“That’s comforting.”
I didn’t smile.
“Go inside, Miss Jones, before he decides to eliminate you based on tardiness alone.”
She opened the door, then paused and looked back at me.
“Jacob?” Her voice was soft and almost frightened.
What are you so scared of, darling?
I cleared my throat.
“Yeah?”
“…will I see you again?”
Oh, sweetheart. You have no idea just how much you’re about to see of me this week.
“I’m a member of the staff, and Mr. Stonewood wanted all hands on deck for the Game,” I said, voice low. “So yeah, you’ll see me around.”
She stepped out into the cold, the lodge towering above her like a rustic version of a gothic castle. She paused for a terrifyingly long moment, then squared her shoulders and walked in, and just like that… the Game had officially begun.
I watched her go with the kind of hunger that could level cities, then pulled out my phone and typed fast.
Me
I’m coming inside for a moment before I tow her car up to the lodge. She forgot her suitcase in the bed of my truck. I’m going to give it to her, and I’m betting she’ll speak to me. I’ll speak back. I’ll gently reprimand her and tell her Mr. Stonewood expressly forbids contestants from fraternizing with the help. Imply that ‘Jacob’ is just a lowly groundskeeper and not worthy of her notice. See how she reacts.
Henry’s reply came seconds later.
Henry
Careful, kid.
I smirked. Careful had never been in my nature.
I grabbed her suitcase from the bed of the truck, her soft, rosy floral scent clinging to the nylon like a bruise, and slipped through the side entrance of the lodge. The service hallway was dim, quiet, humming with the heat that poured from the vents.
I stepped into the main foyer just as the other guests were turning to survey Chrissy after her late arrival.
She’d stopped dead center of the room, bathed in the golden glow from the massive chandelier above her, chin tilted up, dark eyes wide as she took in the vaulted ceiling and massive stone fireplace with a fire blazing inside to combat the cold from the coming ice storm.
I stepped into the room, but no one noticed me yet. All eyes were on her.
“Miss Jones?” I kept my voice as Jacob pitched low, deferential.
Not the steel I used over conference calls with the board. Not the knife-edge I used with my enemies.
This voice was one I only ever used with her.
She turned, surprise flickering across her features when she saw me holding her suitcase.
“You forgot this,” I said.
“Oh, God. Thank you.” She stepped forward, her hand brushing mine as she took the handle. It was a small touch, a tiny one in fact, but it hit me like a match dropped into dry tinder. She blinked up at me. “Jacob… I didn’t get to say thank you again earlier. For the ride up to the lodge.”
My jaw flexed.
