Page 56 of The Hardest Hit

“I think so,” said Jackson. “He went to his usual therapy appointment last night and then this morning he seemed… good. Kind of bummed out about the train and the whole situation, but we did actually talk for once. I think I’m going to keep driving him to work.”

“Find out anything good?”

“He thinks Aiden is smart and that he’s glad Aiden is dating Ella because she’ll keep Aiden on his toes.”

“Ha! I agree. Plus, their names would look pretty on a wedding invitation.”

Jackson chuckled. “You do realize that good design is not a reason to maintain a relationship?”

“Nonsense. Good graphic design is everything.”

Jackson snorted.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that he’s doing well,” continued Dominique, “but I think I might pop in on him tonight and return his suitcase.”

“Can’t hurt,” said Jackson.

“Max wants to know—unofficially, you understand—if you’re following up on thepersons,” Dominique’s voice was the vocal equivalent of holding a dirty sock at arms-length, “from the train. Because he thought it was weird and it should not be left alone.”

Jackson felt his face stretch in a smile. Dominique’s boyfriend was very careful to keep the lines between the Deverauxes and his job as US Marshall painstakingly clear. But Jackson knew better than to mistake his professionalism for a lack of interest. Max was a very good addition to the family. He wasn’t sure of the design aesthetic on Maxwell and Dominique, but he hoped Dominique planned on making him permanent.

“Yeah, I’m working on it right now.”

“Oh, good,” said Dominique. “He was starting to get the twitchy,I-need-to-investigatelook in his eye. But I know he’ll relax if you’re on it.”

“Tell him not to worry.”

“Oh, he’ll still worry, and he’s insisting on me taking zero public transportation until further notice. But he’ll at least take it down from DEFCON three.”

“I’ll have more info tomorrow,” said Jackson. “I’ll call a meeting if it’s crucial. Probably just send a text though and catch up at Sunday dinner.”

“Whatever you think best. OK, now I have to go, my intern—I have an intern now,” she sounded incredibly smug, “is hopping up and down and waving papers at me.”

“A sure sign of distress. Good luck.”

“Bye!”

Dominique hung up, and Jackson tossed the phone in the passenger seat while he drove. Once on the eastside he parked down the street from a nice apartment building, ignored the front door and doorman, and slid through the service entrance while a laundry service crew was negotiating the loading dock.

He jogged up the interior stair of the apartment building and knocked on twelve-ohhhh-three. Riley O’Keir had added a series of cute cut-out H’s to her number because even ADAs like to craft. His last knock had barely sounded when the door sprang open.

“Hurry up,” she said, grabbing him by the lapel and yanking him inside. She planted her mouth on his and began to push his jacket off. He kicked the door shut and unzipped her dress.

Riley was a Marilyn Monroe type, and while that wasn’t exactly his usual taste, he had to admit that only an idiot would turn down a shot at her voluptuous curves. He also didn’t generally care for the bleach blonde look, but it covered a first-rate, and creatively dirty, mind. They’d been periodically on fucking terms for the last year depending on her man status at any given time.

She slithered out of her dress and pulled him toward the bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt. “I do need to talk to you about your cousin,” she said, giving up on the shirt and going straight for the pants.

“Which one?” he asked, kicking out of his shoes and leaving them in the hall, before pulling his shirt off over his head.

“Aiden,” she said, as he unsnapped her bra and kissed her neck.

“Fine,” he said pushing her up against the wall. “Wanted to ask you about Evan.”

“Yeah, him too,” she agreed, giving a wiggle to help in removing her panties. She had pushed his pants off his hips and was working on his underwear. Mostly. Sort of. She was also just working his cock. He groaned as she nibbled his ear and stroked him into hardness. He turned his head and captured her mouth and helped himself to her breasts.

“But you know,” she said, pulling away, “afterwards.”

“Right,” he agreed.