Page 61 of Redemption

“Who?” Kim’s voice brims with false curiosity.

Her eyes snap open and widen at the slip. Then a mask falls over her face, and she rubs her forehead. “Oh, I—” She seems to stare through us for a beat. “She said the knife was meant for someone else. I assumed it was a man.” A soft chuckle escapes her. “How many women get into knife fights?”

Kim draws a tiny one out of the side pocket of her spandex tights and twirls it across her fingers. “I know a few.”

Jade’s jaw tightens a fraction before she turns to me. “I shouldn’t have assumed. Was it another woman you were with?” Her face is open with innocence again, any hint of calculation gone.

“It was Finn, actually,” I say. “He was afraid. Terrified. Scariest moment of his life.” He’s never said those words, but he’s laid his heart bare to me over the last year. Going after the men who attacked him and stabbed me was his way of getting control back. When Finn’s backed into a corner, he doesn’t cower. He swings with all his might. Exaggerating his fear may elicit more information out of Jade. “He couldn’t save me, so he punished everyone else.” I hope she hears that because not even God will be able to help her if she comes after me or Lucas. Finn will hunt her to the ends of the earth.

When our gazes meet, Jade’s pupils are dilated. Jesus. She’s aroused. Was the trigger fear or punishment? “Must be incredible to have that kind of desperate love,” she murmurs.

I can’t lie. Who wouldn’t want someone who’d suffer their own personal hell to save you from yours? I chased the kind of love Finn gives me for almost two decades with other men and had no success. Not everyone can have what we have, and her envy shines bright from her eyes. Does she want Finn to pay for his crimes, or does she just want Finn? “You must have something similar with PJ?”

The reminder snaps her out of a trance, and one side of her lips tilts up. “Pierre-Jacques isn’t much for desperate. Too emotional.”

Too emotional? Interesting. She drank up my Finn story as though it was the sweetest nectar. She’s already told me she values fear. Does she also value love? Or is she like her partner?

Jay clears his throat.

“I can help you with that zipper again, Carys.” Kim comes to my shoulder.

“I suppose I should pay for these.” Jade stares at the dresses slung over her arm. “Did you want to get the purple one? He won’t notice one more in the pile.”

I observe her for a beat before saying, “That’s all right. Kind of you to offer. I’m going to think about it. My closet is already stuffed at home.”

“Ah, yes. Cape Verde. Gorgeous island.” She turns and heads for the cash, clearly a little off her game.

In the dressing room, Kim doesn’t bother to help me with my dress. Instead, she leans against the wall while I change.

“She was there that night, and she got off on seeing Finn so upset,” she whispers.

“That’s how I read her too.” I slip on my outfit from earlier. “There’s something not right with her.”

“That was fast,” Jay says, his voice raised. “Efficient cashier here.”

“They like my money,” Jade responds.

Kim takes the black dress and puts it on the hanger and gathers the other dresses lined up, tossing them over her arm. “Are you getting any of these?”

“Not today.” The whole experience, fun at first, has been tainted by our final interaction. I’m still not sure whether Jade’s after revenge for her dead boyfriend or lusting after mine.

“Dinner?” Jade suggests when Kim and I emerge.

“Sounds lovely.” And necessary. Lorcan and Finn need as much time as possible to search the mansion for clues. “I’m in the mood for one of those multicourse places. A real experience.”

“Oh.” She frowns. “I’m not sure we should be gone that long.”

“I’ve found a place,” Jay says. “We can walk there. Only a few blocks.”

Jade’s bodyguards have kept their distance near the door, and one of them opens it when we get close. “Home?” he says.

“Everyone’s hungry. We’re going to walk to a restaurant a few blocks from here.” She draws her phone out of her purse. “I’ll have to let Pierre-Jacques know we’re going to be late.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Finn

Theplanisrisky,but what is life without a little risk? Carys, Kim, and Jay are supposed to keep Jade and her crew of bodyguards away from the property all day. So far, from Carys’s update texts, their piece of espionage is going well.

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