‘Perhaps,’ I reply coyly. ‘Where is it?’
‘Not too far from here. A five-minute stroll.’
I hesitate. Mother Swift doesn’t like us going to gentlemen’s homes in case their wives are out visiting—it causes unnecessary drama if they find out later, and she likes to run a calm establishment.
‘Are you married?’
‘No, I am not.’
‘Well, I suppose that would be all right.’ I have a couple of hours up my sleeve before it’s safe to return.
‘Shall we then?’
In the slice of moonlight illuminating the alleyway, I see a large hand with long fingers encased in black leatherextending from the shadows.
Above the glove is a sliver of pale skin and a snake tattoo winding around his forearm. Hmm, he seems intriguing. I wonder if his cock is also tattooed with a snake. If it is, the girls would love to hear about that.
Smiling to myself, I slide my hand into his and walk into the dark alleyway without a second thought.
Chapter 2
Sadie | Edinburgh, present day
Blood. There was so much blood. All over me. The last thing I remember is screaming at Hester and Floss. After that, I must have passed out as I’ve come to on my bedroom floor. Concerned voices are discussing me overhead.
‘She’s fainted from shock.’
‘We need to get this blood off her.’
‘I’ll clean up in here.’
I’m carried into the bathroom and bundled into the tub like a doll, fully clothed. The shower starts up, and I’m doused in a warm spray of water from the handheld nozzle. Blood sluices off me.Hisblood. I sit there, watching, unmoving, as Elliott is washed down the plughole. I think I moan a little, I’m not sure. This all seems surreal. There’s a buzzing in my head, and I don’t know what it means. My head lolls back against the wall. I just want to sleep.
‘Sadie,’ a voice says sharply, joltingme out of my dazed state; and I jerk upright. Hester is kneeling beside me with the shower nozzle. ‘I need to get your clothes off,’ she says gently. ‘Will you let me do that?’
She looks worried, like I might bite her if she touches me. I nod, feeling like my brain belongs to someone else. Hester leans me forward and tugs my crop top over my head and unhooks my bra. They’re chucked down the end of the bath. My white T-shirt and lace bra are a mottled pink colour. Hester is now attempting to pull down my skirt, and I come to a little more, realising I’m about to be naked with an audience. I glance behind Hester, but it’s just her and me in the bathroom. My blood-splattered denim skirt joins the rest of my clothes at the end of the tub with a squelch. Hester doesn’t comment on the fact I’m not wearing knickers. I never do when Elliott comes over.Don’t think about what happened.I drag my attention back to Hester with an effort.
‘Where are the others?’
‘Floss is finding Damian something to wear. She flew him over to ours in a T-shirt and boxers, and he was freezing since we don’t use central heating.’
Floss’s fragile little human dentist. My gut twists in resentment.If she hadn’t gotten involved with him, then Elliott wouldn’t have been dragged off by Alexander,I think to Hester. I know that doesn’t make logical sense, but I needsomeone to blame.
Hester squirts shampoo on my hair and scrubs at my scalp. Pink suds trickle down over my breasts.Elliott was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, she replies, rinsing out the shampoo. I shut my eyes tightly and give my head a shake. That buzzing noise is really irritating.
Hester combs conditioner none too gently through my hair, and I hiss in pain when the comb snags. I hate people playing with my hair! Elliott is the only one I let touch it.
‘Sorry,’ she says out loud and combs more carefully.
I rub my temple distractedly as the buzzing intensifies. It feels like I’ve got bees flying around in my brain. Hester helps me out of the tub and wraps me in a black fluffy towel. She sees me looking at my bloody clothes in the tub.
‘I’ll get rid of them,’ she says.
‘Thanks,’ I say gruffly.
‘Do you need help getting dressed or ...?’
‘I’m OK.’
