what’s wrong with her?”
    Justine and Cody shared a glance, and it was Cody who answered. “Apparently, it’s a facility for patients with severe mental disabilities,” he said softly.
    Zac absorbed this latest blow in stunned silence.
    “Well done, Justine,” Cody said, filling the heavy silence in a voice that sounded a little too jovial. “You’re a fast worker.”
    If Justine recognized the double entendre, she chose to ignore it.
    “There’s an up-to-date report on all the building work in front of you,” she said, pointing to a neat file Zac hadn’t even noticed on the side of his desk. “You’ve got woodworm in the drawing room panelling. I’ve asked for an estimate to renew the affected area.”
    “We need to go to this Holmwood place tomorrow,” Zac said, not acknowledging Justine’s words.
    “You sure you’re ready for that?” Cody asked.
    Zac shrugged. “I’ve come this far. I need to know.”
    “I’d like to tag along,” Justine said. “I’m curious.”
    “That won’t be necessary,” Zac said frostily.
    “Perhaps not, but I’ve gotten to know your mum over the past few days… Well, that’s how it feels, anyway. I’d like to be there.”
    “Don’t you have more important things to do?” Zac asked. “Sounds to me like you have plans to go back to London with lover boy.”
    “Which goes to show just how little you know me.”
    Justine’s raised voice caused both men to look at her askance.
    “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what was going on in that kitchen,” Zac said.
    “Then it’s just as well that you don’t work for NASA.”
    “Cool it, you two,” Cody said placatingly. “Yelling at each other won’t fix anything.”
    “Not that it’s any of your business,” Justine said, her face flushed red with anger, “but Justin turned up unannounced, and I told him to get lost.”
    “By kissing him?” Zac asked scathingly. “Very effective.”
    “He was kissing me, Einstein. I didn’t ask him to, and I didn’t have a chance to fight him off before you came barging in, jumping to erroneous conclusions.”
    “But I saw you. I—”
    “Did you see my arms round him?”
    Zac thought about it for a minute. “Can’t recall, but I do know that I didn’t see you putting up much of a fight.”
    “Seems to me you saw only what you wanted to see.”
    “What was that about attending a party?” Cody asked.
    “The Mansell reception. The Cornish artist I told you about. The reception is at a gallery in Soho this Friday. I’m still in charge, and there are a few hitches I need to sort.” She hugged her torso. “Jason will use the opportunity to put me down, most like, but I’ll have to attend and deal with it.”
    “Then don’t go,” Cody said.
    “I must. If I say I’ll do a thing then I do it. Mansell is a bit temperamental, but he likes me and listens to what I say. Besides, I need the money because I appear to be out of work again. If I don’t go, Jason will use the excuse not to pay me.” She turned toward the door. “I’ll come with you tomorrow to see your mother and then look for another job.”
    She left the two startled men gaping at her as she left the room and closed the door quietly behind her.
     
    * * * *
     
    Justine absolutely refused to cry. Right now she was probably too angry for tears anyway. It was bad enough that the guys had come home at that precise moment. What were the chances of that? Worse, they’d jumped to conclusions based on a moment’s glance. She threw