Page 65 of Dirty Husband
"Good."
"I think you'd like Paris. Even though—"
"No good tea there either?"
"So I hear." He offers me his hand. "Are you sure you don't want to come up now?" There's something in his eyes. Almost like he's pleading for me.
Not for sex or obedience.
For companionship. Comfort.
Which only makes my thoughts swirl faster.
This is strange. Confusing. I need to think. By myself. "Yes. Thank you."
"You can let yourself in." He pulls a key from his pocket. Presses it into my palm. "Lock the door behind you. And leave it on the table in the living room."
So he does know I don't have a key. And he wants to keep it that way. "This would be easier if I had a key."
"In a few days."
I guess that's a compromise. It's weird. But I can respect his caution. Mostly. "Thank you."
"Good night, Jasmine."
"Good night." I watch him move into the apartment. Then I turn toward the river and go in search of clarity.
What the hell does Shep want from me?
Why is he really doing this?
Chapter Eighteen
Shepard
From the balcony, I watch her walk away.
She's right. This is a safe neighborhood. And it's statistically unlikely a stranger will attack her. The real danger is inside the house. The people we know, love, trust—
They're the people who hurt us.
I know that better than anyone.
But I still watch her until her silhouette disappears. Sheissafe. There's a tracker in her phone. And another in my coat.
She's lived in New York City, in a far worse neighborhood, for years.
Even so, I fail to concentrate on work. My mind turns until I hear the door click open.
Her footsteps move closer. The click of her heels. Then the soft pads of her feet.
Jeff believes we're in love. At least, he believes it enough to vote in my favor. But he's also buying himself opportunities to spring other board members on me.
No doubt working up to the one I least want to see.
I guess there's no getting around this. At some point, I'll come face-to-face with that bastard. At some point, I have to keep it together as he gloats about his hold over me.
He's not going to vote in my favor unless I bend to him. But then I don't need his vote if I can convince half the board.
