“And you know by now it doesn’t matter,” I say gruffly. “Your choice. No one else’s. If this job lasts three days or three months, I’ll stick around.”
She sighs. “Yeah, well, thanks for listening again.”
I nod, wanting to add something stupid likeI can do a lot more than listen.
But I won’t. I shouldn’t pretend.
Still, I can’t help wondering what the hell she’ll decide in the end. There’s real uncertainty in her eyes whenever she brings it up.
How long does this curse consume us until we’re free?
How long will I have to fight myself off her like a deranged chimp?
13
BLOOD AND TREASURE (CLEO)
Itoss and turn all night, and when I wake up in the grey morning gloom, I drag myself to the kitchen and pour myself a beer mug full of coffee.
One more thing Gramps collected. I’m glad he left a few lying around.
I can’t make up my mind with Fairfax’s offer.
Worse, Holden wouldn’t weigh in, leaving it to me. Which is weirdly thoughtful for Mr. Crankyface, but also kind of annoying. The one time he decided to pass on being a world-class control freak…
Sigh.
After the kiss and the awkward aftermath, I thought I’d do us both a favor if I just took the first offer that came along.
Ten million dollars.
Nothing to sneeze at, but there’s more than money on the line. Even if Holden’s right and Fairfax winds up lowballing me to flip the egg for a princely sum, what does it matter?
Financially, I’m set for life.
But would Fairfax just let the egg disappear into some billionaire’s vault, never to be seen? That doesn’t sit right.
A lost treasure this beautiful deserves to be seen and shared with the world. Not jealously sealed behind glass in some private collector’s mansion.
Gramps left it up to me, yeah, but I know what way he’d lean.
Dinner last night made me feel less alone with my tortured thoughts.
Holden was clear without uttering a word—don’t take any bad deals just to speed this up. Just so I can free us from this crazy obligation.
With fresh java in my veins, I grab my phone and dial Miracles by Fairfax.
The receptionist patches me through right away, which tells me he’s been waiting for my call.
My nerves knot.
I’m not just taking any deal. If I’m not angling for a bigger payoff, I should get a few other concessions.
“Miss Blackthorn,” he says cheerfully. “I’m pleased you’re getting back in touch so soon. You must have given it some thought?”
“I have,” I say coldly. Deep breath. “And you know what, I think I’m going to hold off for now.”
Deathly pause.
