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The covers pulled back on the bed and Mitch hopped in. Her phone was in her face.
“Did you finish getting your mother that gift she had asked for?”
“Working on it now,” Mitch said.
“And did you enjoy your meeting today?”
That earned Vanessa a poignant look. “You weren’t supposed to know. That’s the whole point, Van. Keep you in the dark in case you get questioned by Candace.”
It had been a few days since Candace dropped by the house while Vanessa was out running errands.While I was updating my will yet again, no less.Vanessa had no idea about the visit until she and Luke strolled home from a coffee shop where they shared hot chocolates before Vanessa dove into a book and Luke sat at another table to give her some space.Came home to Maria about to burst, and not because she had dinner laid out right on time for my arrival.Mitch was not impressed that Maria would have shared everything if someone else hadn’t, but Vanessa appreciated the reminder that she kept Maria on the payroll for more reasons beyond her cooking and cleaning skills.
Since then, Mitch had often left the house alone. She claimed to be Christmas shopping, but Vanessa knew the truth. Her partner was visiting Stella and Jade in the Castro in between lunching with Candace and Thalia at the brunch spot.
And it was so glaringly obvious. Potentially seeing Candace was the only reason Mitch would wear nicer clothes and light makeup when leaving the house during the day. She had to keep up the image of being “Michelle” even outside of the club, and Luke was always the first one to comment on it. He had blatantly asked Vanessa if Mitch was taking to her 30s well.
That day, Mitch had gone to the Castro. Again.
“You wouldn’t believe the hoops the FBI makes Jade and Stella jump through to keep their relationship with one another a secret,” Mitch said. “For the holiday break, one of them flies up to Seattle and drives down to Portland while the other drives the whole route from San Francisco to Medford where her dad lives. They have to meet in the middle to spend the holiday together.”
“I suppose it would be very bad news if Candace figured out they were a couple.”
“It would screw up everything, yes.”
Vanessa’s tablet screen darkened. She held it against her chest. “Be careful.”
“I always am.”
How am I supposed to focus on this when all the shit is still going on?Vanessa had not been impressed about that Saturday’s party. Nor was she happy that Candace had been here.She’s hiding something from me.Vanessa’s paranoia was mostly behind her, but when it came to Mitch, she simply knew. It wasn’t unlike Mitch to hold back certain information until Vanessa could handle it. In everyday life, that was fine. In an undercover operation?
How could Vanessanotfret?
“Also, they’re not just a couple,” Mitch continued while buying a Christmas present for her mother on the phone, “they live together and are basically engaged. I walked in today hearing one tell the other that when this is over they’re finally tying the knot. Also, I guess ‘Missy’ has a coworker with a kid and she’s upset about not being able to join all the family celebrations. Also I think the kid is ‘Kat’s’ nephew? I have no idea what’s going on there.”
Vanessa already knew, because one of the first things she did was get a background check on Stella Moore, Private Investigator.Her girlfriend is her ex-boyfriend’s sister. Big deal.Vanessa had heard crazier shit in her life.
“Like I said, be careful.”
“It makes me want to end this even more. I hate what it’s doing to you, too.”
Vanessa rearranged the pillows behind her back. “What are you talking about? I’m not more stressed out than normal.”
“I know you don’t trust Candace.”
“Whowould?”
Mitch was silent for a moment.
“Are you saying you trust that woman? After everything we’ve seen?”
“I’ve seen more than you.”
“Case in point. Don’t tell me. She had some glorious ‘save the cat’ moment. Did she put out a burning orphanage? Pull her car over and save a box of puppies? Which one of the many women she’s trafficking around the globe did she suddenly take mercy on and free?”
“Van.” Mitchalmostavoided sounding condescending. “She’s not trustworthy. Of course not. I’m merely approaching this from a different angle than you.”
Yes, you’re approaching it with your pussy.Vanessa did not dare say that out loud. For as much confidence as Mitch had discovered within herself those past few years, Vanessa still had the power to implant shame into that heart she loved so much. Besides, Mitch wouldn’t see it the same way as her Mistress, the woman who had sworn above all else to keep her partner safe.I’m doing a shit job at that.No wonder Vanessa had renewed her medication in exchange fornotdrinking any alcohol at all. Not even half a glass of wine at dinner now.
It helped. A little.
