“I’m guessing you’re Brooks.” The gentle but strong feminine voice came from in front of me as boots crunched on the gravel.
“If you’re looking for a blind guy, then yes, that would be me.” I smiled. “Forgive me for my lack of sight. Are you the Queen? Madam Winters has always told me a lot about you. She considers you a good friend.”
She chuckled, and it was surprisingly sweet for a Harlot. “No. The Queen has more important things to do than ride out after worms. I’m Millie May.”
Now that I focused completely on her, I noticed the lilt of a Southern accent. It was barely perceptible, but there. I didn’t know much about the other ladies in the club because it’d been a need-to-know basis when I was a bodyguard at the Courtesan, but what I did know was that none of the Harlots should be underestimated. They were as dangerous as any other criminal in the city.
“Now let me guess, you’re here on behalf of Madam Winters.”
Ford unclicked his gun’s safety, and I waved my hand at him, gesturing for him to put it away. I didn’t have to see him to know he’d hesitated before the click of his holster filled my ears as he slid his gun back into it.
“You got it. ’Parently you hurt her baby boy, and we’ve come to give you a message.”
“It’s not needed,” I said sharply, gripping my cane so tight my fingers hurt. “I know I fucked up and plan on fixing my mistake.”
“Really?” Surprise bubbled in her voice. “How?”
“Call Madam Winters for me and I’ll talk to her myself.” I raised my eyebrows at her, and after a few long moments that couldn’t have been more than a couple of seconds, she snorted.
The sound of a dial tone told me she was calling the madam like I’d instructed.
“Hello?” Madam Winters’ serious but delicate voice filtered through the phone.
“Madam, Millie May here. This Brooks fella wants to talk to you.” Millie May sounded amused.
“Put him on.”
Millie May grabbed my hand and placed her phone in my palm, and I brought it to my ear, smiling. “Madam, is this where you threaten me?” I asked slowly. “Because I was already planning on apologizing.”
“Whatdidhappen?” Her tone was dangerous and warned me to speak very carefully. I liked that about her, always had. There weren’t many women in the world who scared me, but she was one of them.
“Can I be honest?”
She chuckled. “I expect no less. I don’t know why you bothered asking.”
I inhaled the sweet scent of pollen in the air. Summer was beautiful, full of birds and bees, and it wasn’t just the animal type. “He was anxious being away from the Courtesan. From what I gathered, whoever he talked to there kept telling him they couldn’t handle the hotel without him.” I petted my fingers down Lemonade’s head and she whined gently. “Tell me how I’m supposed to help him relax when the staff informs him it’s a mess without him.”
“Hm. I did not know that.” She tapped her nails on something, probably the arm of a chair. It was loud enough to carry through the phone line. “He was very agitated when he came home.”
“I was, too, because I hated that he was upset.” I held the phone tighter. “You know how much I care for him, Madam.”
“I do, which is why I was surprised by this turn of events.”
“You are no more innocent than the staff.” I winced. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, but I had, and now I needed to continue. “He knew you were ragged without him. He worried for you.”
“I see.” Her words were clipped, but there was respect there, too. Not many people told her the unvarnished truth. “And what do you propose I do about it?”
“Hire someone else with managerial skills. Someone he can trust to run the hotel. If you don’t, you’ll kill him from stress.” There was a chuckle in front of me from Millie May. “I can only do so much. Now, it’s your turn.”
She laughed and it was light and airy. “This is why I’ve always enjoyed your company, Brooks. You don’t hold back the punches. I like that. You’ll be good for Darcy, but if you hurt him—”
“I know. I’ll end up in a coffin.”
“Good.” I heard her smile through her voice. “Will we be expecting you?”
“Yes, this afternoon.” I turned in Ford’s general direction and waved my finger, and his boots crunched on the gravel as he walked away. We’d been organizing this since I’d gotten back, and while I had planned to wait a few more days, it seemed like I couldn’t.
“Good. My boy is beside himself, even if he doesn’t want to admit it.”
