A quiet knock at the door roused me. “Come in.”
Pierce brought in a tray and set it down on the table by the window.
“Thanks.”
“Will that be all?”
“Yes. I won’t be around today. Have the night off.”
“Very good, sir.”
My phone buzzed. I picked it up straightaway, hoping to hear her sweet voice.
“Patrick.”
“We have a problem. That girl, Tatiana, that you asked me to keep an eye on.”
“Right?”
“She left the shelter last night and didn’t return.”
“What happened to the guards that were meant to be watching over her?”
“Can’t say. They’re not around to ask.”
“Okay.”
I closed the call, scrolled down my list, and pressed on Peter Barnes’s number.
I pictured Fox’s sinister grin. Seeing him at the Cherry Orchard had made our history resurface. He’d always vowed to get revenge for losing his inheritance to me.
What game is he playing?
Knowing what he was capable of, I had to get to Fox. Either that or leave the country, and that wasn’t going to happen.
24
* * *
PENELOPE
“WHAT DID HE SAY?” I asked about the Russian man who’d arrived at Lilly’s doorstep.
“He wants me to be his girlfriend.” She shook her head. “He’s so ugly and fucking savage. How did he find me?”
My phone pinged.
“Get that if you like,” said Lilly.
It was Blake again. It read, “Can we meet?”
Short and sweet, as usual, no “I’m missing you” or “Let’s try to see where this goes.”
I let out a sigh.
“Let me guess. Tall, dark, and filthy?” Lilly cocked her head.
“Speaking of which—although he’s not dark—Blake mentioned you, but just in passing, because he’s not the gossipy type. Far from it.” I rolled my eyes at how abridged Blake’s conversations could be. “According to him, James keeps asking after you.”
“Really?” Her face lit up.
“He’s gorgeous, and he’s into you.”
“And end up miserable just like you are right now?”
I knitted my fingers. “I can’t just be his sex thing.”
“But you stayed at his house. From what you’ve described, that’s not normal for him. If he was using you, he’d arrange to meet you in a hotel. Or a dirty weekend away.” She smiled. “That sounds kind of hot.”
It did. “Only we’d have to get suites with single beds.”
Her forehead creased. “Huh?”
“He can’t sleep with me, although he did for an hour or so the other morning.”
“Then, he’s trying.”
“He nearly squeezed the life out of me.”
“That’s sweet,” she said.
“I mean really tight, to the point where I couldn’t breathe.”
“Holy shit. What’s happening to us? We’re surrounded by fucking psychos.”
I had to laugh at that.
“Tell me about James, then,” she said.
“That’s all I know.”
“But has Blake told you whether he’s a player.”
“Lilly, you met him at a place where men buy virgins.”
“Blake was there, too,” Lilly said.
“Yes… but he insists he left.”
She shrugged.
“And I’m finished with him.” My voice trembled as I fought back tears.
“Why?”
“Because he doesn’t do relationships. I want to get out before my heart breaks. I’ve seen what being a booty call has done to Shelly. It’s broken him.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “Should I call the police?”
That jolted me. “I’m not sure.” I thought of Blake. He would know what to do. Any excuse to call him, my heart insisted. “Leave it up to me. I’ll think of something. Now, girlfriend, you’re getting off that fucking couch, and we’re going shopping. And then we’ll check out listings for shops on the net. You’re going to open that salon.”
Lilly lifted her slim frame up. I couldn’t believe how frail she looked.
“First, we’re going to OD on calories. Greasy french fries, a hamburger, followed by a big muddy chocolate cake, washed down with a few glasses of wine.”
“That sounds like fun,” Lilly replied, allowing me to lead her into the bathroom.
“Have a shower, and I’ll get some clothes ready. Okay?”
She smiled, returning to her former bubbly self, which was a relief, because I needed her positivity.
After I’d arranged her clothes, I pressed on Blake’s number, and chose not to text. I craved his voice.
“Penelope.” He picked up within a breath.
His deep sexy voice brought back the memory of his touch, and in a flash, I became mindless. “I…”
“Can we meet?” he asked.
“Um… this is about Lilly.”
“Then we should meet. It’s best to be discreet.”
I gripped my phone. “Okay.”
“When can we meet?”
The urgency in his tone touched me deeply. “I’m having lunch with Lilly, and then we’re shopping. Perhaps later?”
“How’s six o’clock? Can I get Patrick to pick you up?”
“No. I’ll meet you at Piccadilly. At the same bar.”
“I look forward to it. And, Penelope…”
“Yes,” I said.
“It’s nice to hear your voice.”
“Okay, then. Um… till then.” I waited. Can he hear my heart pounding? “Are you still there?”
“Yes. I like hearing your breath.”
I bit my lip hard to override the ache in my core, which was deep and smoldering like Blake.
“See you then.” I ended the call and sat on the bed waiting for my heart to steady.
* * *
WE VIRTUALLY SKIPPED ALONG. Shopping had revived Lilly. For me, it wasn’t just the pretty silk dress I spent a week’s food money on, but the thought of seeing Blake later that day.
“Let’s have a coffee.” Lilly led me into a trendy café.
We sat up at the bench by the window and made our orders.
“This has been so much fun.” Lilly touched my hand. “Thanks.”
“I’m just happy that you’re feeling better.”
“I am. But…” Lilly played with a coaster. “What am I going to do about Alex, the Russian?”
“You can stay with me if you like.”
“And Brent? What do I tell him?”
“Let me talk to Blake.”
“I thought you were about to leave him.” Clearing space for the waiter to set down our order, she smiled at him.
“I am.” I stared down at my fingers.
“Why? I mean, he’s filthy rich, gorgeous, and into you.”
“Why won’t you go out with James?” I asked, tilting my head.