“Next time.” I pluck the serviette off my lap and lay it on the table.
“You coming back to the room tonight after Sage is off work?”
“I will, yes.” Before taking my leave, I consider telling Julian not to swallow the pills Priya brings downstairs at the table, since someone is clearly watching him. But he’s injured, which is at least an adequate excuse.
With a chummy handshake and some parting pleasantries, I take my leave, hurrying to head up to my room and call Ms. Ardley. Crossing the lobby, I see Priya exiting a lift. She spots me as well, and her expression goes dour and purposeful. She beelines toward me.
“I’m wise to your game,” she says.
“And what game is that?”
“I don’t know what itisyet—just that you’re playing one.Sage may’ve warmed up to you…” She gives me a lip-curled once-over. “Forboringly obviousreasons. But I’m immune.”
“Not damaged enough for your taste?” I reply blandly. I immediately feel horrible for having said it, but I couldn’t resist repaying Priya’s jab with one of my own.
“Oh, perfect,” she snaps. “Showing your true colors. Consider yourself warned: I’ve got my eye on you. Even if you don’t slip up, the countdown’s begun. Sage’ll toss you aside like a condom wrapper by race day.”
She gives me a pointedly wide berth as she passes me to head into the dining room.
As I exit the lift minutes later at my floor, another text comes through. There’s an attached screenshot from social media, two somewhat grainy pics showing Priya handing Julian something out of an orange prescription bottle, and the visible elation on his face as he swallows it. The observation angle does appear to be from the kitchen, as predicted.
Rosé All Day:Oh, honey, is that boy a pill popper? Spill the tea!
Fuckin’ hell. I absolutely should’ve warned Julian. I stride to my room, hitting the callback button on CJ’s contact as the door closes behind me.
“Hiya, handsome,” she drawls. “It’s about time; I was ready to give up on you.”
“I arrived in Melbourne only hours ago, pet.”
“And got straight to work! What’ve you got for me? Gimme the scoop.”
“Ah, yes. Hate to disappoint you, but he’s not a ‘pill popper.’ It’s antibiotics. He took a fall while climbing. I’m afraid there’s nothing ‘juicy’ to relate.”
Her sigh gusts over the line. “Well, you musta gotten something I can use. Did he give up any fun tidbits? Embarrassing childhood anecdotes, family skeletons?”
“Be patient,” I tell her smoothly. “I’ve got a long game at work, but you must saynothing. Not a whisper. If Sage sees you shitposting, baiting her, she’ll become guarded. Stay under her radar until I get what you need. I’m earning her confidence, getting closer.”
“Ooh,howclose? You’re gonna make me jealous.”
“Come now—it’s purely strategic. A girl like her is no substitute for awoman.”
“That so? You’d better not be blowing smoke up my skirt, Al.”
I drop my voice, sultry. “Don’t you dare tease me with visions of what’s up your skirt.”
“Honey, I’m no tease. Ready to find out?”
“Careful who you taunt, love. You’ll end up against the wall in more ways than one.”
She chuckles darkly. “Let’s discuss this a littledeeperwhen you’re back in London. I’ll hop across the pond and we can make a night of it. Now, back to work, tiger. Go get me something good.”
13
MELBOURNE
ALEXANDER
When Sage comes in at nine p.m., Julian and I are playing chess. I wish I were kicking his arse, looking like a genius, but we’re matched in skill. As points go, we’re even. But the look on Sage’s face as she strolls over and folds her arms—gazing at the board, then me, with disapproval—makes me feel I could lose more than the match.
