Page 42 of Retribution

I nod and we exit the building, making our way to the library while Lu gushes about Shakespeare plays, both to meandJacob. I choose one of the tables for two upstairs as far away from the ones that Bennett and I sat at before. Jacob plants himself at another one a little further away. I wonder why he’s positioned himself across the room until Lu snorts.

‘Fucking knew Shakespeare talk would bore the shit out of him,’ she whispers. ‘Now we can at least chat without him eavesdropping.’

‘You did that on purpose?’ I ask.

‘Of course. That dude hasn’t cracked a book since required reading in high school. I guarantee it. He’s probably over there looking up the football scores right now and wishing he was anywhere but here!’

I glance over at the burly bodyguard and giggle quietly when I see that he’s engrossed in his phone.

Lu and I sit in the library for over an hour, talking quietly as we pretend to work. All too soon, however, Jacob gets up, stretches, and taps his watch.

‘I have to go,’ I say, squeezing Lu’s hand.

She nods.

‘Veare not finished.’ She tuts at Jacob like he’s a massive inconvenience to her. ‘Iweellcome tozehouse tomorrow and we can finish.Yes?’

I nod. ‘Yeah, that sounds good. I don’t have class tomorrow, so I’ll just be home.’

Locked in my room, probably, or hanging out with Nasty Nurse. Won’t that be fun?

‘Excellent. Do not forget your coat and bag, my friend.’ She glances up at Jacob. ‘And I see your mountain man tomorrow as well?’

‘Uh,’ Jacob pulls at his collar again. ‘I won’t be there, Ma’am. I’m just around when Ms. Novelle leaves the estate.’

Lu makes a sound of disappointment. ‘A pity. I would love to tell you aboutZeTwelfth Night. Iteeza verysexyplay.’

‘Yes, Ma’am,’ Jacob murmurs, turning away quickly.

I snort and give Lu a quick hug.

‘Thanks,’ I whisper.

She gives me a wink. ‘See you tomorrow, comrade.’

Jacob escorts me out of the library to where Joe’s town car dropped us off earlier. It’s waiting in the same place. When the driver opens the door, this time I look inside first, happy to find that neither Joe, nor anyone else, is in there waiting for me. I think that Jacob might ride with me in the back, but he doesn’t. He gets in the passenger seat at the front instead.

I put on my seatbelt and press the button to close the partition, taking a few minutes to relax before we get back to the Novelle house. I look for a camera just in case, but there’s nothing that I can see, so I delve into my backpack, taking out my laptop and seeing what else is in there.

I chuckle when I find a woman's razor with a sticky note on it from Lu saying she doesn’t want me to turn into a hairy heifer in rich people prison. Other than that, she’s put in some of my underwear and my preferred feminine products, though I hope I’m not going to be stuck in the Novelle house long enough to need them. I also see my mother’s diary. At least I’ll have something to read tonight.

At the very bottom of the bag, there’s a tiny bit of papersafety pinned to the seam. I get it out and look at it, but all it has on it is a smiley face that’s winking.

I see we’re at the gate to the house, so I put everything back in the bag and close it up.

When we get to the steps, Stephens is there to open my door. I get out quickly, wanting to be away from anything Joe-related, and hurry up the stairs next to him.

‘Where is Nasty Nurse?’ I whisper.

He cracks a smile at the name. ‘Waiting for you, I’m afraid. Mr. Novelle has returned as well.’

I let out a sound of disgust. ‘Great. What’s for dinner?’

‘Nasty Nurse ordered river trout.’

My heart sinks. ‘Ew.’

‘However,someonein the kitchen put in the wrong order, so it’ll have to be steak pie, potatoes, and gravy with French beans. Apologies, Miss Marguerite.’