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I knew Lucian had a penchant for knives, and admitted that a blade to his throat got him off. The scars on his skin, separate from the injuries, confirm that he has hurt himself, too. It’s just strange to hear that he’d request that from her. “Why would you tell any of this to Nell? Why would you risk it?”
“They know where Jackie goes to school. A police officer has apparently visited her, called her down to the office to ask questions about Lucian and me.”
“About the group? I’m not following.” Frowning, I shake my head, trying to make sense of what she’s saying. “What makes you think they know where she goes to school?”
“The ring. Jackie said he was wearing a ring with a moth. The same one Lucian wears. The same one they all wear. He’s one of them.”
“So, why didn’t you have her removed? Why didn’t you pick her up, the moment you heard about this?”
“Because I’m certain, if I run, they’ll find me.” She raises a trembling hand to her face and wipes at a tear that streaks down her cheek. “If something happens to me, I need someone to know. To protect my daughter. That’s why I told Nell.”
“And you don’t trust Lucian to protect her.”
“I want to. But how can you trust the man who funds these people?”
Funds them. My mind scrambles to wrap itself around what she’s telling me. Lucian funds a secret group who pay to torture people. Pay to torture. No matter how many times I repeat it in my head, it still comes out wrong. “Who are these people?”
“You met some of them at the masquerade. They’re powerful and wealthy. And they have connections to other powerful and wealthy people.”
“How could you not know this would happen? That they would be watching you after? That they’d question your relationship with Lucian?”
“How long did you think about it before you mentioned the group to Lucian? A minute? Ten? Do you think you teased out every consequence? No. You were desperate. That’s what you do when you’re desperate. So don’t you sit and judge me.”
“I’m not. Listen, I’m going to look into what happened to Nell. I’m gonna talk to my aunt. There’s a chance she might know something.”
She gathers my hands in hers and squeezes, her eyes pleading. “Please don’t tell Lucian that I told you all of this. I can’t risk that he’ll throw Jackie and me back on the streets. Especially now.”
“I promise. I won’t say a word to him about this.”
* * *
Makaio slows the car to a stop along the curb in front of The Shoal. “You sure you don’t want me to drop you off at the house?”
“No, I’d like to hang out with Aunt Midge for a bit.” I gather up my bag and set my hand to the car door, instead of waiting for him to open it for me.
“How long?”
I pause at the question. “Excuse me?”
Hiking his elbow over the back of the front seat, he cranes his neck toward me. “How long do you plan to hang out with her?”
“Is there a reason you’re asking me this?”
“I need to know how long I’m waiting here.”
“Um. I planned to stay the weekend. That’s why I brought a duffel.”
“The boss told me to drive you back.”
“Well, can you let him know I decided to stay?”
“No.” The expression written across his face is as unyielding as his response, and a creeping sensation of discomfort climbs my spine.
“No? Why?”
“Because you’re to return to the manor. That’s what I was instructed to do. Bring you back.”
“Um. I’m … off the clock.”
