‘Ava!’ She sounds surprised. ‘You never said that you were going away.’

‘Last minute, Ruth. Is everything okay?’

‘Yes, fine, but I’ve changed my mind on the cabinets for the kitchen. Can we meet to discuss?’

‘Of course,’ I only just supress my sigh. ‘I’ve got piles of paperwork to get through, so can we say tomorrow?’

‘Twelve?’ she counters, not demanding today which is a pleasant surprise.

‘I’ll see you then, Ruth.’ I hang up and make the best job of an unaffected face. It’s not hard, actually. I’m not at all affected by my last two telephone conversations. I feel empowered, like I’m taking charge to things rather than letting them take charge of me.

I land at my desk and spend the rest of my Tuesday clearing the build-up of paperwork.

* * *

Six o’clock comes around fast, and I’m the last the leave the office. Patrick didn’t return to work as planned, but called to assure me that he’d be in tomorrow. I’ll talk to him then, but I’m disappointed. I feel the compulsion to rid myself of this mind burden without delay.

I get straight into the big black Range Rover without a sigh, falter or complaint. ‘Hi, John.’

‘Girl,’ He pulls off into the traffic. ‘How was your day?’

‘Constructive. Yours?’

‘Magnificent.’ he rumbles.

I get the feeling he’s being cynical. ‘Where are we going?’ I slouch back in my chair, hoping he says Lusso, but I won’t hold my breath. Jesse would’ve collected me himself if we were going home.

‘The Manor, girl. How did it go with your boss?’ He flicks his covered eyes to me, a curious look flickering across his face.

‘It didn’t. He wasn’t in today.’

‘That’ll please the crazy mother f**ker.’ He laughs.

I smile my agreement. I know it will, but I can’t tell Patrick if he’s not there to tell. I can’t be blamed for it, but at least I can say that I’ve told Mikael. That’ll show my intention was there, and it really was.

* * *

I jump out the second John pulls to a stop and take the steps fast, unlocking and pushing my way through the doors. ‘He said to wait in the bar for him, girl.’ John calls to my back, but I pretend not to hear him. I’m not waiting in the bar. After having him to myself for three days, my first day back at work has been the longest ever. I hot foot it past the stairs, towards the back of The Manor and through the summer room before John can catch me. The usual gatherings of members are here, but I don’t hang around to gage the reaction to my presence.

I steam straight into Jesse’s office, without knocking and without stopping to think that I could be barging in on a business meeting. I’ve had some shocks when doing this before.

And I’m shocked now.

Chapter 28

‘Dan?’ I say warily, staring at my brothers back. He’s sitting opposite Jesse at his desk, and he turns at the sound of his name. ‘What are you doing here?’ The sudden astronomical consequences of his visit hits me hard.

‘Hey, kiddo.’ He stands, all smiling, and makes his way over to me, stooping to hug me. ‘Congratulations.’

‘I might get to tell someone myself soon.’ I grumble, landing Jesse with a reproachful look over my brother’s shoulder. He shrugs sheepishly and pouts before mouthing I love you and pulling at his suit jacket, and then his shirt, as if reminding me that he dressed in what I asked this morning, so I should go easy on him.

‘So what are you doing here?’ I repeat, cocking my head at Jesse, but he just shrugs again and remains quiet. It’s a novelty.

‘Making amends.’ Dan releases me and runs his hand through his dark mop. ‘I didn’t want to go home without sorting this out.’

‘Oh?’ I look at Jesse, but damn him he just shrugs again. ‘So you’re friends?’

‘Something like that. Anyway, I need to shoot. I’m meeting Harvey up west.’ He turns to Jesse. ‘Thanks.’

‘No problem.’ Jesse nods, not bothering to be civil and stand to see Dan out. That and the nonchalant shrugs leaves me very suspicious.

‘When are you heading back?’ I ask when he’s facing me again.

‘I’m not sure. Depends on flights. I’ll call you, okay.’ He kisses my cheek and heads past me, meeting the big guy at the door. John shakes his menacing head at me before escorting my brother from Jesse’s office. What’s he doing here, anyway?

I point my suspiciousness at Jesse, and I know he knows what I’m thinking because he’s refusing to meet my eyes. ‘What was all that about?’

‘What?’

I walk over to the sofa and drop my bag down before taking the seat my brother has just vacated. ‘Look at me.’ I demand. Those three words always do the trick, but not because he’s obeying me. It’s because he’s always shocked to hear them. I don’t care. He can look at me stunned all he likes. ‘Why was Dan here?’

He stands and picks his phone up from the desk. ‘He apologised.’

I laugh in his face. Dan would never apologise, not to Jesse. I’ve known him my whole life, and I know he’s far too proud to back down, especially to a man like Jesse. Dan feels inferior, as most men do. Just because he’s my brother, doesn’t eliminate the testosterone batting between them. ‘I don’t believe you.’

‘That makes me sad, baby.’ He pulls a solemn face, which raises my suspicions further. ‘Now, tell me. What did Patrick say?’