Page 68

That reminds me of the talk I had with Michael. He told me he saw Trent at a café near the university. He started working at theUniversity of Illinois a few weeks ago, after moving back from Seattle, I think. Michael teaches in a different department, but bumping into each other must not be so uncommon. Michael said Trent asked after me. I don’t know how I feel about all this. About him. Not after what has happened with Uri.

I’ll see Trent at my lecture since he texted me he’ll be there. But do I care about his presence?

“I’ll be on campus to give a lecture on Friday,” I tell Ren, trying to clear my head.

“I saw it in the course material. The lecture hall is a twenty-minute walk from the veterinary building. I have to talk to a teacher, but I’ll pass by if I can make it.”

“Hope you’ll give more lectures so that I can come too in the future,” Sully says sweetly.

“I definitely will.” I smile and take a sip of orange juice. My eyes find the nature outside the kitchen window; it’s a white smooth blanket of quiet. Rague has quite a few acres of vegetation around his cottage; it looks lovely in spring. I’m so taken by my work sometimes I forget to just…stay still and enjoy.

Ren’s snort brings me back to the kitchen.

“Do you know a club called Madame Claudette’s?” He’s frowning at his phone.

I shake my head.

“Why?” Sully asks, placing two slices of cheesecake in front of us on the wooden dining table. I quickly dive into it. Ollie makes the best cheesecakes.

“I think Lori texted me this message by mistake.” He shows us the text.

Lori

Bones! How can Super Model go to Madame Claudette’s kink club?? Bloody fuck! He’s a daft moron!

Bones is what Lori calls Michael, and Super Model is Uri.

“Madame Claudette’s… Isn’t it one of those exclusive places?” Ren makes a suggestive face I don’t understand. “I think I heard Rami talking about it to Hunter.”

“What kind of exclusive places?” I whisper. I have an ominous feeling all of a sudden.

“Ah, maybe I’m wrong. It could be a boring gentlemen’s club.”

“Like one where women are banned and whiskered men drink scotch and smoke cigars while reading newspapers in front of a fireplace?” Sully gives us a very vivid image.

I can’t picture Uri in a place like that, though, if they still exist.

“Women are not banned, I can assure you.” I know what Ren is implying now, and the images that his words evoke make my heart lose a beat.

I stand up and move toward the sofa a few feet away, hearing Sully’s laugh. I tap on Lori’s contact, but it goes to voicemail, so I go for Michael’s.

“What’s Madame Claudette’s club?” I ask, without giving him a chance to speak as he picks up.

“Who told you about it?”

“Does it matter?” When he doesn’t reply, I continue, “Does Uri go there?”

There’s a moment of silence. “Yes, he’s a member.” Raph is the one to answer.

Another of his secrets comes to light. Another stab to the chest.

“What kind of club is it?”

“It’s an establishment that caters to individuals with specific tastes.”

“What tastes, Raph?” My voice is trembling, and I’m glad I’m sitting on the sofa or my legs would have given out under me.

“If you really want to find out, you should go see for yourself.”