His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 181

Virginia pressed her lower lip into a tight line. After two seconds of silence, she shoved her phone into her purse and walked over. "Sorry for the trouble. Where's Toby?"

"Zachary took him home. Let's go."

Since the car was gone, the three of them had to take a taxi back to her apartment.

Throughout the ride, apart from responding to the little girl's occasional chatter, the two adults barely exchanged a word.

Downstairs at the apartment.

The taxi pulled to a smooth stop. Archer stepped out first, walking around to the other side to lift Cindy out of the car.

Cindy wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, refusing to let go, her soft little face nuzzling against his shoulder.

He hadn't said a word the entire way, but Virginia could tell that a man of his aristocratic status was hardly accustomed to riding in cramped cabs.

"Thank you for bringing us back. I'll take her." She reached out to take Cindy.

Her words were a polite dismissal.

Archer's dark gaze grew heavy.

"I'll walk you up."

"That won't be necessary, Mr. Vanderbilt, you-"

Without waiting for her to finish, Archer turned and walked straight toward the building entrance.

Virginia pressed her lips together, deciding not to argue, and quickly caught up with him.

Cradled in his strong arms, Cindy leaned forward, reaching out for Virginia. A warm smile graced Virginia's face as she raised her hand in response.

But in the very next second, before she could react, Archer intercepted her raised hand, wrapping his long fingers around hers.

His palm was broad and dry, radiating a searing body heat. His grip wasn't painful, but it was unyielding, leaving her no room to pull away.

Virginia's body stiffened, her eyes instinctively darting around their surroundings.

She lowered her voice, a sharp warning in her tone. "Archer!"

He didn't let go.

Virginia stopped in her tracks.

Cindy's eyes instantly lit up. She dropped Virginia's hand and sprinted straight toward him.

"Mr. Archer! Are you buying things too?"

Archer cast his gaze down, reaching out to gently ruffle her soft hair. "Yes. Just passing through."

Passing through the exact neighborhood they lived in? With a shopping cart? A cart that conveniently contained the exact brand of bear cookies and strawberry yogurt Cindy had begged for last time?

Virginia chose not to expose his obvious lie and slowly pushed her cart over.

Cindy grabbed Archer's large hand, pulling him toward the freezer section. The moment they arrived, she pressed herself against the ice cream display, her little face so close to the glass that her breath left a patch of white frost.

"Mr. Archer, I want this one! The strawberry one!"

"Cindy, remember last time when your tummy hurt from eating too much ice cream? Did you forget?" Virginia frowned from behind them, her eyes full of resistance.

"But, but I really want it. Just one little bite, please?" The little girl blinked her big, watery eyes, vigorously shaking Archer's hand. Her unspoken plea was painfully obvious: she needed him to be her accomplice.