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“Someone must have seen something.” Arthur’s agitated movements do nothing to calm my nerves.
“They’re making inquiries now with the hotel staff,” I add, as though it will soothe him.
Before Arthur can respond, Rob stands up. “Why don’t we go down to the Black Penny, see if Richards is around? He might be able to help.”
A long look passes between Rob and my brother. Finally, Arthur relents. “Fine.” He kisses Kate. “You two stay here. We’ll be back in a few hours.”
“Wait. You can’t seriously expect me to stay locked away while we get this figured out?” I stalk toward them and grab my brother’s arm. “I’m coming with you.”
He turns to face me. “Listen, your face is plastered all over every tabloid and gossip rag in the city. It’s only a matter of time before they figure out your name and where you live.” Arthur pulls me into a warm hug. “Let us take care of this part. We’ll do some digging, ask some questions. Then, when we have the ammunition, we’ll let you take him down.”
Arthur lets me go and disappointment fills me.
“I can’t let you fight this battle for me.” Defiance replaces disappointment. “I won’t.”
“We’re not fighting your battle, Marcy.” My brother sighs. “We’re supporting you. Let us do this. It’s going to be hard enough to face down Vic Simmons in court.”
“I relish the opportunity.” The thought should scare me, but instead it leaves me vibrating with certainty that this is the right course of action.
“Good. Save your strength. You’ll need it for the long haul.” Arthur presses a kiss to my forehead. “You’ve fought alone for years. Let us help you with this.”
Deep in my heart, I soften at his touch and his words. “Fine.”
Rob tilts my chin up. “Don’t worry. We’ll find something on him. He won’t get away with this.” He strokes his thumb across my jaw. “Promise.”
The press of his warm lips to mine leaves me clutching his shirt. I don’t want to let him go. I love him too much.
“Be careful,” I murmur against his mouth.
“Always.” With a smile, he and Arthur head out into the spring evening in search of something I’m not sure they’ll be able to find. It’s a wild-goose chase. Vic Simmons has the media by the balls. No one will cross him.
“Fuck.” I slump onto the couch and clutch the pillow to my chest.
“You love him, don’t you?” Kate appears beside me with a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“That obvious, huh?” I rest my cheek on the pillow.
“Yeah.”
She pours a glass for me. I take it with a muttered thanks.
“I’m glad you two finally got together. I might not have been around long, but these last few months of you two hurling jabs at each other is enough to set the curtains on fire.”
“I can’t believe I was that blind.”
“We all have those moments.” Kate chuckles. “But it doesn’t matter now. You’re both on the same page.”
“Are we?” I cradle the glass in my hands. “I mean, this is all so new. We haven’t discussed anything yet. All we’ve done is fuck. Which, don’t get me wrong, is nice. Better than nice. It’s fantastic. But I don’t know what he wants for the future. For us.”
“You’ll have to ask him.” Kate salutes me. “Before you jump him again.”
My face heats. “We’ve both been alone for so long. What if it doesn’t work?”
“I guess you won’t know until you try.” She rests her hand on my knee. “I wouldn’t worry about it though. Rob’s a cinnamon roll. He’ll do anything for you.”
“Cinnamon roll?” I skew my nose up at her strange reference. “What do pastries have to do with anything?”
“Shit.” Kate laughs, nearly spilling her wine. “Sorry. I keep forgetting. A cinnamon roll is someone who is sweet and kind but faces more hardship and suffering than they deserve.”
