Page 33 of The Count
“You know that is not why I’m angry. I gave you a second chance to keep your word and you’ve blown it again. How would you deal with someone in your control defying you at every turn?”
I ducked my chin and inspected the carpet.
“That’s what I thought,” he continued. “But, I’m feeling rather generous toward you at the moment. So…I’m going to offer you one last deal. One more chance to do what you’ve promised.”
I reached for the hem of my shirt. Shame and desire already swirling through me.
He grasped both my hands in one of his. “I don’t mean that.”
“What then?”
He pulled away, lengthening the distance between us as he looked at me. “Tonight, we are going over every single detail. And you’re going to make sure the record has fucking hospital corners it’s so straight.”
Er…what? “My punishment is telling you what you already know?”
He lurched forward anger in his eyes again. “Obviously I don’t know everything since you had half a business tucked away in the corner. And from what I know about your numbers and operation it’s a lucrative one.”
I shrugged. “I said Ash is good at his job.”
He snatched the glass I’d used, refilled it with the double the scotch, and took it with him to the couch. I stood for a minute, and then followed.
He’d asked me what I’d do with someone who defied me this much. Taylor would have already been to see them. Twice.
I kept still and quiet waiting while he drank in small sips next to me. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Can I just ask, what all this is about? Why not kill me. It seems like that would be so much easier. You said I fit into your plans, but so far, all I’ve done is press my tits in men’s faces and smile at their damn stupid jokes. What actual contribution am I making?”
He slumped back into the couch’s embrace. “You’re more than distraction. You’re also disguise.”
Now I was confused. “Disguise?”
He sipped again. “You remember the first dress I bought you? You are part of this world.”
I started to protest, but he held his hand up. “Not in that way, I know. But you fit in with these circles, these people. You know what to wear, what to say. And while I’ve learned all the niceties there is a certain amount of living which seems to go with it.”
Hmm…I hadn’t considered that. How would a man whose been locked up for two decades navigate the top tiers of criminal society? His revelation somehow made me feel a little better about my place there.
I leaned back into the couch and ended up sliding down his indent to lay against his shoulder. When he didn’t push me away, I let myself get comfortable and take his drink.
“You’re not what I expected,” I whispered once the liquid courage lined my throat.
“You are so much more than I expected.”
Then he stood, walked into his room, and shut the door. I stared at it wishing for him to come back out, but he didn’t.
Alone again for both of us.
Thirteen
Eddy
When my alarm sounded for dinner I didn’t move from the edge of my bed. Did I apologize to her about earlier? Did I ignore it all, pretend I didn’t say anything?
I stopped thinking about it, as I had been all afternoon, and walked out into the main room. She already sat at the table. Her hair was twisted in intricate knots on top of her head, her olive skin glowing in the candle light? I looked around, where had the candles come from?
I took my seat and watched her carefully. Like a beautifully painted spider waiting for her moment to strike.
“Stop looking at me like that,” she grumbled dropping her red-lipped smile.
She wasn’t in diamonds and silk, but cotton. The dress hugged every inch of her body, and at the end of her long legs spike red heels that looked like they belonged in an evidence bag.
