His face breaks out into a huge smile. ‘Bye.’
I blow him a final kiss before turning and walking away. I have a huge lump in my throat. I only make it a short distance before Brock calls my name. Halting, I glance at him over my shoulder.
‘For the record, I like being your man.’
BROCK
After washing my face and getting dressed, I head downstairs. I’ll shower and change when I get home since I don’t have any clean clothes with me. I’m hoping Theo is up so I can apologise for being MIA for most of yesterday. I also want to speak with him to see what he knows about Jade’s situation. I have to figure out a way to see her again.
When I reach the landing I hear the sounds of a vacuum, so I head in that direction.
‘Good morning, sir,’ the elderly lady says when she sees me standing in the doorway. ‘Is there something I can help you with?’
‘I’m actually looking for Theo.’
‘Last time I saw Mr James,’ she replies, ‘he was sitting out by the pool, having breakfast.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Here’s the man of the hour,’ Theo calls out as I walk onto the patio. ‘Come join me for breakfast.’
‘What do you mean?’ I ask as I take a seat opposite him and reach for a piece of melon from the large serving dish sitting in the middle of the table.
‘I walked Jade out to her driver when she left. She gave me a quick lowdown on you two. Should I be pissed off with you for getting it on with my girl?’
‘She’s not your fucking girl,’ I grumble defensively, and he laughs. She’s mine.
‘I’m just messing with you. She’s great. She needs a good guy like you in her life. You are a good guy, aren’t you?’ There’s a touch of humour laced with scepticism in his voice.
I seriously contemplate my reply. Overall I’d say I’m a good guy. Yes, I’ve used women for sex in the past, but the majority of them were using me as well. For one thing or another, anyway. Jade is different. I care for her and would never do anything intentionally to hurt her, so I guess my answer to his question would be yes.
‘I’m not using her and I’d never hurt her, if that’s what you mean. I like her.’ I pause. ‘Really like her.’ Why do I feel so unmanly for admitting that to another guy? I’m not good with this type of shit. I don’t usually do feelings.
‘I’m glad, because she really likes you too. She’s had a pretty shitty life, so I need to make sure your intentions are honourable. She means a lot to me. I don’t want to see her hurt.’
I nod as I try to take in everything he just said. ‘What’s the go with her, anyway?’
‘What do you mean? Going on last night, it sounds like you know her better than I do.’ He chuckles but I’m not amused. I give him a warning look. I’ve never been the type of guy to kiss and tell, but even more so with Jade.
‘How long have you known her? Do you know much about her life?’ I ask.
‘Jade and I have been friends for about four years now.’
‘And?’
‘And what?’ he says with a shrug. He seems like a nice guy, but his evasiveness is getting on my nerves. ‘The things she’s told me are in confidence. I’d never betray her trust like that, just like I know she would never betray mine.’
‘Fair enough.’ As much as I’d like more information on her, I totally respect him for that. ‘I need to figure out a way to see her again. She told me her madam pretty much controls her.’
‘Good luck with that one. M’s a bitch. Poor Jade can’t do anything without her permission. The way I see it, the only way you could swing that would be to hire her.’
I was afraid that might be the case.
‘I want more than that,’ I admit, and I’m not even surprised that I do. The last few weeks have proven how miserable I am without her. I like the way Jade makes me feel when we’re together. She’s like a breath of fresh air. ‘Why does she allow herself to be controlled like that?’
‘Because she’s loyal and she has a contract.’
‘A contract to control her life?’
‘Basically.’
‘That’s totally fucked up,’ I say, as my brow furrows. Who’d sign over their life to someone else?
‘Tell me about it. M has brainwashed Jade into thinking she owes her, or some bullshit like that.’
‘What do you mean?’ His words only make my concern for Jade escalate.
‘Look, I’ve said way too much. If Jade wants you to know more, she’ll tell you herself.’
For the next few days my thoughts are solely about Jade. I’m desperate to see her again. I left Theo’s house on Sunday with her madam’s business card, and I’ve spent the majority of my time finding out everything I can about Madam Melody Sinclair, which isn’t much. It appears this woman goes to great lengths to cover her tracks. So why does her name sound familiar?