Page 42 of Redemption

“It’s sort of pretty on this side, isn’t it? A spot on the brink of ruination.” An unfamiliar voice stops the two of us in our exploratory tracks.

We both turn, almost in sync, to find Jade in a lovely floral gown. Her dark hair is pinned, and despite her age, there’s something delicate in her appearance. Unlike earlier when she played the sex kitten in the green dress, this outfit isn’t meant to inspire lust. Innocence, maybe. Which version of her is accurate? Sex kitten or naïve girlfriend? I can’t get an accurate read, but she draws me in. I’m more curious than afraid.

“Jade, right?” I extend my hand to hers. When our hands meet, the shake is limp, like she forgot to lock her wrist.

“That’s right.” Her smile is shy. “I hope you liked your clothes. I scrolled through so many photos to make sure you’d be happy.”

“Photos?” I raise my eyebrows, surprised she’s admitting her surveillance.

Her expression turns flustered, and she glances at Kim with a hint of nervousness. “From, um, magazines and things? You used to go to fashion shows.”

“The items you picked out were lovely.” I attended fashion events before Finn burst into my life. Could she have found enough photos of me online to decide on her purchases? Maybe. Still makes me uncomfortable.

Her shoulders sag in relief. “Oh, good. I was so worried I’d offend you by picking the wrong size. I don’t have many girlfriends, so I didn’t even have anyone to double-check with.”

“Pierre-Jacques doesn’t employ many women?” Kim’s tone is neutral.

“Oh, no.” Jade laughs. “He says we’re untrustworthy.” She shrugs as though her boyfriend’s view is acceptable.

Kim bristles at the implication, but it makes me smile. Wearedeceiving her while standing next to her. At least about us, Pierre-Jacques isn’t wrong.

I search Jade’s open and honest face for any hint of darkness. Then I recall Kim’s claim of an abusive relationship. Perhaps there’s an opportunity here. “Women are not that different from men in that regard—some are trustworthy, some are not. I’m not sure how long we’ll be here, but I’d love to get better acquainted.”

Would Jade be privy to Pierre-Jacques’s plans? To the real reason he wants Finn here? In most relationships, there’s pillow talk or overheard conversations, something leaks out to places it shouldn’t.

She touches her chest as if pleased and surprised by the suggestion, but her gaze slides to Kim as though her presence gives her pause. “I—I think I’d like that.”

“Perfect.” I smile. “Next time the men get together for a meeting, we can go for a walk or, I don’t know, something else on the property?” Can I talk her into showing me areas of the place we wouldn’t have access to? Who knows what secrets lurk here?

A wince creases the edges of her eyes for a split second, and I wonder which part of my suggestion she doesn’t like. Kim’s inclusion? The idea of exploring the property? How much control does Pierre-Jacques hold over her?

“Yes.” A wisp of a smile. “Sounds lovely. It would be nice to have a female friend amongst this testosterone.”

Kim’s phone buzzes in her pocket, and she takes it out. “Meeting is over. I’m sure Finn is keen to get you back.” She scans Jade, Kim’s face impossible to read. “Nice to see you again.”

“Likewise,” Jade says before wandering off deeper into the ruins.

Kim watches her go for a beat before leading me back the way we came. As soon as we’re far enough away, she mutters, “Something isn’t right there.”

“She’s definitely a chameleon.” Jade was friendly and quiet. Maybe even a little shy. Earlier in the dress, with the way she stared at Finn, she was more the predator. She knows more about me than I know about her, but that could be the nature of inviting someone like Finn into the PLA.

“Her accent isn’t authentic. I don’t know why she’s pretending to be Irish when she’s not.”

“Faking her accent?” I grab her arm to halt our progress back. Once we’re in the main house, we could be overheard. “What makes you think that?” I replay everything she said, looking for a break in the lilting speech.

“Things you learn to listen for when you have to. She also doesn’t want me along for these get-to-know-you activities. I’ll have to make sure I’m at every one. I don’t trust her.”

“Your Spidey sensecouldbe on overdrive.”

Kim meets my gaze with an unexpected intensity. “My Spidey sense keeps me alive. It’ll keep you alive too. Always trust your gut. Always.”

“Maybe we befriend her? Pump her for information.”

“Or maybe she’s intending to get information out ofyou. She said ‘a female friend’ which doesn’t include me. Somehow, you’re a linchpin between the PLA and CIA. Why? We don’t know. You’ve got to tread carefully. I cannot overstate that.”

Her gaze is full of so much concern it makes my heart thud in response. She’s not sugarcoating anything. While Finn might worry about me, she isn’t the type to exaggerate danger.

“I’ll be careful,” I say.

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