Page 117 of Loverboy
He turns to go. “If you need anything, though, go ahead and call me. I’ll answer.”
Oh, like that will ever happen. “Thanks,” I grunt.
My nurse struts back in just then. “The mayor of New York was here to see you?” Her eyebrows practically disappear into her silver hair. “Aren’t we fancy. But now I need everyone to clear out of here. You can have one more minute with your wife before we send you down for a couple of tests.”
“I’m not his—” Posy says, but it’s too late. The nurse has marched out again.
“Well then. Take care,” Carl says.
“Thank you.” I lean back against the pillow and take another sip of my new best friend. “This is really invigorating,” I say, swirling it around in the travel mug. “Who knew?”
“Literally everyone,” Max says. Obviously now that I’m not dead, he’s back to being his usual know-it-all self. “I’ll be back tonight to check in on you. Got a lead to chase down, first.”
“What is it?” I ask, because I can’t help myself.
“I heard that Xian Smith was detained at the border. He was in a limo headed to Canada.”
“Really. That’s interesting.”
“Only if it’s true. See you soon. Duff is stationed right outside, if you need anything.” He gives me a wave and slips out the door.
I’m alone again with Posy, which is a nice way to be. “Is there anything I can do for you?” she asks.
“Just come here a minute.” I beckon to her. “That’s all I ever needed from you.”
Smiling, she steps closer.
“I mean, it would be great if you could get me out of here.”
“That’s going to have to wait,” she says, carefully draping an arm around me. “But as soon as they let me, I’ll take you home and make a fuss over you.”
“Aw, that sounds nice. Will there be pie?”
“There will. And I hate to point this out, but it seems like you’re stuck in your least favorite city until you heal up.”
“That’s okay with me, so long as I can get more of your attention. I’ll try not to hate New York as much as I used to.”
She kisses me on an unbandaged part of my face. “Well, your disdain for my city makes more sense now. When is the jerk’s term up, anyway?”
“At the end of the year.” That’s when his influence over the city will wane. It’s a shame I let his influence over me affect me as much as I did. “Fuck it. I’m asking Max for a permanent transfer to Manhattan. Effective immediately.”
Posy lets out a squeak of surprise just as I capture her pretty face between my fingertips and kiss her. Right on the mouth.
35
Posy
Seven Months Later
I’m late,damn it. So when I see the elevators at the SoHo Luxe starting to close, I put on a burst of speed. “Hold the elevator,” I gasp, skating on my dressy shoes toward the closing gap.
A hand shoots out to stop the progression of the doors.
“Thank you,” I gasp as I step over the threshold.
“What floor, miss?” asks the woman. She’s wearing a maid’s pinafore and carrying a stack of towels.
I’m instantly suspicious. She may be an operative in disguise. I know things.
