Page 52 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

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F riday morning, I fly out to Vermont. Adrian’s had a week to sulk, and that’s fucking enough. For two years, I’ve tiptoed around the issue. I’ve hinted that he needs to deal with his demons. I’ve told him over and over again that he had nothing to do with Sandy’s death.

I’m done being subtle and understanding. I don’t care if I have to drag him back to DC, kicking and screaming. Whether he likes it or not, he’s going to listen to reason.

I find Adrian kneeling next to the tree that Sandy had collided into. He looks up as I make my way down the trail. “They rope this path off in summer,” I point out to him. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

“And you are?” he asks dryly. He pulls a weed from the small garden I’ve planted around the tree. Yellow black-eyed Susans jockey with pink coneflowers. The air is scented with the fragrance of lavender. “I didn’t realize you’d done this. It’s beautiful.”

I sit down on the ground. “I scattered Sandy’s ashes here.”

His lips curve into a smile. “She’d have liked that,” he says. “She’d have thought it was funny.”

“Yup. She’d have joked that she was going to spend her afterlife haunting this tree.” I look at Adrian. “What the hell, buddy?”

He shuts his eyes. “I know. I’ve been sitting in the cabin all week, thinking. Confronting my fucking demons, as you so eloquently put it in your note.”

“And?” I pull out a stubborn dandelion from the soil.

“And I can’t predict the future.”

“No shit. Tell me something I don’t know.”

He smiles faintly. “What’s happening in DC?”

“The cops searched Downing’s apartment, and found photos of women being abused.” I don’t want to think about those pictures. “Even if Katya doesn’t press charges, he’s still looking at extended jail time.” I wipe the dirt off my hands. “As we predicted, the senator has disavowed his son.”

“Good. Was Katya able to meet with him? Ask him to intervene in her father’s case?”

I nod. “It’s probably an unfamiliar emotion for him, but Ted Downing’s definitely feeling guilty.

I’m not sure he knew how bad things had got with Raymond.

” I shrug. “Senator Downing is, above all things, a politician. For the moment, it’s expedient for him to pressure the Russian government for news about the missing journalist.” I try and think of what else is going on.

“Oh, Patrick Cohen called. He wants our teams back in Mexico.”

“Fuck him. Add a million-dollar early cancellation clause to his contract.”

I laugh. “Already done.” I tug at another weed, my smile fading. “I found a pair of platinum cuffs in your room.”

“I was going to give them to Fiona,” he admits.

“ Was going to give them?” I stare at him in exasperation. “Seriously? Are you still blaming yourself for Sandy’s death?”

“No.” He straightens his shoulders. “It was an accident. She died doing something she loved. She was happy.” He takes a deep breath. “At the end of the day, that’s all I can do. Life happens. I can’t wrap Fiona in a cocoon. It would smother her.”

“So what’s the hold-up? Why aren’t we back in DC, knocking on her door?”

“I want a future with her,” he says. He hesitates. “I hurt Fiona. Maybe it’s best if I stay away from her.”

I get up. “I’m done with this bullshit,” I tell him. “Stop treating Fiona like a child. Get your ass to DC. Apologize to her. And if she throws you out, then stay away from her. But give her a chance to decide what she wants first.”

His jaw tightens, and for a second, I wonder if I’ve pushed too hard. Then a smile spreads across his face. “Fair enough,” he agrees, getting to his feet. “Let’s go find Fiona.”