18. Maeve
18
MAEVE
Julian
Hi, Maeve. This is Julian.
I got your number from Adrian.
O f fucking course he did. Adrian doesn’t give a single fuck about my privacy or doing the simple courtesy of asking for permission first. If this is his reaction after our argument yesterday, it’s embarrassing.
He’s an embarrassment.
Annoyance fills me at the younger Graves, too. Of course, he’d go to his uncle, whining about wanting my number.
The two of them probably sat and discussed it in their latest plot to try and get Julian in my good books. Adrian’s complete disregard for my privacy is rubbing off on him.
I sneer at my phone, getting ready to block his contact when it buzzes again.
Julian
I know that you probably want nothing to do with me, and I fully understand.
But this isn’t about us.
Despite myself, I’m curious. I should just ignore him, but I can’t help myself. What fake plot is he creating so that we can chat?
Maeve
What is it about, then?
Julian
The work that I’m doing in the archives.
I’ve been struggling to find certain things, and since you’re the only other person who knows them, I figured you might have some tips to pass on.
Maeve
Am I going to get a consultation fee?
Julian
Do you want a consultation fee?
Maeve
I’d like to know what my talents are worth to you.
Julian
They’re worth more than you could ever believe.
My tummy does a weird flip, making me feel breathless and queasy in a disturbingly good way.
Maeve
Well, considering you’re messaging me on a weekend, they’re going to be extortionate.
I hope you can afford me.
Julian
I’m sure it would only endear you to me more if I robbed my uncle for the funds.
Maeve
I’d charge extra if it was coming out of his pocket.
Julian
Good girl.
Another weird feeling in my tummy, another skip of my heartbeat. That comment is just a phrase, so why does it make me feel… I rub at my stomach as my phone buzzes once more in my hand.
I push the thought away, unwilling to examine it too closely.
Julian
So, are you open to helping me or…?
Maeve
Ask the questions, and I might give an answer.
Julian
You’re such a tease.
I freeze, my phone suddenly feeling like a lead weight in my hand as I read the words over and over. The word “tease” echoes in my mind.
“Stop teasing me, you dirty little slut.”
Rough hands.
Bruises on my thighs.
Pain.
My phone buzzes again, pulling me from the memory flashes. I flinch but let my eyes drop down to the new message.
Julian
Another document has gone missing.
Maeve
Is it on my system that I showed you?
Julian
Yes.
I took notes, too.
Maeve
I don’t understand how you’re losing documents.
Julian
I’m clearly not losing documents, pretty girl.
Someone is taking them.
Maeve
Well, shit.
I hope your uncle cares about you enough to keep you out of jail.
This absolutely falls on your head.
Julian
Thanks for caring about whether I go to jail or not.
Maeve
I don’t.
In fact, it would greatly amuse me to know you were incarcerated for being a traitor to the government your uncle runs.
Julian
Mhm, keep telling yourself that.
Maeve
I’ll block your number, you know? It’s no skin off my nose.
Julian
Ah, but you haven’t, have you?
Maeve
I’m interested in the documents.
Julian
I just bet you are.
Maeve
Which one went missing this time?
Julian
*Stolen
He’s trying too hard to get under my skin. I won’t let him or his fake drama draw me in.
But, damn, if it’s not intriguing.
Maeve
You’re going to find something of yours stolen if you don’t spit it out.
Julian
Are you going to be the one coming to take it?
Maeve
Fuck me, you’re annoying.
Julian
I’m not going to lie, the office is far more lonely without you there.
Maeve
Not going to lie, but I’ve not thought of you once since I’ve been gone.
Julian
Well, that hurt.
Maeve
You’re lucky I’m even talking to you at all.
Julian
Yes, yes, I am.
So, documents.
It was one regarding Elder Pensilven.
I re-read his message three times, my eyes hovering over that name, wondering why on Earth Julian is playing dumb right now. He should know about Elder Pensilven far more than anyone else.
Maeve
Date?
Julian
Why?
Maeve
Because he was only on the Tribunal for three years. He’s got one of the shortest terms in history.
You do know the history of him, right?
Julian
If I say no…?
Maeve
Fuck me, you’re an idiot.
You’re proof of why nepotistic hiring is always a mistake.
Julian
Because I don’t know the history of one Tribunal member?
Maeve
Because he’s one of the most infamous members.
Especially to your family.
Julian
What did he do?
Maeve
He’s believed to be the reason why your line, the Graves line, only has one unicorn left.
Julian
You’re kidding me.
I roll my eyes and quickly key out a response.
Maeve
Nope.
So, I ask again, which date?
Julian
May 19th
Maeve
If I were you, I’d make sure that all of the data on my servers are transferred to you, with all evidence disappearing.
Julian
Already on that.
Does that date mean anything to you?
Maeve
No. It’s not the one I was thinking of.
Julian
I better find that one quickly then, hadn’t I?
Maeve
The one detailing his removal from the Tribunal is interesting, but want to know something even more interesting?
Julian
What?
Maeve
It referenced a specific fuck-up that he had made, and I couldn’t find that documentation anywhere.
Julian
That sounds like a cover-up to me.
Maeve
Nothing like a corrupt government to lead the people.
Julian
The government isn’t corrupt.
Maeve
Oh, Julian, don’t you know that the Graves family are the most corrupt of them all?
Julian
Wow, say what you really feel.
Maeve
I already have, repeatedly.
Trust me, there’s nothing about your family that would surprise me any more.
“What are you doing?” Ari asks, coming through to the living room with two bowls of ice cream. She passes me mine, and I gratefully take it, burrowing into the soft pink blanket in my very lovely armchair.
When Ari does eventually get sick of me and wants me to leave, I’m taking this chair with me. It’s the comfiest thing I’ve ever owned—well, after my bed at the compound, that is.
“Nothing,” I mutter, tucking my phone away, ignoring the soft buzz of his reply.
I don’t owe him an ounce of my time.
Not even a little bit.