Rake (Wolfes of Manhattan 4)

“I suppose you’re right,” I said.

“Trust me. I’ve been through this with my lawyers ad nauseum. You won’t be charged. I guarantee it.”

“How can you guarantee it?”

“I just can. You may have a motive, but you’ve had that motive for ten years, Zee. Why now? And you weren’t even in the state of New York.”

His words still pricked me like talons, but he made a lot of sense.

“So when, then?”

“When what?”

“When will I meet with him? The detective?”

“Oh, right.” Reid squirted a tiny amount of gel into his palm and then whisked it through his hair. “Sometime today, I imagine. I have to go in for more questioning as well.”

“Will you be with me when I’m questioned?”

“You’re not being questioned, Zee. You’ll simply make a statement.”

“But after that, they’ll question me, I assume.”

“Not if I have anything to say about it.” He touched my cheek lightly.

His words no longer pricked me like tiny nails. He was sweet Reid again.

“Okay.” I attempted a smile.

He let his towel drop to the floor. I kept my eyes from widening. I’d already seen all of him, but he was still magnificent every time. Tan and muscled and spectacular.

“I’m going to call in your breakfast and then get dressed. I’m already running late.”

Okay. Back to distant Reid.

But was this truly distant Reid?

Perhaps this was businessman Reid. Billionaire businessman Reid. A billion-dollar empire didn’t run itself, and Reid had been his father’s right-hand man.

God, his father…

I’d learned to compartmentalize over the years. Some days I was more successful than others.

Right now, though, my mind didn’t really know which way to go. I was here with the son of my tormentor. I’d just slept with him, and now I had to tell the story of what his father had done to me.

So it was pretty difficult to compartmentalize, especially when I was in love with his son.

Except I wasn’t in love. I’d already been through that in my head. It was simply emotion spurred by physical reaction.

It had to be. No other explanation made any sense.

I unwrapped my towel, hung it over the shower door, and donned one of the lush white robes, my hair still bound in the turban. I left the bathroom and found Reid already in boxer briefs and black dress socks. Not really a good look on a man but he pulled it off astoundingly well.

“Food’s on the way. I figured you’d be more comfortable eating in here.” He opened his closet door.

I gasped.

This wasn’t a walk-in closet, it was another bedroom. Suits hung, separated by color. Then shirts, again by color. Five different racks of ties. And…

I couldn’t hold back a gasp.

One wall was all shoes.

I never imagined a man could own so many shoes. No wonder he sent me shoes. They were obviously his thing.

He chose quickly and dressed with similar speed. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Within minutes, he was ready to grace the cover of GQ.

Then a knock on the door. He opened it, not seeming to worry that I stood right within eyeshot in a robe.

“Breakfast, Mr. Wolfe.”

“Thanks, Lydia.” He took the plate and carafe of coffee.

“Better than room service,” I said.

“I have a great staff.” He set the items on the small table by the window. “It’s all yours.”

“What should I do with the dishes?”

“Leave them. Lydia will clear them when she does the room.”

This was better service than the poshest of hotels. Not that I’d know, of course.

“I’ll be in touch when I know more about when you’ll be giving your report. In the meantime, make yourself at home.” He adjusted his tie.

“But when—”

He brushed his lips over mine quickly. “Sorry. I’m already late. I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything.” Then he left his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

I plunked down in the chair where my breakfast waited on the table before me.

And I wasn’t hungry at all.

30

Reid

My elevator took me straight to the private entrance to Wolfe Enterprises. I checked my watch once more. Ten minutes late. Ten minutes.

I was never late.

I opened the door to our private conference room.

“So he joins us,” Rock said.

“Sorry.”

“Never thought I’d see the day. You’re usually all over my ass for being late.”

“Sorry,” I said again.

Terrence slid a cup of steaming black coffee in front of me.

“Thanks,” I murmured.

“Morgan is due here in less than an hour,” Rock continued. “So let’s get our ducks in a row.”

“Zee is ready,” I said. “She’s just waiting for me to tell her when and where to be.”

“Good.”

Lacey swept into the room with Charlie behind her. “Sorry!” Then she looked around. “I guess we’re not the only ones.”

“The others don’t work here or live here,” I said.

“You’re the one making excuses?” Rock lifted his eyebrows. “Am I in the right universe today?”

Lacey swatted his arm as she took the seat next to him. “How’s Zee doing, Reid?”