Page 84 of Undertow

I miss the rest of what he says when my Hartford phone buzzes with a message from Julia.

Can’t stop thinking about you. Be careful today. I need you in my bed tonight.

Damn.

“Yo. You listening?”

I look up to see Merrick’s irritated expression.

“What? Yeah. Be careful.”

“That’s not what I said. Who just messaged you?”

Before I can react, he swipes the phone from my hand.

His eyes widen, then fire darts at me. “Have you lost your fucking mind?”

“What? Wasn’t Julia part of the plan? Hell, wasn’t that theentireplan?”

“To seduce her, not to fucking fall in love with her!”

“I’m not?—”

“Save it. You and I have been doing this long enough to cut the bullshit. I saw it in your face when you read the message. I see it now. You care about her. You also know better than anyonehow that ends. Youknow,Shaw. And I’m so fucking tired of cleaning up your blood.”

I look away, my heart pounding violently in my chest. He’s right. About all of it. Only the last part confuses me.

“I know what I’m doing,” I say.

“I sure as fuck hope so.”

He shoves the phone at my chest.

“Now, let’s get your ass officially fired and start the countdown to your personalized bullet, because I don’t think you do.”

THEN: POSSESSIVE AGGRESSION

Scarlett is waiting when I step out of the shower.

I saw her silhouette through the steamy glass when she entered the bathroom, but pretended not to notice until this moment.

“You didn’t wait for me,” she whines, slinking toward me.

“Didn’t know I was supposed to.”

My tone is casual as I move around her and run the towel over my wet hair like I’ve done a million times in my life… like she’s not standing a few feet away scouring my naked body with possessive aggression.

“You know what I mean.”

“Do I? I haven’t ordered dinner yet if that’s what you mean.”

Her pout is a dangerous mix of playful and indignant. “Hilarious.”

But there’s nothing funny about the sinister undertone of our interactions.

“Good job today,” I say as I lean over the sink to check an imaginary blemish on my cheek.

My deflection is also the truth. Shediddo a good job playing her role. I’ve suspected the “shallow blonde socialite” was an act with her since the day we met. Now, I know. The womanis razor sharp, which makes her even more dangerous than I thought.