Page 217 of The Bonus

My stomach twists. I hate the thought of her out on the town while she’s angry with me.

The kids fall silent as they drift off to sleep, but my mind has gone into overdrive.

I’ve fucked it, I’ve fucked everything about it.

I get up and sneak out of the bedroom and go downstairs and get a glass of water.

Don’t call her.

Don’t call her.

Don’t call her.

Too late. I find myself dialing her number.

Ring ring…ring ring…ring ring…

You’ve called Grace, leave me a message.

I frown, not what I wanted.

“This voice mail is full,” her phone tells me.

Beeeeep.

Shit.

Dejected, I hang up and call Mark.

“Hey,” he answers.

“Where is Grace?”

“Let me find out. I’ll call you back.”

With my behind resting on the counter, I wait in the kitchen, the room lit only by the overhead fan light. My phone rings almost immediately.

“Yes.”

“She’s in a cocktail bar called Mimosas. She’s with her friend Debbie.”

“Who’s on tonight?” I reply.

“Tommy and Pearce.”

I think for a moment. “Has she seen them before?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Send them in.”

“Do…” He hesitates. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

“Don’t question me. Just fucking do it. I want to know every detail of her night.”

“Okay.”

“They’re to stay out of sight…unless.”

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