Chapter 4 #5
Her mouth opens and closes. Like a fish drowning in air.
I laugh.
‘I don’t care if you are, sweetie,’ I say, echoing her little pet name for me.
‘And you should be thanking me. If anything, I’ve made your job here easier.
I’ll be extra careful with the windows, so I don’t fall out.
Oh, and please make sure my laptop is on my desk later.
There is some work I’d like to complete while it’s on my mind. ’
With that, I turn away, feeling like a million dollars, and I see Stephens fighting a smile out of the corner of my eye as the nurse just stands there gaping like a trout.
I go into the library and sit in one of the high-backed seats facing the garden. With Nasty Nurse taken care of for now, I think hard.
I have a little breathing room for the moment, but what I just did wasn’t part of any real plan.
What is it that I want and need? One. The Stalker taken care of.
Two. Autonomy and freedom. My life back.
Three. To be with Shade, Mav, and Blake whenever I desire.
That should probably be Number One, actually.
Four. Not to marry Joe. Five. Information about my mother, my past, my father’s death, the stalker, probably other stuff too. Six. Money.
Okay. That gangster, Sauvage, has promised to take care of the stalker, which could help with Number One and Five, but not if he kills him before I can get the information I want.
Money is sort of taken care of with Envy, though I’d still rather be more hands-on with producing it.
That leaves Number Two: autonomy, freedom, and getting my life back, as well as Three and Four. Maybe Number Five, too.
I can’t do all this myself, however much I want to be Daisy the Destroyer. I don’t have the freedom and autonomy. Without those, everything else is a lot more difficult.
I sigh, turning it around in my head for a long time as I stare out the window at the hedges below and the lake beyond.
It gradually gets dark, and I hear someone come into the library. I peer around the back of the chair and see Stephens bringing me a tray.
‘The pie that was promised?’ I ask hopefully.
He nods. ‘Just so, Miss Marguerite. I’ve also brought you this.’
He takes my phone out of his pocket.
‘Been looking through my room?’ I ask with raised eyebrows.
‘I’m afraid that woman enlisted my help to do just that.’
I frown. I thought I’d taken care of her, but it looks like she’s still going to be a thorn in my side.
‘Did she find anything?’
‘No, Miss Marguerite. She was called away on a phone call. Samantha and I found nothing at all of note. However, I took the liberty of charging this for you. Perhaps, now that you are able to roam the house, it would be wise to leave it in the library. Perhaps behind the Encyclopedias. I can easily charge it overnight and put it back while I go about my duties each morning.’
I nod. ‘That’s a good idea, Stephens. Thank you.’
‘Indeed, Miss Marguerite. Also, I believe that woman has been invited to dine with the staff this evening. They’re having a movie night, I’m told.’
‘And she said yes?’ I ask dubiously.
‘I believe that Philip has specifically asked her to hang out and I’ve been reliably informed that he is considered by many of the female staff to be the hot one.’
‘So, he’ll keep her busy until late,’ I clarify.
He nods. ‘That’s my understanding, yes.’
‘Great. Thanks, Stephens.’
The butler leaves and I sit at the small table with my dinner. As soon as I raise the silver dome, I moan at the smell of steaming pie, mashed potatoes, and greens.
I eat as much as I can, gorging myself on it until I feel sick.
Under the smaller dome there’s a crumble with English custard, one of the very few things I’ve missed since leaving The Heath.
I eat that too, and then sit back, holding in my full tummy and sighing with contentment. A decent meal really is second to none.
I grab my phone and turn it on, finding messages from my guys and Lu, too. I scroll through the group chat, re-reading our previous conversations leisurely. It makes me feel closer to them even though they’re not here.
And then I get to the part where they explained what happened to them while I was in the hospital, how they were picked up by Pierre Sauvage.
I consider everything I know about the gangster. He’s wealthy, connected, dealing with the stalker, has a lab, and owns more than one property around Richmond.
And an idea begins to take shape. The more I consider it, the nuttier the plan sounds even in my own head, but I’m not one to shy away from crazy.
It might just be the answer to at least half of my problems.
SHADE
Istare up at the Novelle house from my car. I’ve never liked it all that much here. It was never a home, if I’m honest. Even with the good memories I have here with April, a shadow hangs over it. This is where the girl I love is being held prisoner.
It sounds so dramatic, but it’s true. She tells us things, messages updates when she can.
She let us know she made a deal with my father to get Joe and his hired guns to back off a little.
I can’t help but think, though, that she’s hiding stuff, things she knows would upset us.
I’ve tried to get Stephens on my side more than once, but the butler seems more loyal to Daisy than he is to me.
He’s tight-lipped when it comes to her. I guess the same way he was with April.
I open my door, grab the bag I brought, and get out of the car, making my way up the stairs just in time for Stephens to open the door.
‘Do you ever miss one?’ I ask as I step into the house.
‘Rarely, Master Jack,’ he says, bowing at the waist.
‘My father here?’
‘In his office, sir.’ Stephens lowers his voice. ‘Speaking to Master Banderville.’
‘And Nasty Nurse?’ I mutter.
‘Still in bed, I believe.’ His lip curls as he talks about her.
‘Not a fan?’ I ask with a smirk.
‘She is a crass woman, I’m afraid, sir. The sooner she’s gone, the better.’ He glances at me and frowns. ‘I beg your pardon. I ought not air the staff’s dirty laundry.’
I snort. ‘And where’s Daisy?’
If she’s locked in her room, I might just lose my shit.
‘Running around the grounds. I believe she went in the direction of the pagoda by the lake.’
‘Good to know. Thanks, Stephens. Here.’ I hold out the bag. ‘Some stuff for Daisy. You can get it to her without the powers that be finding out?’
He nods. ‘Of course.’
‘Thank you. I think I might take a walk outside. It’s been awhile since I went down by the lake.’
Stephens’ lips turn upwards slightly. ‘I’ll have some refreshment sent directly, Master Jack.’
I give him a nod and go through the house, letting myself out the back and walking through the tiered gardens.
Once I get to the wall hedge, I stay in its shadow where I can’t be seen from the house as I walk toward the lake.
The freezing wind nips at my nose, and I pull my thick coat closer around me, keeping my eyes open for Daisy.
I see her running around the far side of the shore and smile, watching as she sprints. I pick up my pace, knowing she’ll get to the pagoda soon, and I want to meet her there.
The round stone building known as The Pagoda, is actually a small summer house complete with frosted glass, French doors, and a couple of chairs under a small overhang.
I try the doors, and they open. I go inside and it’s a welcome break from the wind.
The tiny fireplace is cold, of course, as no one really comes out here in the winter, but it’s still warmer than the outside with a couple of skylights catching the winter sun.
I stand outside and watch as Daisy runs the trail, getting closer.
She hasn’t noticed me yet, and, while I don’t want to scare her, I would enjoy seeing her surprise when she does.
Just then, her eyes rise, and she sees me, her steps faltering for a second before she smiles wide and runs faster. She doesn’t slow when she gets nearer, barreling into me. My arms circle her waist, and I swing her around. She laughs and I pull her close.
‘Hey,’ I say.
‘Hey.’
I want to talk to her first, but somehow my lips are already on hers and she’s pushing me backward into the pagoda. The quick interlude in the bathroom at Grinder the other day barely scratched my itch for her.
Still locked together, I close the door with my foot, my hands travelling up and down her body. Likewise, she’s caressing and pulling at me like I’m the very air she needs to live.
God, I feel the same.
I pull off my coat and throw it on the floor.
‘Fuck,’ I whisper as she pulls away and practically rips my sweater up over my head. ‘I’ve missed you so much.’
‘Me too,’ she says breathlessly. ‘I don’t know how much time we have befo—’
‘Enough,’ I whisper, breaking away from her and pulling off my clothes as she does the same.
We come together, her mouth trailing kisses down my chest while I hold her skin to mine, basking in it, in how glad I am that she’s here and she’s okay.
I hoist her up, slamming her against the wall, pausing, afraid I’ve been too rough, but she lets out an animalist moan, her nails scraping through my sandy hair and pulling it hard as her lips find mine again.
Not able to wait one more second, I line myself up and plunge into her, kissing her as I thrust deep.
Her back bows and she moans a long, drawn out ‘fuuuuuuck’ as I move fast and rough, my hand drifting between us to play with her clit.
She comes quickly and hard, her body spasming, her hands clawing at my back, and I’m not far behind.
I put my face to her shoulder and push into her tight wet heat as far as I can, groaning my release.
I hold her up for several seconds, our arms wrapped tightly around each other as we come down together slowly.
She pulls back a little, smiling into my face.
‘Hi,’ she says softly, caressing my cheek.
‘Hey,’ I whisper with a grin.