“I’m a judge, not a fool.It’s that woman.Monaco.”
My jaw tightens.She’s not justa woman.But why argue?He might be right.Maybe she wants to ghost me.
Last night was…complicated.If she weren’t tied to my project, I might never see her again.She’s not responding to my texts.She hasn’t called.
“She’s in Manhattan,” I remind him—and myself.
I move behind my desk, pulling up the trend report I owe Margot—brands, colors, silhouettes our patrons favor.Macon compiles the footage; I translate it into marketing notes.The wealthiest clientele in the world leave data in the cut of a jacket, the choices for a wrist.
“And you’ve seen her.”
I sink into my chair and let the question hang unanswered.
“But it didn’t go well,” he presses.
I rub the bridge of my nose.Talking about Brie is out of the question—and I can’t tell him the details of what’s happening with Eddie—so I deflect.“You’ve had too much free time since making the bench.”
“I don’t,” he says, rightfully defensive.“But I worry about you—and I’ve learned to take breaks when I can.Law firm habit.”
“Why the sudden concern?”
“Truthfully, it’s Margot.”His drink sloshes as he gestures.“When she and I talk, I start to understand why she worries.”
“Since when are you and my sister confidants?”
My phone lights up, and my gaze falls to the screen lying on my desk.Fucking finally.
“I need to take this,” I tell him, nodding toward the door.
“Since when…” He pauses mid-sentence, then grins as realization dawns.“Fine, fine.Call me later.”He wanders out, drink in hand—headed, no doubt, back to the models at the bar.
“Hi,” I answer, gaze focused on the office door, waiting for it to close.
“Hey.”Her voice is soft, intimate—threaded with caution.Maybe she’s not alone.
The door clicks closed and I lean forward, resting an elbow on the desk, hesitant to set the phone down and set it to speaker.
“Busy day?”
“Yes.Your guy’s afternoon meeting paid off.He met with a woman tied to MI5.”
“British?”
“Irish.And when I say connections, I mean verified—observed.”
“Hmm.”
“One of her links traces to someone we’ll call a White House insider.”
“Interesting.You think she’s the one running it?”
“No.She’s a well-connected go-between for something lucrative.We’re sussing it out, but…”
“It doesn’t sound like this has to do with my properties.”
“Your man’s positioned himself as a source for a very powerful group.”
“Meaning?”
