He snorts. “Always has been. Too emotional for her own good. The kiss?” His posture is casual, but his gaze intense, and he doesn’t take his eyes off me.
“She kissed me just as we reached the vehicle. I wasn’t expecting it, so there was a moment when I can see how it may have been perceived as us kissing, but I can assure you it wasn’t that. Those women were clearly relishing Mercedes’s… predicament, and she decided to show them up.”
He nods.
“So she kissed me in an effort to do exactly what’s happened. Stir up the rumor mill to her advantage.”
“So you didn’t kiss her back?”
“No.”
“And you explained it would not happen again.”
“Yes.”
He studies me. “Is there anything between you two? You need to tell me now if there is.”
“I know my duty, Santiago.” Fuck. God. I’m a piece of shit. “Mercedes is a beautiful, alluring woman, no doubt, but I know the rules.”
“Good. She cannot be compromised.”
“I know that.”
“I’ve heard you haven’t been to the Cat House.”
“Well, not sure if you’ve also heard that Theron is back.”
“Ah.”
“Babysitting him has taken up much of my time.”
“Why did he leave in the first place? Your brother? I never heard that story.”
“Bad blood between him and Grandfather.” It’s true at least partially.
“And now that the old man is dead, he’s back to take what he thinks is his due, am I right?”
“You are right.”
“My sister will not become a part of that due, will she?”
“I’ve warned him to stay away from her, or he’ll be cut off for good. Men like Theron answer to money. He’ll do as he’s told.”
“Good.” I’m not sure if my guilt has me imagining his gaze lingers overlong. “I will match Mercedes to a man deserving of her rank. A man who can handle her. Perhaps even tame her,” he says, and I feel my gut clench. “But Theron is not that man. He cannot ruin her. As you said, she’s impulsive.”
“He will not touch her.” Because I, the friend you trusted, already have.
“Good.” He stands. “I need to get back to my wife. Good night, Judge.”
“Good night.”
33
Judge
It’s three in the morning when I get home. I’m exhausted. I haven’t slept much in the past two weeks what with trying to avoid Mercedes. The house is dark, and my footfalls quiet as I make my way down the hall to my bedroom. I glance at Mercedes’s door like I do every time I walk past it, then open my own, wondering how she is doing. What she’s thinking. How hurt she is by my refusal of her. Especially after what I did. What I took.
I close the door and switch on the light only to hear a gasp from my bed. I’m not sure who is more surprised, her or me, because Mercedes sits up, squinting into the sudden light, her hair a dark waterfall over her shoulders and her naked breasts.