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There’s a long silence on the other end of the line that makes me think she’s trying to find the words to let me down gently. I don’t say anything because I don’t want to push.
“I’d like that.”
I pull out my diary and thumb through for the first overnight opportunity. “We should meet here, where it’s private. What does your schedule look like for an overnight a week from Saturday?”
“Just a moment while I check.” I hear pages flipping in the background. “Yes, that could work.”
“Excellent. Pippa has a sleepover at her friend Jenny’s. I’m to drop her off after tea, so you could be here for six. And that will give us plenty of time to coordinate whatever is necessary for you to get here and feel safe.”
“I’ll see what I can come up with.”
“That’s all I ask. Keep me posted.”
8
Alex
I’mglad I confided in my twin brother. I only told him as much as I needed to without telling him it’s Freddy. Because he knows Freddy is kinky as fuck, and I’m not ready to ruin Duncan’s delusion that I’m his good girl vanilla twin.
He was sympathetic to my plight—for obvious reasons—and came up with the brilliant plan that my bodyguard drop me off to stay with him and Charlotte for the weekend. And from there, his bodyguard, Craig would escort me to and from my rendezvous.
Shortly after I arrive at Finleigh Park, Craig takes me to his office.
“I just wanted a private briefing before lunch for any additional arrangements I need to make before we leave. So, how about we start with you telling me everything you didn’t tell your brother.”
“The man I’m meeting is Alfred Neville. Lord Grynlough. Charlotte’s cousin. It’s what one might call…an extended booty call. A kinky one. And as we all know, the tabloids are sniffing around for more than photos of me entering and leaving a hotel.”
“I thought as much. Not the who, but certainly the rest of it. Now, about Karen, I know that it’s hard to trust someone new—”
“I’ve had new protection before,” I interrupt before he can continue down themaybe you’re overreactingroad. “But she’s the only one who has ever tripped my radar.”
He holds his hands up. “Okay, if she’s tripping your radar, then I’m going to look into it.”
He opens one of his desk drawers and pulls out a mobile phone. “I’d like you to leave your mobile here with me and take this one with you.”
“What if someone calls or texts it while I’m gone?”
“Should that happen, we’ll handle it during your check-ins.”
“Check-ins?”
“I’m your safe call.”
“Craig, I’ve already hooked up with him a couple of times. I don’t need a safe call.”
“This time, you’re meeting him in what I consider an isolated location. If you want my cooperation, you will humour me.”
He’s got my back.
Just before six, Craig pulls in front of Alfred’s cottage.
“If you don’t call me, exactly as we arranged and give me your code word, be assured I will be showing up with an embarrassment of security personnel. Understood?”
“Yes, Craig. But you know it’s going to be fine, right?”
“I know. Alfred is a good sort. But it pays to be too careful.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
