“Talk it over with your wife and get back to me when you’re ready. My client doesn’t want anything other than to know her origins. There will be no pressure to meet, and she expects nothing from you.”
“Okay, okay. Shit. Okay. I need to go.” He left the table and made his way to the back of the bar, where I assume his office was.
Me: Rose, we need to talk. Are you free at 6:30?
I could meet earlier than that, but that time put us in the dinnertime zone, which upped my chances of eating with her.
Zahra: Yes, of course. Do you have news? Did you show him my photo?
Me: Yes, potentially we have news, but he needs time to think. We should discuss.
Zahra: Thank you! Thank you so much, Ace!
Me: Should I come to you? It’s kind of dinner time for me, so I could bring some takeout. Do you have any preferences?
Zahra: I’m easy. I love everything. Just no mushrooms.
Me: Okay, see you then.
Looks like I had a date with my sneaky little stalker.
Chapter 16: The Rose—Fledgling hope
This was beyond good news. A real lead! A man had obviously been with my mom at around the time of my conception and was interested enough to ask for a photo. I crossed my fingers that this would be it. I had two hours until my Hound arrived. Shit, I should shower. I took a long shower, taking care to wash my hair and shave everywhere. I had no intention of doing anything with him. This game was fun right now and I was enjoying our foreplay, but shaving always made me feel confident and ready.
I blow-dried my hair into waves and put on very natural-looking lipstick and a light dusting of face powder. I curled my lashes and applied my mascara carefully. I loved fake eyelashes, but I was trying to be a little bit subtle. Subtlety obviously wasn’t my strength, but my appearance wasn’t screaming sex. I put on black knee boots and made my way out to the living room. If he made a comment on my outfit, I’d tell him that I went out for drinks with my colleagues after work. There was a knock at my door. It wasn’t a secure building. It was supposed to be, but people always left a brick at the entrance because the fob reader was so temperamental. I’d let Gloria in a bunch of times.
This was too early for my Hound. I answered the door almost immediately but could only see the back of a delivery man becoming smaller and smaller as he hightailed it to the staircase. I swear they should put delivery people in the Olympics. They ring your bell, toss your package, and depart at lightning speed. I took the package in and opened it. I gasped. A pair of pretty little panties was wrapped in cellophane. There was a rose embroidered delicately on the butt.
My Zahra,
Clever girl. I wonder if you’ll wear these for me.
Your Kalb.
I was right! Ace is my Kalb, my dear Hound! And he was reciprocating. Not only that, but he also initiated the whole thing! I spoke to him today and he didn’t let on that he knew. Okay, my darling Kalb, I’ll play along with you. I wasn’t stupid this time. There would be no naked ambushes. No begging or screeching. I felt in control.He wanted me. He started this. Usually, I like to wash panties before wearing them, but I’d make an exception here. I wriggled out of my panties and put on my new special pair. They fit perfectly. The man had a good eye!
He was also very committed to stalking. He’d left a sticky note on my door while I was at work, so I came home to a bright yellow reminder of his feelings.
Rose, I know the real you.
He did know the real me. He really did, and he accepted me anyway. I almost wanted to pinch myself. I had made progress finding my father, and the handsome man helping me was into me! He was kind and caring, if a bit stalkerish. But then, I was an actual convicted stalker so who was I to judge? Besides, I loved his slightly darker side. His devious, sexy side. I was having fun for the first time in years. I always felt like I had secrets with Dr. Conti, but I know now he was just listening to mine. He never offered anything back other than strict professionalism and a listening ear. But my Hound, he sent me things. He wrote me sweet notes, came to my building when I didn’t know it and left me gifts.
In an effort to play his game and act innocent, I turned on all the lights in my tiny apartment. I was a tidy person but didn’t want it to look like I’d tried to clean up for him, so I got out a few mugs and left them on the counter. I didn’t own many books, but I randomly grabbed the few I had and put them on the coffee table. The bed was made, and it looked a bit welcoming, so I put a washing basket on it. Perfect. This place was the opposite of seduction. What if he brought wine? I reached into my cabinet,grabbed the only two wine glasses I owned and shoved them into the dishwasher. If he wanted wine, we’d use high balls or mugs. I would not admit to romantic feelings for this man. At least, not yet.
I sprayed my jasmine perfume and paced. I still had 30 minutes until he arrived, and I knew from experience he was always punctual to a ridiculous degree.
Chapter 17: The Hound—Mutual stalking
Holding the bag of Thai food and a bottle of chilled white wine, I juggled my armful to knock on her door. As with the last time I was here, the front door to the building was jammed open with a brick. Between Glenn Maxwell’s weakness for beer-and-cash bribes and the constantly open door, this place wasn’t safe enough for my Zahra.
Rose swung the door open energetically and then composed herself.
“Mr. Edison, please come in.” Kalb, Mr. Edison, and Ace. She swung between all three names, though I didn’t expect her to use Kalb. We were still playing the game, after all.
I entered and loaded my bounty onto the counter. I’m an investigator, which means I’m observant. Rose’s apartment was slightly untidy. It looked like it had been staged. The mugs on her bench were clean, and the last time I was here, her meagre possessions were tucked away. Tonight, she had books on the coffee table, something on her bed, and mugs on the counter. Part of the game to show that she was unaffected by me.
Oh, beautiful Zahra. You can’t fool me.
