Page 281 of The Black Trilogy

Dread with a hint of omigosh-what-have-I-done.

I’d seen that look before. Once when she arrived at my place in a cab, minus her underwear, unable to remember the name of the man whose apartment she’d woken up in. A second time after she got drunk and slept with the ex she’d found in bed with another woman two weeks earlier.

“Oh, Mack. You didn’t?”

“I-I-I thought you were going to Richmond,” she stammered.

“So I’ve heard.”

“Really, I can explain.”

“Please, I’m dying to hear it.”

She burst into tears and ran from the room. Oh, marvellous. Now I’d need to find tissues.

Luke swore under his breath and blocked me from going after her. “We didn’t mean for you to find out.”

“Were you going to try and keep it a secret? Because I’ll let you into a little secret of my own. I’m a great liar. Mack isn’t. Mack’s an open book. Anything that went on between you and her would have remained a secret for about two and a half seconds.”

“It only happened once, then Mack stopped it. Look, it was my fault, so don’t take it out on her.”

“Why did she stop it?”

“She was worried about how you’d react. She didn’t want to upset you. Because of our history.”

“It’s just that, Luke. History. We were never right for each other. You need someone like Ash. Sweet and docile, and that isn’t me. I’m anything but easy to live with when I haven’t lost my mind like I had when I was with you. No offence. Mack’s that, though. Sweet and docile.”

“You’re not angry?”

“Look, the time I spent with you, I was messed up in the head, and I ended up hurting you. I’ll always be sorry for that. So if some good can come out of that episode, and by good I mean you finding Mack, her making you happy, and you making her happy, then it might cancel out some of the rubbish that happened. So no, I’m not angry. If I was angry, you’d be lying on the floor right now, twitching.”

I watched a sliver of fear cross Luke’s features before I continued. “Mack’s one of my best friends, but unfortunately she’s also a magnet for the wrong kind of man. And I know from living with you that you’re the right kind of man. So I don’t care what the pair of you do together as long as you look after her. She deserves it.”

“She’s had trouble with men in the past?”

“Believe me when I say everyone will be relieved if we don’t have to pick up the pieces after another idiot. I should probably mention, though, that if you pull this stunt with her—bring another woman round and expect it to be okay—I’ll personally remove parts of you that you’re rather fond of and roast them on a spit.” I smiled sweetly. “Have you got that?”

My words had the desired effect. He gulped. “I-I-I won’t hurt her; I promise. I think I’ve fallen for her.”

Luke seemed surprised as the words left his mouth, but I could tell from his expression that they were true.

“Good.” I patted him on the cheek. “Now, smile for Pete’s sake.” I looked around the kitchen. “I need coffee.”

“I just made a fresh pot.”

“Okay, you can stay.”

I poured myself a mug of liquid caffeine then grabbed a box of Kleenex. Now, where had Mack gone?

Mack’s already pale face went a shade lighter when I walked into the music room. Was I really that scary? I mean, I didn’t even have a gun in my hand. All I had on me was the single knife I’d snuck through airport security in my bra. The dudes working the scanner missed that, although they did get spectacularly excited over a stray tampon in my pocket. That necessitated a conference before they decided it was harmless.

“I’m so sorry.” Mack started with the apologies before I’d even closed the door.

I sighed as I leaned back against Black’s piano. The smooth wood was cool against my back, its presence another reminder that I’d never hear Black play the ivories again.

“It was a twist of fate,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.”

“Enough with the apologising.”

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