[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Yours? Magnificent. he rumbles.I get the feeling he s being cynical. Where are we going? I slouch back inmy chair, hoping he says Lusso, but Iwon t hold my breath.Jesse would vecollected me himself if we were goinghome. The Manor, girl.How did it go with yourboss? He flicks his covered eyes to me, acurious look flickering across his face. It didn t.He wasn t in today. That ll please the crazy mother fucker.He laughs.I smile my agreement.I know it will, but Ican t tell Patrick if he s not there to tell.Ican t be blamed for it, but at least I cansay that I ve told Mikael.That ll show myintention was there, and it really was.* * *I jump out the second John pulls to a stopand take the steps fast, unlocking andpushing my way through the doors. Hesaid to wait in the bar for him, girl. Johncalls to my back, but I pretend not to hearhim.I m not waiting in the bar.After having him to myself for three days, myfirst day back at work has been the longestever.I hot foot it past the stairs, towardsthe back of The Manor and through thesummer room before John can catch me.The usual gatherings of members are here,but I don t hang around to gage thereaction to my presence.I steam straight into Jesse s office, withoutknocking and without stopping to think thatI could be barging in on a businessmeeting.I ve had some shocks when doingthis before.And I m shocked now. Chapter 28 Dan? I say warily, staring at my brothersback.He s sitting opposite Jesse at hisdesk, and he turns at the sound of hisname. What are you doing here? Thesudden astronomical consequences of hisvisit hits me hard. Hey, kiddo. He stands, all smiling, andmakes his way over to me, stooping to hugme. Congratulations. I might get to tell someone myself soon. Igrumble, landing Jesse with a reproachfullook over my brother s shoulder.Heshrugs sheepishly and pouts beforemouthing I love you and pulling at his suit jacket, and then his shirt, as if remindingme that he dressed in what I asked thismorning, so I should go easy on him. So what are you doing here? I repeat,cocking my head at Jesse, but he justshrugs again and remains quiet.It s anovelty. Making amends. Dan releases me andruns his hand through his dark mop. Ididn t want to go home without sortingthis out. Oh? I look at Jesse, but damn him he justshrugs again. So you re friends? Something like that.Anyway, I need toshoot.I m meeting Harvey up west. He turns to Jesse. Thanks. No problem. Jesse nods, not bothering tobe civil and stand to see Dan out.That andthe nonchalant shrugs leaves me verysuspicious. When are you heading back? I ask whenhe s facing me again. I m not sure.Depends on flights.I ll callyou, okay. He kisses my cheek and headspast me, meeting the big guy at the door.John shakes his menacing head at mebefore escorting my brother from Jesse soffice.What s he doing here, anyway?I point my suspiciousness at Jesse, and Iknow he knows what I m thinking because he s refusing to meet my eyes. What wasall that about? What?I walk over to the sofa and drop my bagdown before taking the seat my brotherhas just vacated. Look at me. I demand.Those three words always do the trick, butnot because he s obeying me.It s becausehe s always shocked to hear them.I don tcare.He can look at me stunned all helikes. Why was Dan here?He stands and picks his phone up from thedesk. He apologised.I laugh in his face.Dan would neverapologise, not to Jesse.I ve known him my whole life, and I know he s far tooproud to back down, especially to a manlike Jesse.Dan feels inferior, as most mendo.Just because he s my brother, doesn teliminate the testosterone batting betweenthem. I don t believe you. That makes me sad, baby. He pulls asolemn face, which raises my suspicionsfurther. Now, tell me.What did Patricksay?I know my suspicious glower has justtransformed into guilt, and it s me evadinghis eyes now. You ve not told him, have you? he askswith an edge of anger in his tone. Ava? He wasn t in the office, I blurt quickly. But he will be tomorrow, so I ll speak tohim then. Too late, lady.You ve had your chance.Again and again and again. That s not fair. I argue. I told Mikael Iwon t be working with him anymore, soyou can t say I m not trying to resolvethis. I know immediately that I ve made agrave mistake when his shoulders stiffenand his greens widen. You did what? I don t think he drugged me, Jesse.Hesaid he wanted me, so why would he hurtme? I need to shut the hell up.Those words have just made his mouth dropopen. What the fucking hell are you doingtalking to him? He rests his fist on thedesk, like a silver backed gorilla gettingready to charge.It makes me sit back inmy chair. He knows that you ve& I start a frantictap on my front tooth with my nail, entertained other women while we vebeen together. I hold my breath, knowingthat I m increasing the building fury. We agreed never to speak of that again.He virtually grinds the words out, his jawtense to snapping point. It s hard when people keep reminding meof it. I m leaning forward now, finding amomentary spurt of braveness
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
