Page 95 of Duplicity

‘You see, your mum is a very good friend of mine. She’s very important to me.’ He clears his throat. ‘So I wanted to come out here and see if you ladies needed anything, and also to remind her that her friends are here for her. And you. Because, sometimes when we have rough weeks, it’s nice to have some friends around to keep us company, isn’t it?’

I give him a look I hope conveys exactly what I think of his sudden transformation from demanding boss to concerned "friend." That's quite a change of heart from the man who treated me like his plaything a few days ago. That said, this isn’t the guy who tried to get me to suck off his random mate in front of a roomful of leering, jeering blokes. This is the real Brendan, the one I’ve seen glimpses of. The one he does a very good job of keeping hidden most of the time.

Honestly, he gives me whiplash.

‘Did he really steal it, though?’ Tabs asks me.

‘I think it’s supposed to be for business use,’ I tell her. ‘So it might have been a bit cheeky of him to use it for a personal visit, but he’s the big boss, so I don’t think he’ll get into too much trouble for it.’

‘I don’t care if I get into trouble,’ Brendan says, looking straight at me. ‘Because your mum is a very special friend of mine, and she’s worth it. That’s what friends do.’

I stare at him wordlessly for a moment, drowning in his big blue eyes and trying to work out whether he’s genuine or full of shit. Maybe he doesn’t want me seeing into his soul, because he averts his gaze and clears his throat.

‘Why the hell are you on a ward, anyway? This place is horrific. Tabby can’t get better in here. You should be in a private room.’

Ahh, there he is. The belligerent boss-hole, intent on looking down on everyone and everything.

‘Why doyouthink we’re not in a private room?’ I ask him, keeping my voice neutral. There’s no way I’ll let Tabs know I’m counting every penny of this already extortionate experience. That’s what it feels like. Extortion.

He frowns, message received. ‘Yeah, well not for much longer. Give me a minute.’ He turns back towards the entrance of the ward, but Athena stops him.

‘How about this? I’ll speak to the nurses and get your accommodation sorted. Brendan’s right. You can’t heal in here—either of you. Now, I would very much like some time with my goddaughter.’

She bends and tenderly tucks a matted lock of Tabby’s bedhead behind her ear. ‘Maybe we can play hairstylists? Tabs, how do you feel about Brendan taking your mum out for a couple of hours for a little break? We’re staying in a lovely hotel nearby. I think she deserves a shower and a square meal—how about you? And then you and I can have a proper catch-up and you can tell me all about your operation.’

I’m about to protest, because I don’t want to leave Tabby here in this strange hospital, even with Athena, and I definitely don’t want to be alone with Brendan, whose presence is causingall sorts of unwelcome hormonal upheaval in my body and with whom, I remind myself, I’m very, very cross.

Even if the concept of taking a shower might be the most decadent thing I’ve ever conceived of. Right now, even clean underwear would be decadent.

Tabby, however, interjects before I can speak. ‘Yay! Can we, Mummy? I want to play with Athena.’

‘I’ll stay here,’ I say firmly. Personal hygiene is overrated, I’m sure. Besides, there’s a crappy parents’ shower somewhere that I can brave while Athena watches Tabs.

‘Please come and take a break with me,’ Brendan says, his face beseeching. ‘God knows, you deserve it.’

I can’t have a frank conversation with him here. Not in front of Tabs. I can’t tell him where he can stuff his hot shower and fluffy towels and real food.

‘I don’t want to go anywhere with you,’ I say as quietly and menacingly as I can pull off in a noisy children’s ward. ‘“Good friends” wouldn’t try to ambush their mates, would they?’

‘I get that,’ he pleads, ‘but I’m not trying to ambush you, honest. I have—there’s alotto say, I know that, but this is about you. If you want me to give you my keycard and wait for you in the lobby, I will. Just do yourself a favour and take a break, please.’

I consider. He doesn’t seem to have an ulterior motive, but it’s hard to tell with Brendan. He’s fully capable of manipulating people for his own ends even without realising he’s doing it.

And there’s the shower factor. I bet the parents’ one is grim AF.

‘Fine.’

He grins. Smug bastard. ‘I’ll get you back here by dinnertime.’

‘Bring sushi, please,’ Athena tells him. ‘I’m not eating a single thing in here.’

I sigh, feeling outnumbered and vulnerable and even shy. ‘If you’re sure?’ I ask Athena and Tabs.

‘Positively,’ Athena says.

Tabs grins. ‘Go, Mummy.’

‘You need a break, Marlowe.’ Brendan sounds weary, and I realise he and Athena must have had a pretty early start to have got themselves here by lunchtime. He reaches into his pocket and slides a platinum Amex from his wallet. ‘If you can sort out the room situation, I’d be grateful,’ he tells Athena. ‘Whatever it takes. I want a decent bed for Marlowe too, okay? None of this armchair sh—rubbish.’

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