“What now? Are you going to go to Dark Desires and confront her?”
Art rakes his fingers through his hair and gives me a troubled look. “She doesn’t work there anymore. After I cut her off, she was so pissed off, and she resigned.”
“And now, she’s getting her revenge,” I add, staring at the black-and-white photos of Theo. “So, how are you going to get in contact with her?”
“Firstly, we need to be certain Theo’s definitely spent time with her at the club. If he has, then there’s a high chance that’s where all this shit started.”
“How are you going to do that?”
Art picks up his mobile off the desk and starts typing a text. “I know a guy at Savage who works in the back office. He’ll be able to tell me whether they’ve had any sessions together.”
“Isn’t that illegal?”
Art shoots me a look and presses Send. “I’m hoping the lure of a year’s free gym membership will prove too much of a temptation for him. I’m going to get to the bottom of this. I think we’re onto something here.”
“If we find out Tara has spent time with Theo, what next?”
“I need to speak to her.”
“Why don’t you call her and arrange to meet her somewhere?”
He frowns, shaking his head, not convinced by my suggestion. “She was pretty pissed off when I cut her out; she’s not going to agree to meet up with me for a little chat. She worked at Dark Desires for three years and left because she was so fucked off with me.”
“She’s had a thing for you for ages,” I say flatly. “I’m pretty sure she’ll agree to meet you anywhere.”
He exhales deeply and leans his head back against the chair. “Maybe but not to chat.”
My stomach twists with uneasiness at what he’s getting at. Tara wouldn’t want to talk to him. She’d want to fuck him.
“What are you saying?”
He throws me a hesitant look. “If I text her and arrange to hook up with her at Savage, she might go for it.”
I stare down at my hands in my lap, uneasiness running through me. “Like you used to.”
He curls his hand in mine. “It’s the only way I can think of getting her to meet me.”
Him going back to the club. With Tara. I run my thumb over his knuckles and try and work out how I feel about the idea.
“I’ll be able to question her. I want to know what she’s said about me and you. I’m going to stop this once and for all.” He puts a finger under my chin and lifts my face, forcing me to look at him. “But if you’re not happy with me meeting up with her there, I won’t.”
I stare at the grainy images of Theo’s face on the screen. Art’s right. Tara might not be the only one stirring up trouble. Theo’s my ex, and he’s trying to cause problems between us. After all these years, I’m not letting him waltz back into my life and start fucking things up for me. He’s fucked up enough of my life already.
I can’t believe what I’m about to agree to. Even if it is a ruse.
“Do it,” I say firmly. “But I’m coming with you.”
He frowns. “What?”
“I want to hear it. I want to know what she says, and I want to know what Theo’s said to her. This affects us both.”
His mobile beeps again. Art drags his gaze from mine and looks at the screen. The frown on his forehead deepens. “My guy says Theo and Tara have met several times over the past few months.” He glares at the photos of Theo, his gaze hardening. “The game’s on.”
Twenty
Arrangements have been made. The moment that’s loomed over me like a dark cloud all week is here. The idea of stepping foot inside Savage makes me nervous, let alone what might unfold once we confront Tara—her claws will be out for sure.
“Are you okay?”