Page 50 of The Lies of Bryn van Doren

Khalohn is onhis way out, his calendar alerting anyone who may ask that he’s heading for the airport for a quick trip to Tokyo. His latest deal is complete, another company under his name, but this is just the beginning. The changes he has in mind, he won’t make them without sitting down with the team of people who will be at home base, handling the operation. While he only has time to get his feet on the ground for little more than a couple days, it’s how he does things. It’s a sign of respect. He is where he is because he understands how to treat the hands that put his plans into motion.

As he gathers what he needs from his office in order to take his leave, it’s not justJapanon his mind. Before he gets on a plane, he has another important meeting to attend. With his laptop bag in hand, he strolls out of his office as Lorelai approaches.

“Shit. You’re leaving,” she says, stopping in her tracks.

“Walk me out,” Khalohn replies, pausing to address Maribelle. “You know how to reach me.”

“Of course, dear.” She offers him a smile, as genuine as ever. “I do hope you have a safe flight. I’ll see you Friday.”

Khalohn dips his chin in a nod, signaling his agreement as well as his farewell. She winks at him, and a small smile tickles the corner of his mouth before he looks to Lorelai and continues toward the exit.

“You’ve got five minutes.”

“Right. Well, I’m kind of getting shit on, here. Pier House was hemorrhaging money before,CharlieWinslow at the helm. I thought we were gaining traction after that dinner. Now, Christina Winslow is making her play.”

“How so?”

“She’s trying to sue her way into CEO. From what I can tell, it’s ugly. No one will return my calls. Can’t say I blame them. Any interest they had in Khalohn Morgan taking over ownership has now shifted to making sure there’s ownership to sell to us in the first place. She’s holding nothing back. Hired an outside guy to look into her brother, his management and accounting—Morgan, it’s a shit show. Maybe we should drop out.”

Khalohn presses the call button for an elevator. He doesn’t need to be reminded he handed this deal to her, expecting her to handle it. Neither has he forgotten the way Maribelle teased him about finally letting some of his associates shoulder more of the weight he hired them to carry. Given the current week, the weekend behind him, and the promise of what could be the weekend ahead of him, he feels completely at liberty to give it to her straight.

“You took on this deal, it’s your responsibility. We lose it, it’s because you didn’t have what it takes to get the job done. I believe it was you who told me there’s blood in the water, which should make this a fairly simple catch. Find your way in and close the deal before we’re left with a heaping pile of shit that holds no value.”

By the time he’s finished speaking, an elevator has arrived. He steps inside, but Lorelai is smart enough not to follow. She catches his eye as he presses the button for the ground floor and offers him a curt nod.

“Yes, sir,” she mutters.

“Play it smart,” Khalohn says as the doors begin to close. “I want another update a week from now.”

She doesn’t say anything in reply as he’s shut in, but he doesn’t miss her resolute sigh.

It was impossiblefor Jessica to process what happened with Godrik the previous night before Stefano barreled into the room. When she informed him of the very brief exchange she had withMr. Morgan, they stared at each other in bewilderment. After the initial shock began to wear off, her best friend made herswearto tell himwhereshe was going to meet the man and then swear again to not show up alone.

At ten o’clock the next morning, when she gets a text message from an unknown number, she relays the address to Stefano and then addsGodrik Morganas a contact to her phone. A little after noon, Jessica is knocking on Stefano’s door. He opens almost immediately, and they skip overhelloin favor of staring at each other. Stefano appears apprehensive. Jessica wonders if he can tell her nerves arestranglingher stomach.

“You can say no, Jess,” he reminds her for what feels like the hundredth time.

Jessica shakes her head and reaches for his hand. “Remember when you told me you were interviewing to be Bea’sgatekeeper?” she asks with raised eyebrows, knowing there’s no way he could forget. Before he can argue this isn’t the same thing, she insists, “Just come with me, Huey. Don’t try to talk me out of it. I have to know.”

Silently, he offers her a nod and then locks up his apartment. They hold hands out of his building, on their walk to the subway, and on the three trains they take before they arrive in Tribeca. Jessica tells herself to keep breathing deeply while simultaneously hoping she doesn’t run into any familiar faces.

“Miah’s is—”

“Yeah,” interrupts Stefano. “You know I googled this place the second you sent it to me. She’s practically right around the corner. I know where we are. I know where we’re going. Jessica—”

“Stefano, I don’t even know what he’s going to—”

He cuts her off with a laugh void of any humor. “Dove, he doesn’t even know your real name. Whatever thisbusiness propositionis, it involves you taking off all your clothes. You know it, I know it, the only difference is—”

“We won’t know until he—”

“Okay, no bullshit.” He stops, taking their conjoined hands and bringing them to his chest as he halts and turns to face her directly. “I’m not crazy about this idea. At least at Clandestine’s, I’m just down the hall. You’re part of Bea’s collection. You’reprotected.”

“He’s not going to hurt me, Huey,” says Jessica, stepping closer to him. Keeping her voice low, she goes on to say, “I know this is crazy. I know this isn’t part of our deal. I didn’t plan for this. But for reasons I can’t really explain, I can’t say no. Not yet. Not until I hear him out.”

In truth, shecouldexplain. Jessica just can’t look Stefano in the eye and admit the thought of never touching Godrik again—of never havinghimtouchher—makes her feel a desperation she’s never felt before. Knowing he’s not finished with her yet, knowing the possibility ofmoreis likely waiting for her, her body won’t let her say no. Two things in the world have made her feel more alive and attuned with her body than most people ever experience. Dance and Godrik. Shameful as it might be, she can’t ignore it, and she can’t say no. Not until she’s heard him out.

Stefano stares at her for a minute, then presses his lips closed and continues to their destination. As soon as they reach the corner of Broadway and Warren Street, he stops, gives Jessica’s hand a squeeze, and lets her go.

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