Twisted Together - Winters Pepper - Страница 56

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Tess stood a little straighter, watching him with a fierceness I started to recognise as defence. She had history with Frederick—I still didn’t know what they talked about the night he watched me almost rape her, then tuck and run after she used the safeword—but she knew Frederick was my closest friend. The only thing close to family I ever had.

Until her.

“Had a few loose ends before tying that particular knot,” I said, entering his office and slapping his shoulder. “C’est bon de te voir.”  It’s good to see you.

He nodded, lips spreading into a smile. “You too. Missed your angry face. What’s it been, three weeks?” It didn’t sound like a long time, but in the scheme of things, seeing as we used to spend ten hours a day together—it was a long fucking time.

“Bet Angelique’s happy you don’t have to babysit me anymore.” By babysitting he damn well knew I meant traipsing around the world murdering psychopaths and bribing twisted assholes.

He laughed. “Well, she got pissed that you left me in charge of this place, leaving me to work double hours, but she got over it.”

I rolled my eyes. “How did you make it up to her?” Did I even want to know what they got up to behind closed doors? I genuinely liked Angelique with her straight black hair and intelligent pretty face, but I couldn’t see any kink in her. I often wondered if Frederick was as completely straight laced as he liked to believe.

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” Roux laughed. “Well, seeing as you’ll find out soon enough, I’ll tell you now.” He motioned us forward, spreading his arm to encompass the heavy oak desk and black leather couches facing each other. “I hired her.”

“You what?” My head snapped up as I sat beside Tess on the supple leather.

“Hey, you couldn’t expect me to work here every hour of the day and not get nagged when I got home, could you? I figured I’d put her on the payroll—that way we’d see each other all the time.” He sat down, hoisting his navy trousers before sitting with his legs spread on the opposite couch. “Don’t tell her this, but she’s amazing. That stupid law degree she’d been practicing—hell she’s doing wonders for Moineau.  Not to mention, she’s great at bringing me coffee—amongst other things.”

I blinked. Did he just hint at office sex? In my building. Who was I fucking kidding? I was happy for him. I’d worried I’d put too much responsibility on him and was glad he’d flourished.

Frederick turned to Tess, looking her up and down. “How are you?”

Tess’s eyes flickered to mine, adrift with questions. I kept my face unreadable but it only took a second for her to slot the pieces together. Damn intelligent woman.

She nodded, keeping her back straight and face impassive. “I’m better. Thank you. Without you pushing Q—I don’t know where I’d be.”

To anyone who hadn’t whipped her with a whisk last night, she looked poised and collected. Only I knew the stiffness really meant wariness, not aloofness.

Frederick shrugged. “No thanks necessary. I’m glad it worked out. I couldn’t stomach the thought of you walking away from what you two obviously have.”

I huffed, glaring daggers at him. Frederick got the message and shut up.

Tess said, “I never got a chance to thank you for helping Q find me, either. I know you were there. I vaguely remember parts of it—your voice. You holding me.”

My muscles locked down. She fucking remembered? I thought she’d been so cracked out she hadn’t recalled what I’d done on her behalf. Did she recollect the reeking, dripping heart as I placed it at her feet?

Frederick shot me a glance, raising his eyebrow as if to say: I told you. You should’ve just killed him and not put more awful memories in her head.

I glowered at him. Fuck off.

“I’m glad you’re doing better. I knew Q would bring you back. Had every faith.” Clearing his throat, he looked at me. “You know, I got a call from Suzette yesterday.” Amusement shadowed his features. “Seems you’ve let her go a little wild.”

Tess’s eyes narrowed. “What did she say?”

I leaned forward, clasping my hands between my spread legs. “Yes, Roux. Qu’est ce qu'elle a dit?” What did she say?

His eyes twinkled. “Nothing much. You know she never tells me anything. Closed book.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Bullshit. I happen to know you’re on her speed-dial. She spills everything to you.” I glared harder, knowing full well he knew far too much about my ridiculous meltdowns—thanks to a meddling maid. “You know what I’m talking about.”

Tess looked between us, trying to unravel what we left unsaid.

“She knows she can call me. She and Angelique are getting rather close, too. It’s nice to see her making friends.”

“Oh, fuck me. My maid and your wife talking?” I couldn’t think of anything worse. I’d have to fire her.

Frederick laughed—a large timbre that drew a genuine smile from Tess. I wasn’t surprised; Frederick was a smooth son of a bitch. “You know she’s the most loyal staff member you’ll ever have. And she knows we would never do anything to hurt you. Leave her alone when you see her next.” He raised his eyebrow, hinting that he knew.

Knew about the wedding.

He’d been invited to a wedding that I had absolutely no idea about. Who else had she invited? Goddammit, I really better call her before she invited all of Paris.

Frederick clapped his hands together, reclining into the black couch. “So, as nice as it is to see you, Mercer, I’m taking this isn’t just a pop in. You want something.”

Tess looked to me, her eyes wide with curiosity.

I smiled loving the thrill of anticipation. I couldn’t wait for her reaction when I told her what we were here for.

“There’s a file in your cabinet under my personal record. Can you get it?” I asked, looking Frederick straight in the eye.

He frowned, trying to work it out. The funny thing was—he knew. He’d watched me write it.

Hauling himself upright, he traversed the office before unlocking one of the filing cabinets and pulling out my particular portfolio. It was empty but for one piece of paper. Everything of importance I kept on encrypted hard-drives and in a safe hidden at my chateau. But this—I needed a witness to make this legitimate.

Cracking open the file, his eyes flew to mine. Clearing his throat, he asked, “You sure about this?”

I locked my fingers together, focusing on the rush of blood rather than snapping at him. Ridiculous question. I wouldn’t deem it with an answer.

Frederick nodded slightly, grabbed a pen from his desk, and came to sit back down.

Tess scooted forward as Roux placed the file on the small table between us, spinning it around to face her. He smiled, holding out the pen. “You’re up. Have a read, and if you’re okay with it, sign away.”

I rolled my shoulders, dispelling some of the rapidly building tension in my spine. Tess vibrated with questions mixed with apprehension.

Frederick never took his gaze off her as she reached for the file. Asking me, he muttered, “Do you think it’s a good idea… after all, the current market is rather…volatile.”

Tess froze. Her eyes snapped up. “Volatile?” Looking to me, she added, “What’s going on? Do I even want to know what’s in here?”

Yes, you damn well do because then you can get over my wealth because it won’t just be mine anymore.

I glared at Roux, before glancing her way. “Yes. Frederick is only aware that if you sign it, you share equal risk. If the business crashed tomorrow you would be held accountable, same as me, for any debts payable. But I have no debts outweighing my assets, and it isn’t going to crash tomorrow, so there’s no fucking risk to worry about.” Grabbing the edge of the folder, I opened it. “Stop delaying and read the damn thing.”

Tess flat-out ignored me. Planting a hand over the writing on the page, she asked Roux, “Tell me. Did you mean that or something else? I think I have a right to know.”

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