Page 81 of Power
I glared at her. “You know, for someone who just found out her boyfriend might be in danger, you’re disturbingly cheerful. Did you replace your blood with champagne when I wasn’t looking?”
Tessa’s smile fell, and she stared at her wineglass as she swirled the red liquid around, creating a miniature burgundy tornado.
“You’re right. Sorry.” She squared her shoulders. “Okay, back to the plan. What is the plan exactly?”
“First of all, I’ve already applied for two other jobs.”
“You’re quitting? That’s your grand plan?” Disbelief dripped from every word.
“My plan of attack has multiple levels,” I explained, setting my glass down with a soft clink. “I need to be smart here and protect myselfandJace. So, parallel to the big plan, I’m going to be looking for another job, just in case.”
“I guess that’s smart …” She fiddled with the delicate silver bracelet on her wrist.
“Which leads me to the second part.” I leaned in. “I need proof. I need to bring Jace evidence that Marcus is the one who harassed me and is now threatening him.”
“Maybe we should ask Blake how to approach Marcus?” Tessa suggested. “Maybe he’s met him before?”
“If you ask Blake, he’ll go to Jace, and then Jace will be tipped off, and Marcus will have an opportunity to weasel his way out of all of this.” I shook my head firmly.
“But if this guy is dangerous, I want to warn Blake.”
“Give me a day or two.” Surely, Marcus wouldn’t have a reason to turn into a serial killer within forty-eight hours.
“So, what is your plan to get this proof?” Tessa mirrored my posture.
“I’m going to wait until the office is mostly cleared out. And then I’m going to tell Marcus that I want to meet with him.”
A crease appeared between her brows. “Trapping yourself alone with a guy who might be dangerous sounds risky.”
“When he left me, he gave me a choice: to drop this or face the consequences. So, it stands to reason that he’s waiting for an answer.” I tapped my nails against the table. “I’m going to give him that answer. But I want to be recording audio when I do it. All I have to do is catch him saying one thing that corroborates my story, and then I can take that to Jace.”
“But what if he?—”
“Tessa?” Blake’s voice boomed down the entryway, interrupting whatever objection she was about to raise.
“In here!” she chirped.
“I thought he wasn’t going to be home tonight?” I whispered.
Not that I minded seeing Blake. He was a really good guy. It was just that this was a very private conversation, one that I did not want her to share with her boyfriend right now.
She shrugged, lips quirking apologetically. “His hours are unpredictable sometimes.”
Right. ER doctors.
“Remember what you promised: that this conversation was just between the two of us,” I said, my voice low but firm.
Based on Tessa’s pursed lips, I could tell she didn’t like this, but her slight nod told me she would oblige. At least for now.
“Scarlett.” Blake entered the room, wearing black pants and a fitted black shirt that emphasized his broad shoulders. “I didn’t know you were coming over tonight.” His voice had changed in the time since I’d first met him. Before, it had been gruff and grouchy. Now, there was a lighter side to it, like someone had finally adjusted his settings frombrooding herotoactual human being.
Case in point, he walked over to Tessa and kissed her on her forehead like a lovesick puppy. He might be huge and muscular and smart enough to save lives, but he was seriously becoming a bit of a golden retriever if you asked me.
Which, yes, was beyond adorable. And he treated Tessa like a queen, so Blake was golden in my book.
“I was just about to leave,” I said, already gathering my purse.
“No need.” Blake waved a dismissive hand. His doctor eyes settled on my cheek. Stepping closer, he put his finger beneath my chin and tilted it toward the light to get a better view, his clinical assessment mode apparently never fully off.
