Page 17

Bishop

I think she changed the radio station five times during the drive to my place. She must have taken my comments about talking as a challenge because she barely said five words to me. When I pulled up outside my house, I reached out and switched off the music.

“I’ve been away for three weeks, so I doubt there’s anything edible inside. There’s a nice restaurant on the other side of town. I need to go out for an hour, so I’ll give you a quick tour of the house and leave you to unpack. I’ll make a reservation for …” I checked my watch. “For eight. It’s six now. Do you think you can hold out that long, or are you going to starve to death?”

“I think I can manage. I ate on the plane, anyway.”

I nodded and unclipped my belt. “Let’s go inside, then.”

She was already out of the car by the time I rounded it and had the trunk open.

“Remember what I said about the heavy lifting?” I placed my hands on her shoulders and moved her to the side. It was hard to miss the way she tensed under my touch. “Relax, Eden. I just need to get to the cases.” I reached in and took out two of the suitcases. Placing them on the ground, I pulled a set of keys out of my pocket and handed them to her. “Go and unlock the door. The alarm is on the wall to the right. The code is 9637485. Punch in the numbers, then hit the green button. Repeat it back to me.”

She blinked. “I …”

“9637485,” I repeated slowly. “Tell me.”

“9637485.”

I nodded. “Good girl. Go inside.”

I took out the third case, loaded myself up and followed her up the steps to the front door. She was punching in the number when I entered, and I caught her sigh of relief when the alarms didn’t go off.

“Got it right first time,” she said in response to my smile.

“Gold star for you.” My voice was dry.

She rolled her eyes, and I bit back a chuckle.

“The kitchen is directly ahead, living room to the left, my office to the right.” I jerked my chin in each direction, hefted the cases, and moved toward the stairs. “I’ll show you to your room.”

I could hear her close behind me as I moved along the hallway to the bedroom at the end. Nudging the door open with my foot, I stepped through and dropped two of the cases at the foot of the bed. “There’s a bathroom through that door. Walk-in closet on the other side of the room. Make yourself at home. I’ll pick up a new cell phone for you while I’m out, but there is a landline connected in the house. You’ll find phones in the downstairs hall near the door, the kitchen, and one in the living room. I’ll write my number down. Do not open the door to anyone while I’m out. No one knows you’re here and I don’t have guests.”

I straightened and turned to find her hovering in the doorway. “Eden?”

She blinked and refocused on me. “Sorry.” A small frown creased her brow. “I think everything is catching up with me.” Her eyes met mine, and her teeth sank into her bottom lip.

I crossed the room and stopped in front of her. “Four weeks and you’ll have a new life far away from New York and your ex-boyfriend.”

Her nod was jerky.

“Eden, look at me.” I reached out and tipped her head back with one finger beneath her chin. “I’m the best at what I do.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“What if your friends don’t believe we’re really married?”

“They will. They have no other relationship to compare it with. I’ve never introduced anyone to my friends or family before. All you need to do is help me sell the lie.”

“But what if I can’t?”

Her real question hung silently between us.

“I’m not going to just dump you on the street to fend for yourself. I gave you my word I’d help you, and that’s what I’ll do. The only person who needs to believe the lie is Susannah.”

“But what if—”

“Don’t borrow problems that don’t exist.” I dropped my hand and stepped around her. “I’ll write my cell number down and leave it beside the phone in the kitchen. You shouldn’t have any need to use it, but it’s there just in case. I’ll be back at seven-thirty. The restaurant I’m booking a table at is formal, so no jeans. Feel free to explore, just stay out of my office.”

She followed me along the landing and down the stairs.

“Where are you going?”

“I want to check in with my brother. He’s had some drama of his own recently. I’ll be back.” I pulled open the door and walked back to my car.

She still hadn’t gone back inside by the time I was in the seat and had the engine running. I slid down the window. “Go inside and lock the door.”

I caught the flash of her smile before the door swung shut, sealing her inside.

After a quick detour to the closest cell phone store, I parked outside Rook’s place, climbed out and rapped on the door.

It took him ten minutes to answer. When the door opened, it was to reveal my brother in a partial state of undress. Trousers unbuttoned, shirt open, hair sticking up. I arched an eyebrow.

He shrugged. “Wasn’t expecting company.”

“Is Magdalena presentable, at least?”

Rook grinned. “No, she’s cursing up a storm over your timing. She’ll be down in a few minutes. I thought we were meeting at Crosby’s.”

“I came home instead of going straight there. My plans changed. I might need you to do something for me.”