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“I had some things I needed to take care of.” We had to change the locks on both doors, repair two windows and update the locks on those too. There wasn’t any evidence of a break-in, but it all took much longer than I expected.
“What things?”
“Business.”
“What business?”
“Nothing. I'd better change.”
“Nothing. Of course.” She turns her back on me, her attention on the portrait of my grandparents and my father, and I wonder if she sees the similarities between my grandfather and me.
I leave the room, take a quick shower, and then get dressed. Black on black today. Mercedes is talking to Lois when I get downstairs. Lois greets me, then leaves us alone.
“What’s going on, Judge?” she asks, taking the cuff link I can’t seem to slip through the cuff and doing it for me. I watch her hands work with the dark red nails. The gloss of her hair on her bent head. A flash of memory steals my breath. Mercedes on her knees before me, naked, choking on my dick.
I close my eyes and think about something else. Anything else. But to have her this close, to smell the hint of perfume, feel her warmth, and have her do something so domestic as helping me with a cuff link, it’s all a lot.
“Just work.”
“Liar.” She finishes with the link. “I don’t want to stay long tonight. Maybe you can take me out to dinner after?”
“We’ll see.”
“I just have to show my face.”
“I thought you liked these events. Everyone looking at you…”
She shrugs a shoulder, her mask of confidence faltering before she can turn away.
Stopping her, I tilt her chin up. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to go.”
“That’s your world, Judge. Not mine.”
“You just have to choose to make it yours. What do you care what they think of you anyway?”
“I don’t. I just don’t like people talking behind my back.”
“I’ll be there with you. I won’t leave you alone.”
She bites her lip. “Promise?”
“Promise.”
I know all that’s going on can’t be easy and what she did still hangs over her head. No matter if we discuss it or not. I wonder what it will take to alleviate her guilt over the accidental murder. Because it was accidental, there’s no doubt of that. And that woman was prepared to kill Santiago. Her death is no loss to the world. But she is dead. And Mercedes killed her.
Raul drives us while two more men follow in a second vehicle.
“How much longer with these guys?” she asks.
“Until Abel is caught.” It’s not a complete lie. I am worried about what Abel might do to Mercedes. He had no qualms about having Santiago dragged before The Tribunal and accused of the crimes Abel himself committed while his pregnant wife lay in a coma. I don’t doubt he’d hurt Mercedes in any way he could. But Abel’s been in Tribunal custody for about two months now. He can’t get to her to hurt her physically. But she doesn’t know that.
We arrive to a candlelit event at the IVI compound. The night is mild, so people are milling about outdoors as well as indoors, and as I guide Mercedes through the entrance, I feel the tightening of her muscles beneath my touch. She’s steeling herself.
“I wasn’t sure you were going to make it!” a woman’s voice calls out as I hand Mercedes a flute of champagne. It’s Vivien and beside her are her two friends, Giordana and Dulce. I don’t remember any of their last names.
The three of them cross the courtyard drawing much attention as they sway their hips. They’re dressed to kill with not much left to the imagination. They all glance at me, gazes skirting over me, devious smiles curling their pretty mouths. They’re good looking, but this kind of woman has never attracted me.
“I wouldn’t miss your birthday, Viv!” Mercedes says loudly as they air-kiss and lightly hug each other. “You are the pioneer, after all. Leading our little group into the next stage of life.”
