Page 185 of On Edge

“Is that what that noise was? The banging at night?” I must have said that out loud, because Sage is looking at me with a frown.

“Oh yeah, that was me. I did come in and check you were asleep before I started looking.”

Sage clenches her fist and hits me with it. “That’s for scaring the hell out of me.”

I laugh, I can’t help it.

“We should turn it over to the authorities,” I say finally. “Let the system handle it.”

Sage pulls back to look at me. “You’re going to trust the system?”

“Fuck it, I’m done. Once I show Joanna, why do I need any of this? Give it to the police.” I take her face in my hands. “I’m not going to drag you into another bloody war, and anyway, he’s dead; everyone on my list is dead.”

There’s no one left for me to kill.

She searches my face, then nods. “Okay. But make copies, and can your PA call my mother and invite her for lunch? There’s something I need to ask her.”

“Your mother?”

“I know she was never on your list, but she’s always been on mine. And I need to know how I almost died. She’s the only person left. Dad, burn his soul, wouldn’t tell me.”

“You think she knows?”

“Oh, she knows.”

“Then it’s done.”

Sage smiles, her hazel eyes searching mine. “I love it when you say it like that. Like you’re my fairy godmother, waving your magic wand for me.”

I pull her to me and taste her. She moans in my mouth, just as I hear Pippa calling for Sage. I wish I could magic away that damn interior designer so I don’t have to stop.

“How about we lock the door?”

Sage looks horrified. “We can’t do that.”

“Why not? Then I could fuck you right here, right now, to celebrate.”

Pippa calls again, sounding very close. “No,” she hisses and pushes me off her.

Ben, sensing the moment has passed, gets up and trots over to join in the fray. Sage laughs, pulling him back before he can drool on the documents.

“We should probably secure this before your dog destroys it.”

“Our dog,” I correct. “And yes, probably.”

As we’re carefully repacking everything, Sage pauses. “Troy? Those last three letters, ILY. I think…that was me telling youI Love You.”

I stop moving. “I see.”

“So, you see, I’ve always loved you…” she tails off, nervous all of a sudden.

“But I know something you don’t.” I pull her close again.

“And what’s that?”

“That I loved you first.”

She gives me a bemused look. “How do you work that one out?”