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‘Well,’ she breathes, taking a casual swig of her drink as she gazes around the Playground. ‘I would say you could get a job here, but, you know, been there and done that.’
I gape at her, and she winks, continuing to rain humour on my overall diabolical situation. I guess if I didn’t laugh, I might cry. ‘You’re fucking hilarious.’ I smack her knee and she smiles a little, placing an upturned hand on the bar for me to take, which I do, squeezing. ‘Thanks for coming.’
‘No sweat.’ She looks down at her work uniform. ‘Though I would have preferred not to be sporting the juices of various vaginas.’
My nose wrinkles, clocking a few spots of faint blood on her front. ‘I’m sure Callum didn’t notice.’
Jess peeks up with a grin. ‘He did, actually. And he asked a bunch of questions like he was really interested in my day. At least he sounded it.’ She looks past me, pouting. ‘I can’t figure him out. I know I irritate him, but the man pushes my buttons. Part of me wants to take that gun he carries and hold it to his head, and the other half wants him to hold it to mine.’
‘While—’
‘He fucks my brain out.’
‘Jess!’ I laugh, and she shrugs, nonchalant.
‘Oh, who’s this? She looks important.’
I crane my neck and see Theo’s mum wandering in from the main entrance, a stack of files under one arm and a gorgeous Chanel purse suspended from the other. The suit screams Chanel, too. The woman is the epitome of class. ‘That’s Judy. Theo’s mum.’ She heads straight for the group of three men in the cordoned-off area and gives the unknown man with Theo and Callum a kiss on the cheek in greeting. The stranger accepts with a huge smile, reaching up to caress her face. The light bulb goes off. ‘That must be her husband,’ I say to myself, watching their exchange intently.
‘Theo’s dad?’
‘No, he died.’ I observe as Judy gives Callum a kiss on the cheek, too, and then she holds her hand out to Theo, who drops his lips to the back in greeting. ‘Her second husband is a cop.’
‘You’re kidding?’ Jess says. ‘Her son carries a gun and runs an illegal club, and her husband is a police officer? Makes perfect sense.’
I hum my agreement, casually sipping my wine as I continue to watch the group talking. ‘I think he might be a bent copper.’ It’s the only explanation.
‘I can see something I’d like to bend.’
Callum looks up, like he could have heard Jess, and she quickly turns back to the bar, her face flaming. ‘Does he have super-powers?’ she asks the marble counter. ‘Because every time I have a filthy thought about him, he looks at me. It freaks me out.’
‘Or maybe he’s on the same wavelength.’
‘Oh, Jesus. I know I’m all bold and brash, but I wouldn’t have a clue what to do with him if he was naked before me. Lick him, fuck him, or dribble on him.’
‘All?’ I laugh, waving a hand at Troy, who tends to us quickly. ‘Thank you.’
‘You feeling any better?’ he asks, indicating the bottle in his hand. It’s empty.
‘Much.’
‘Should I open a new one?’
I look to Jess, who is quick to hold up her glass. ‘Why not,’ she says. ‘I’m on a late shift tomorrow, and Izzy is unemployed. Let’s get shit-faced.’
‘Cheers.’ I’m all for that.Chapter 18
I’m not sure what time it is, but Jess and I have now worked our way through two bottles of wine. We’re still propped on our stools, except now we’re facing the club, leaning back on the bar. Theo is still at the table with Callum, Judy, and her husband, and by the looks of things, the meeting has come to an end. He stands, prompting everyone else to rise too, and turns to Callum as Judy and her husband leave the area, headed in our direction. She smiles as she approaches.
‘Izzy,’ she says, extending her hand as she nears. I take it and she crowds me, holding one of my cheeks as she tenderly kisses the other. ‘How are you, my darling?’
Her concerned tone tells me she knows all about my day. ‘Job-less,’ I reply, trying not to slur.
She breaks away from me and takes my hand, looking at me with an understanding smile. It irritates me to high heaven. There’s nothing to smile about. And she can’t possibly understand. ‘He’ll fix it. Don’t you worry.’
‘How?’ I ask, truly interested. There’s nothing to be done, apart from rewinding time.
‘Trust me.’ She flips me a little wink before turning to Jess. ‘You must be Jess?’
‘Yes. I love your suit! And your bag. And your shoes,’ my friend gushes, smiling brightly. ‘You’ll have to forgive me. I’ve been helping Izzy—’
‘Get plastered?’ Judy finishes, a wry smile on her face. ‘You’re a good friend.’ She takes one of Jess’s hands, too. ‘Enjoy yourselves, girls. I’m going home now.’
