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But he doesn’t leave me long. This is Hendrick, not Jac. He returns wearing boxer briefs and carrying a towel. He cleans me up and then tucks a strand of hair behind one ear. “Christ, Cat. I think you’re secretly out to kill me.”
He helps me off the table, but I almost fall. As expected, he’s there, helping me regain my body. I didn’t even notice that he’d removed the plug until I walk. In the bedroom, I pull on the oversize shirt and shorts he’s set out and watch as he moves about, pulling on his suit and straightening it.
“I didn’t think of pajamas,” he says, by way of explanation. He turns. “The night isn’t over yet.”
I follow him through to a study/library. There’s nothing on the desk, apart from a laptop. “It’s hooked to the internet,” he says, noting where my gaze goes. “But that’s it. I rarely work here, and when I do, I have my personal computer.”
“That’s for your whores?”
He grins. “Such pretty claws.”
There’s foreplay, but this is afterplay, and there isn’t a note of venom from either of us. There’s only one female I’m jealous of and she’s dead. And I really don’t like myself for it.
He finds a notepad and hands it to me with a fountain pen.
“Write down descriptions of the people you noticed.”
I take one of the armchairs in the room and flick on the lamp. Then I start doing that and he places something on the side table. Whiskey.
“It’s straight.”
He sips his own whiskey, and I take a swallow of mine. It’s more of expensive Japanese stuff, but I don’t think it’s Hibiki.
“Hakashu,” he says, clearly seeing me look at the glass. “I haven’t stocked up on Hibiki here since I ran out. This is good.”
I nod, and he steps out, making a call. When I’m done with my list, I get up with my glass and the list and find him in the kitchen, leaning against the smooth expanse of light gray marble. “We’ll be there.”
The moment he hangs up, I say, “Did something happen?”
“No, I know where you’re meant to be tomorrow night. The mayor’s having a fundraiser at her place.”
Then he takes the pad from me and goes over it. Hendrick goes still. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
He nods, half to himself. “Okay. If I’m not back, call Jac. I’m sure you’ve got his number.”
“What?” I stare at him, going cold. “Where are you going?”
“I need to check a thing. To do with the list.”
“And Jac? You want me to see Jac?” I down my drink and slam the glass down.
He walks past me and finds his jacket, pulling it on, and he hands me my phone along with the burner.
Then he grabs the front of my shirt, hauls me up against me, and kisses me hard. “No, I don’t fucking want you to see Jac. But you seem to do what you want, when you want. And Jac’ll keep you safe.”
“I’ll keep me safe.”
“Magdalena, it’s not just your life. It’s the life of your friend, so fucking do what you’re told. It’s invite only. Both Jac and I have invites. You’ll be going with one of us. If I’m not back by four, fucking call Jac.”
And with that, he leaves.
Without telling me a damned thing.
TEN
JAC
