Deception (Infidelity #3)(15)
“We can’t let them do this to us. I told you that Alton is the devil. He’s influenced Bryce all of Bryce’s life. We can’t let them have that control.”
Though my legs slackened and his grip loosened, I was still surrounded by Nox’s embrace. The comforting peace of his masculine cologne urged me forward, to hop from the counter, tug on his hand, and pull him toward my room, the room where I’d barely slept, and allow myself to be swallowed up completely. Yet I resisted.
“I’m not sure they do,” he said.
“I know. They only have it if we let them.”
“No, that’s not what I mean. Deloris isn’t sure that note was written by Edward Spencer.”
I leaned back, furrowing my brow. “Why?”
“It has to do with the content. She’s dusting it for prints. She also doesn’t believe anyone from your family, or anyone they hired, could breach her security.” His brows rose. “That’s part of the reason I’m here.”
An unswallowable lump formed in my suddenly dry throat. Lowering myself back to the floor, I asked, “What do you mean?”
He stepped back, assessing me at arm’s length. “You look ready for class.”
“I am,” I replied as I sheepishly straightened my blouse. Sometime during the last five minutes it had become seriously misaligned. “I was.”
“When were you planning on heading to the campus?”
“Soon.”
“And where’s your phone?”
“Nox, why the twenty questions?”
“Apparently, during the night your GPS stopped working.”
It hadn’t. I’d purposely turned it off. I pursed my lips. “Huh. Really? That’s curious. I wonder how that happened?” I shrugged. “Perhaps I hit a button by mistake.”
“And I checked with Jerrod. He hasn’t received your call or text this morning.”
Though my heartbeat had increased, I tilted my head casually and sighed. “It’s a nice day. I had time to walk across the park.”
Nox linked our hands together and lifted my knuckles to his lips. “Well, isn’t that convenient?”
“Convenient?”
“Yes. I have a plane to catch to DC I need to be there for a hearing, but since it’s the Batplane and I’m Batman, I have time for a stroll through the park.”
“Nox…”
“I won’t be back from DC until Friday, but I’m warning you. If you decide to do any other strolls or accidentally turn off your GPS, when I get back, not only will I enjoy punishing your sexy ass, I’ll seriously look into that GPS implant.” He lifted his brow. “I would bet Mrs. Witt would know where that could be done.”
I bet she did.
Though I saw the gleam that I loved behind his threat, I also heard his sincerity.
His gaze narrowed. “Please, push me, princess. You see, I didn’t sleep well last night and I’d be happy to give you a reminder to behave before I leave.”
I gently shook my head. “Mr. Demetri, I do love it when you beg, but I’m afraid that if we did that… reminder thing, I’d miss class and you’d miss your hearing.”
As I gathered my things for the day, Nox lifted my backpack, and I asked, “You won’t be back until Friday?”
“No. There are a few days of testimony scheduled on a bill in the finance committee.”
Did I want to know more about the bill? Not really. What I didn’t want to do was be alone. “Then while you’re gone, I want to stay here. I don’t want to be in our apartment alone.”
Nox stopped midstep and scanned Patrick’s kitchen and living room.
“Stop,” I demanded.
“Stop what?” he asked innocently.
“I see what you’re doing. I can see the wheels turning. You’re not having additional security added to Cy and Pat’s apartment. If you balk, I’ll stay at my apartment.”
“That’s where I want you.”
“The one I’m letting Chelsea use.”
He swatted my behind. “Is that an ultimatum?”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Only if you make it one.”
“Miss Collins, you drive a hard bargain.”
I lifted my brow. “Does that mean I won?”
“No, princess. I choose my battles better than that.” His gaze narrowed, yet the gleam I loved flickered in the swirls of navy. “And believe me, if we’re at battle, you’ll know it.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Promise. It’s a promise.”
THE RIGHT AMOUNT of briskness hung in the morning air to add a chill as we stepped from the lobby of Patrick’s apartment building onto Fifth Avenue. Since I’d spent last night in a hotel—alone—I hadn’t received my daily weather report from Hudson, the doorman at my building. Undoubtedly, had I been there, he would have greeted me this morning with ‘Good morning, Mr. Demetri. There’s a hint of autumn in the air. Stay warm.’ The thought brought a smile to my face as Charli zipped her jacket before tucking her hand back into mine.
I didn’t want to let her go last night, now, or ever.
When it came to Jo and memories of her death, I found myself helpless, just like I’d been that night. I clung tighter to Charli’s hand.