I smiled. “It’s fine, really.” Except I couldn’t help feeling a stab of panic to think of being back in New York and back in yet another cage. My captor would be holding me there for different reasons, but I’d once again be stuck in a cage and isolated from the outside world. I could feel it.
“Thanks for understanding, Jules. I can see why my brother likes you so much.”
Don’t make yourself look desperate and pry for info. Don’t do it. “Oh? Did he say something?” I asked. Damn it, Jules.
Jordan grinned. “Several somethings. I think he’s really quite smitten. It’s not usual to see him like this. He’s had his flings here and there, but it had been a while since he got involved with anyone. A long while. I was actually starting to worry. Of course I would’ve rather it not been tied up with his work, but when all the man does is work, I guess it makes sense.”
“Well, it sounds like the whole conflict of work interests thing is going to be behind us soon.”
She gave my knee a sympathetic squeeze. “You still have a job. Just… a different one.”
“Yep,” I said, trying to sound cheerful. “A new opportunity.”
23
Jules
My last day at Coleton Publishing was bittersweet. I’d officially worked there for three weeks. Three lousy weeks. But over the last week I’d actually been chipping away at the iciness my coworkers had towards me. I’d started thinking of Lythe as a tentative friend. People weren’t even rushing out of the break room when I came to microwave my food. I had a feeling Lythe had put in a good word for me with them.
And now I was going to leave all of it behind for New York, the exact place I swore I’d never go back to.
But it was worth it for Adrian. I hoped.
I let myself into his office after lunch, knocking once I’d opened the door and closing it behind me. “Hey, is it a bad time?” I asked.
He got up from his desk without a word, closing the distance between us in just a few long strides. He slid a hand up from the base of my neck into my hair, giving it a quick and powerful squeeze that tilted my head back. “There you are,” he said, voice raspy.
I chewed my lip. “I was actually thinking we could talk,” I said.
Adrian’s smile came slowly, but it was as intoxicating as ever. “Talking is good.”
“It’s usually done a little farther apart,” I said, pressing his chest back with my index finger.
He chuckled and let me push him away. “If she wants it civilized, that’s what she’ll get.” Adrian walked back to his desk, sat down, and gestured for me to take the chair across from his desk.
I sat and sighed. “I have to get something off my chest.”
“Another secret?” he asked, smooth forehead crinkling with worry.
“No. No. Nothing like that. I just have some reservations about coming to New York. I wanted to find out how much of a low profile you needed me to keep, exactly.”
“Oh,” Adrian said, sounding relieved. “Well, the team wants you to stay in the apartment. I could get you a place of your own if you prefer, but I’d feel better if you were staying with me. I’d been planning to surprise you, but now’s as good a time as any.”
I could see how excited he expected me to be, so I smiled for him. I wished I could stop being in my head so much these past few days, but ever since I’d learned I was going to be stuck at home and not really playing any part in what was to come, the whole thing had gone sour. I just didn’t know how to explain it to Adrian. Here he was after ten years of hard work and nearing the final stage of his plan. And there I was, the bitter daughter who wanted a turn giving daddy a figurative kick in the balls. It was childish, but no matter how much I told myself that, I still couldn’t dismiss the disappointment.
I realized Adrian had been talking about plans for the move for a bit and I’d missed most of it. I planted another smile on my face and nodded, listening along.
I was going to do this.
“I can’t wait,” I said once he’d finished.
24
Jules
It was my last day in North Carolina when Mikey showed up again. I wasn’t worried anymore about him telling Adrian the truth, but I’d thought of a new thing to be afraid of. I now needed to worry about Mikey talking to father because of how it might screw up Adrian’s plans. I’d honestly forgotten about my brother in all the chaos that had come since me and Adrian swapped secrets.
Mikey’s visit had made me realize I couldn’t wait anymore to tell Adrian the truth. I knew I wanted him to hear it from me and not my brother, but once I’d gotten it off my chest it was as if his only tool against me was gone.