Page 47 of Nothing But the Night (Basic Instincts 2)

Marc stroked Jason’s thigh with his good hand. “Hey, you need to keep calm, remember.”

“I was calm until that shit-merchant came on TV.”

It seemed strange that Soloman would want to raise the issue of trans rights and gender identification, given the skeletons he had concealed in his own closet. Was the man so arrogant, he believed he was untouchable?

Probably. He was an MP for the nasty party after all.

“What else did he have to say?” Marc asked.

“Nothing worth hearing. Bastard! I can’t wait until we get the evidence we need to nail him.”

“Do you think he’s behind it all?”

“He’s the most likely suspect.”

Marc was not so sure. Soloman had plenty to hide, not least his relationship with Theo and however many other sex workers he used, but would he really go so far as murder to keep his secret?

“It can’t have been him on Friday night.”

“I know,” Jason said. “I’ve already checked. He was in London all day. But it doesn’t mean he didn’t hire someone to do it.”

“They can’t be any good if he did. We’re both still here.”

“We were lucky. Theo and Dan can’t claim the same.”

When Marc stood up, his entire body ached. It was too early for another dose of painkillers. “Do you mind if I take a bath? It might help.”

“Go ahead. You know where everything is.”

Marc slowly made his way to the bathroom and set the tub running. He was glad he’d kept himself in such good physical shape before the accident. If he hadn’t, his recovery could have been a lot worse.

With Jason’s help, he wrapped a plastic bag around his plaster and undressed.

“Jesus,” Jason said as Marc’s shirt came off. His torso was mottled with purple and black bruising.

“I’m trying not to look at those,” Marc said. “I don’t imagine you’re in any better condition.”

“It seems much worse seeing the damage to someone else.Shit. We really could have been killed.”

“That was the intention.”

He got the water to a comfortable temperature and, with Jason’s hand for support, he eased himself in, before topping up the hot. He sat back, enjoying the warmth while keeping his plastered arm over the side. Jason perched on the edge of the bath, looking down at him. There was a soft smile on his face.

“What is it?” Marc asked.

“You’re the first person besides me to use that tub. It’s nice, that’s all. Having you here.”

Marc felt a warm surge, inside as well as out. “It’s a pity the circumstances weren’t better than this.”

“Agreed. If they were, I’d be sliding in there with you.”

“Let’s keep that thought as something to look forward to.”

“It’s a promise.” Jason ran his fingers across Marc’s knee where it rose above the water. “Want me to bring you anything?”

“I’d love a drink. A nice cold glass of wine.”

Jason chuckled. “Nice try. But you know booze is off the menu for the next few days. For both of us.”

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