“Something that stops you from going in for the kill?”
“Something like that.”
“Well, the doctor reports there are no drugs in her system and she’s clean otherwise. Looks like LeHavre roughed her up and that’s all.” He tosses his own file on the desk in front of me. Neil is nothing if not thorough. Money can buy lots of things—including lab reports.
“I see you were busy then.” I flip it open to read the results. Nothing I hadn’t already expected, especially with her tight body and shy blushes—something that’s hard to fake in my world. I probably know all the wrong girls, hanging out in my club.
“Were you expecting less, brother?”
“Not really.” I turn and file the document away in my cabinet, locking it securely.
“Where are you taking her?”
“The Steakhouse.” He would know, because Stevens and Rhodes would be our security detail tonight.
“Engaging the Triad?” Neil quips, brows high.
“Hardly, but I do want LeHavre sympathizers to see I am fully in control. Any weakness cannot be tolerated.”
“Even a woman?”
“Especially a woman.”
A knock on the door stops our conversation as it opens halfway.
“Mrs. O’Malley said I should come here.”
Neil opens the door wide to let Sydney slip inside.
Neil chuckles, appraising Sydney. “Indeed, good old Maggie.”
I glare, watching his eyes move from her smooth hair down to her heeled toes. Maggie must have helped her. Colossal pain in my ass is what that woman is, even if she can cook a damn good meal.
I stand up from the desk, shuffling files.
“We should go then.” That’s my cue for Neil to get the hell out of my house.
“Have fun, you two.” He leans in to kiss Sydney on the cheek.
At least she isn’t leaning into it or kissing him back, easing the irrational jealous tension on my heart.
“Goodnight, asshole,” I grouse, and Neil laughs loudly, exiting the house.
Sydney doesn’t look at me. Her gaze is focused on the floor. “Your brother,” she says, flicking lint off her dress.
I suppose it’s an explanation or a question, and I don’t follow up to ask.
“Yes, I have a sister too, but it’s unlikely you’ll spend much time with Tabitha.” I wave off the answer.
“Oh.”
I wave her forward with my hand. “Come, I have something for you.”
Sydney takes slow steps in the long dress I left for her to wear. Classic black silk cups her curves in a dark waterfall. Her hair is swept up in a low bun, small curls escaping. She’s wearing no makeup, and I find I like that look on her better than shit mascara and red lips that don’t match her personality.
I pull back the bookshelf and spin the combination lock to trigger the release of the door that swings open. Sydney peers over my shoulder as lights activate and I pull her in close. My hands rest on her hips, backing her inside against the wall. She shivers when cool steel rests against her bare back that’s exposed from the dress. I guess we have a thing about enclosed spaces.
“What is this?”