“I’m making her uncomfortable, Jarod.” I was already scooting to the edge of my seat, ready to join Celeste in the back of the room, when his voice rang outsharply.
“Leigh,sit.”
I wasn’t sure what shocked me more—the use of my real name or the inflexibility with which he gave me theorder.
I balanced on the edge of the seat cushion a couple of seconds before scooting back, afraid he’d cancel my joker if I didn’t abide by his rules. His eyes didn’t stray once toward me. They stayed glued to the woman whose forehead was scrunched inconfusion.
“Next!” Jarodsaid.
“What?” When she saw Tristan closing in on her, she barked, “I didn’teven—”
“Do you know how much my time is worth, MademoiselleGuanod?”
“But I’ve beenwaiting—”
“Come back next month,” Jarodsaid.
Tristan took ahold of her elbow, but she whipped it out of his grasp. “My ex-husband is refusing to pay the alimony he owesme!”
Jarod inspected his cuticles, perfectly and utterlyuninterested.
“He put all our money into offshore accounts before filing for bankruptcy so he wouldn’t have to share with me. All I want is for you to talk some sense intohim.”
Jarod didn’t say anything, didn’t even glance ather.
Tristan, on the other hand, said, “Men can be such bastards. Now, please, followme.”
When he placed his hand on her, she batted it away. “Don’t touch me.” Tears sprang to her eyes, glistening like the hefty diamonds fastened to her earlobes. “Can you please just talk to him, Monsieur Adler? Threaten him alittle?”
“What do you think,Feather?”
I jerked my attention toward Jarod. “Um.” Between being put on the spot and the way his inky eyes lingered on mine, the air became pinned to mylungs.
“Should I helpher?”
The woman’s soul didn’t strike me as pure. Hurting, perhaps, but not in dire need of help. “Do you still have a roof over your head, MademoiselleGuanod?”
“What does that have to do withanything?”
“My advisor asked you a question.” Jarod drilled the woman with a glare. “Have the decency toanswer.”
Her teeth clenched. “Yes. I have ahome.”
“And do you feel safe in yourhome?”
Her green eyes, a shade darker than mine, rippled with hesitation. “No.”
“She’s lying, Leigh.” Celeste’s voice waslow.
The woman jolted. “Who the hell’s that? Another one of yourcounselors?”
“Would you like to cash in your joker,Feather?”
Wringing my fingers in my lap, I shook my head. Although I didn’t doubt this woman feared for the quality of her life, she didn’t fear for her life, and I wanted Jarod to help someone whodid.
“Very well.” Jarod flicked hisfingers.
The woman growled as she trounced across the jewel-patterned rug ahead of a cheery Tristan. As she wrenched the door open, she fired out, “Since when do you employ whores to counsel you, MonsieurAdler?”
