Page 25 of Love Bleeds Red
“Emma,” I repeat, softening my voice. “I hope I haven’t caused any trouble. You seemed quite cheerful before you went to check on your boss.” She glances up at me as I add, “I know you said you were fine, but you don’t seem so.”
She turns her head toward the hallway where she came from, then back to me. “It’s nothing. Just a busy day.”
I take a calculated risk and layer on some Jasper charm. “Did you get reprimanded for trying to help me? That hardly seems fair.”
Her eyes widen slightly, like we’re in on a secret, before she catches herself. “I—No, it’s not like that.”
I give her a kind smile, the one that most people don’t expect from me. Not how Jasper smiles and makes women drop their knickers, but my own version—honest, with just a hint ofvulnerability. “Look, I’m sorry if I got you in trouble. Maybe I can make it up to you? Coffee sometime? I promise not to talk about charitable donations.”
I can tell I’ve snagged her as a genuine smile brightens her face. “Ms. Bowman can be... intense.”
“Intense sounds like a polite way of putting it,” I say, lowering my voice.
Emma glances around before leaning closer. “She’s not always like this. I don’t want this to sway you from donating. It’s just—She’s under a lot of pressure herself. Especially when they come in.”
“They?” I keep my tone casual, all the while the name Ivan flashes through my mind like a neon light.
“Her bosses,” Emma says quietly. “I make sure to take my lunch hour when they’re scheduled for meetings. The way they look at me… it’s like I’m not even human.”
My body reacts like I’m seconds away from cracking into a protected system. Pulse quickening, muscles tensing. I keep my tone friendly. “Sounds like proper arseholes.”
“They are,” she agrees. “Last time they were here, one of them—the older one with the accent—he undressed me with his eyes and asked Ms. Bowman if I was available after hours. Luckily, she had my back, but she reprimanded me after they left. Said I was dressed too provocatively.”
I force myself to breathe normally. In through my nose, out through my mouth. “Do these charming gentlemen have names? Just so I know who to avoid if I become a donor.”
Emma hesitates. I can almost see her mind battling with itself. “I probably shouldn’t...”
“Of course, I understand,” I say, stepping back from the desk. “Professional discretion and all that. It’s important.”
She seems to appreciate that I’m not pushing, and continues. “The main one is Russian, I think. Mr. Orlov. He practicallyowns this place, even though his name isn’t on any of the paperwork. And then there’s that diplomat who comes with him sometimes. Very posh, very cold.”
My mouth goes dry. “Diplomat?”
“I think so. Colter, I believe. They had me book dinner reservations for them once. Some Michelin-rated place. Like I said, very posh.”
My stomach drops to the ground floor. My father. My fucking father is working with Orlov. The room seems to tilt, and I grip the edge of her desk to steady myself.
“Are you alright?” Emma asks.
“Fine,” I manage. “Just remembered I’m late for another appointment.” I straighten, forcing myself to keep it together. “Thank you for your help, Emma. I’ll see you next Thursday.”
I back away, nearly colliding with a potted plant. My mind races as I try to make sense of this new information. The dinner Saturday, is it a trap? Does my father know why I’m in London? Does he know about Bailey? How involved is he in all this?
I grab my phone with trembling hands as the lift arrives. I should update the group chat, but my mind is jumbled. Instead, I slide it back in my pocket. I need to take a ride and decide if I want to change my RSVP.
Saturday will be here before I know it. Do I want to face down the devil I know? Or stay far fucking away from Alfred Colter?
BAILEY - JUNE 5TH
Shit, I fell asleep with my pen in hand last time I wrote in here.
Whoops.
Must be a theme since I fell asleep on the couch last night. Maybe I was waiting up to catch a glimpse of Leon when the guys got home… Okay, I definitely was.
Putting on Scream for the hundredth time wasn’t a good idea though. I was knocked out seconds after Ghostface tells Casey he wants to play a game. Next thing I know, I woke up this morning, covered in Mom’s throw blanket which was in the storage ottoman, the TV turned off, and curtains drawn.
It could have been anyone in the house. But Mom and Dad were already in bed watching Law and Order when I started my movie and I know Jasper and Damon aren’t usually that considerate. Nothing bad but they’re in their own world.
