I land at my desk and spend the rest of my Tuesday clearing the buildup of paperwork.
Six o’clock comes around fast, and I’m the last the leave the office. Patrick didn’t return to work as planned, but called to assure me that he’d be in tomorrow. I’ll talk to him then, but I’m disappointed. I feel the compulsion to rid myself of this burden without delay.
I get straight into the big black Range Rover without a sigh, falter, or complaint. “Hi, John.”
“Girl.” He pulls off into the traffic. “How was your day?”
“Constructive. Yours?”
“Magnificent.”
I get the feeling he’s being cynical. “Where are we going?” I slouch back in my chair, hoping he says Lusso, but I won’t hold my breath. Jesse would’ve collected me himself if we were going home.
“The Manor, girl. How did it go with your boss?” He flicks his covered eyes to me, a curious look traveling across his face.
“It didn’t. He wasn’t in today.”
“That’ll please the crazy motherfucker.” He laughs.
I smile my agreement. I know it will.
I jump out the second John pulls to a stop and take the steps fast, pushing my way through the doors. “He said to wait in the bar for him, girl,” John calls to my back, but I pretend not to hear him. I’m not waiting in the bar. After having him to myself for three whole days, my first day back at work has been the longest ever. I hotfoot it past the stairs and through the summer room before John can catch me. The usual gatherings of members are here, but I don’t hang around to gauge the reaction to my presence.
I steam straight into Jesse’s office, without knocking and without stopping to think that I could be barging in on a business meeting. I’ve had some shocks when doing this before.
And I’m shocked now.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Dan?” I say warily, staring at my brother’s back. He’s sitting opposite Jesse at his desk, and he turns at the sound of his name. “What are you doing here?” The sudden astronomical consequences of his visit hit me hard.
“Hey, kiddo.” He stands, all smiling, and makes his way over to me, stooping to hug me. “Congratulations.”
“I might get to tell someone myself soon,” I grumble, landing Jesse with a reproachful look over my brother’s shoulder. He shrugs sheepishly and pouts before mouthing I love you.
“So what are you doing here?” I repeat, cocking my head at Jesse, but he just shrugs again and remains quiet. It’s a novelty.
“Making amends.” Dan releases me and runs his hand through his dark mop. “I didn’t want to go home without sorting this out.”
“Oh?” I look at Jesse again, who just shrugs…again. “So you’re friends?”
“Something like that. Anyway, I need to shoot. I’m meeting Harvey up west.” He turns to Jesse. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Jesse nods, not bothering to be civil and stand to see Dan out. That and all of the nonchalant shrugs are increasing my suspicion.
“When are you heading back?” I ask when he’s facing me again.
“I’m not sure. Depends on flights. I’ll call you, okay?” He kisses my cheek and heads past me, meeting the big guy at the door. John shakes his menacing head at me before escorting my brother from Jesse’s office.
I point my suspiciousness at Jesse. “What was all that about?”
“What?”
I walk over to the sofa and drop my bag down before taking the seat my brother has just vacated. “Look at me.” Those three words always do the trick, but not because he’s obeying me. It’s because he’s always shocked to hear them. I don’t care. He can look at me stunned all he likes. “Why was Dan here?”
He stands and picks his phone up from the desk. “He apologized.”
I laugh in his face. Dan would never apologize, not to Jesse. I’ve known him my whole life, and I know he’s far too proud to back down. “I don’t believe you.”
“That makes me sad, baby.” He pulls a solemn face, which raises my suspicions further. “Now, tell me. What did Patrick say?”
I know my suspicious glower has just transformed into guilt, and it’s me evading his eyes now.
“You’ve not told him, have you?” he asks with 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 to him then.”
“Too late, lady. You’ve had your chance. Again and again and again.”
“That’s not fair,” I argue. “I told Mikael I won’t be working with him anymore, so you can’t say I’m not trying to resolve this.” I know immediately that I’ve made a grave mistake when his shoulders stiffen and his greens widen.