Page 35 of Salem's Fall
“You should talk to him,” he says, his tone casual but sharp. “Lucien can give you more answers than that nutjob professor.”
“Your brother? How so?”
“Lucien was always closer to our father. He may have known things I wasn’t privy to.” He lets out a low, almost mocking laugh. “Closer to my fiancée too.”
My breathing quickens. Is he implying what I think he’s implying?
“Meaning?”
His eyes lock on mine, tellingly. “Exactly what you’re thinking. Yes, they were having an affair.”
Part of me feels for him. I despise cheaters and it can’t be easy to discover your brother and fiancée are fooling around behind your back. But as his attorney, I have to note this is another bad fact that we’ll have to deal with later on. Unfortunately, this also gives him a real motive for the killing.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say. “I just ended a three-year relationship under similar circumstances.”
“Well, you’re better off without him, I’m sure.” He gives me a sincere smile, almost admiring. “Anyone who’d cheat on you is a fool.”
“Thank you,” I say, warmth rising to my cheeks. Of course, I know William is an idiot, but it’s nice to hear someone else say it, especially someone like Damien Blackhollow. “Your brother, where does he live?”
“Here. In Salem’s Fall,” he says and then pauses, thoughtful. “Come to think of it, he was also in Boston the night my fiancée was killed. You may want to ask him about that too.”
“Will he meet with me?”
“Not willingly.” He lifts a brow. “But, if you agree to forgo meeting with the professor tomorrow, I’ll set it up for you.”
“And you don’t want me to talk to Nick again because…?”
Damien’s smile is cold. “Because I don’t trust him. Hargrove is playing his own game, and I don’t want you caught in the middle.”
“Okay.” I nod along, reasoning that I can talk to his brother first, then circle back to the professor, if needed. “I’ll talk to your brother instead.”
I take a final sip of my wine, savoring the rich, velvety taste before setting my glass down and glancing at my watch. “It’s getting late,” I say, dabbing my napkin at my lips and pushing my plate away. “Can you drop me off at the Cottage? I want to change and head back to the Hollow.”
Something about that sacrifice slab nags at me, like I missed something important earlier. And if the Veil still uses the Hollow, like our tour guide had hinted, then night would be the perfect time to catch them.
Damien stills. “Now?”
“Time is of the essence, don’t you agree?” I raise a brow. “And I can’t think of a better time to investigate a creepy, possibly cursed location than at night.”
He leans back in his chair, slow and deliberate, arms folding across his chest. “Tell me, James—do you ever listen to anyone?”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve already warned you that place is dangerous and now you want to go back by yourself—and at night? Even that quack tour guide told you, don’t come back after dark.” His voice drops lower, mocking. “But no, you’re going to march right in because you know better than everyone, right?”
“I’m a grown woman, Damien,” I say, heat rising in my cheeks, my irritation flaring. “I can do whatever the hell I want.”
“You shouldn’twantto be a reckless idiot.”
“Well, I guess I do.” I huff and shove my chair back, the legs scraping against the floor. I toss my napkin onto the table and glare at him. “I’ll get a taxi. Thanks for the lovely meal.”
“Come now, James. Let’s not ruin the night over this.” He tilts his head, watching me carefully. Then, just as smoothly as he’d gotten under my skin, his demeanor shifts completely. His posture eases, his mouth curving into something almost... agreeable. “If you’re that set on going, I’ll take you myself.”
I hesitate for half a second, thrown off by the sudden shift. My pulse is still hot with irritation, but something about his voice—low, smooth, coaxing—makes me hesitate.
“Really?”
His lips twitch like he’s amused by my skepticism. “Yes, of course.”
