Before worry could consume her, I grabbed her chin. “Now is not the time to talk about it, but no. It didn’t.” I placed my hand on her lower back, pushing her the remaining distance to Frederick’s office. If she started asking questions about my unspoken hobby, I didn’t want it to be on the busy floor with overeager ears.

Little did she know that yes, what I’d done had gotten out. And no, it hadn’t ruined my image. In fact—I couldn’t quite believe what was happening. Another reason why I needed to talk to Roux.

Arriving at his door, I rapped my knuckles against the frosted glass. I kept telling him he needed a receptionist, but I suppose he’d taken my job while I focused on Tess, and Helen worked for him now.

Frederick opened the door with his back to us. His hair wasn’t its usual perfectly slicked style, seeing as one hand was lodged in the strands. His attire of understated three-piece navy suit with elegant purple tie made me very aware I wasn’t exactly dressed to impress.

I missed wearing a tailored wardrobe—but I didn’t miss why I wasn’t wearing them—I’d much rather be bone-fucking-naked if it meant I could ravage Tess twenty-four-seven.

His voice raised in a French curse as he removed the Bluetooth headset from his ear, spinning to confront us. His face, with its perfect skin and manicured eyebrows, looked about twenty years old not thirty.

His bright blue eyes landed on Tess, then shot back to me before his jaw fell in shock. “Mercer! Man, I thought you’d run off to get hitched.”

Tess stood a little straighter, watching him with a fierceness I started to recognise as defence. She had history with Frederick—I still didn’t know what they talked about the night he watched me almost rape her, then tuck and run after she used the safeword—but she knew Frederick was my closest friend. The only thing close to family I ever had.

Until her.

“Had a few loose ends before tying that particular knot,” I said, entering his office and slapping his shoulder. “C’est bon de te voir.” It’s good to see you.

He nodded, lips spreading into a smile. “You too. Missed your angry face. What’s it been, three weeks?” It didn’t sound like a long time, but in the scheme of things, seeing as we used to spend ten hours a day together—it was a long f**king time.

“Bet Angelique’s happy you don’t have to babysit me anymore.” By babysitting he damn well knew I meant traipsing around the world murdering psychopaths and bribing twisted ass**les.

He laughed. “Well, she got pissed that you left me in charge of this place, leaving me to work double hours, but she got over it.”

I rolled my eyes. “How did you make it up to her?” Did I even want to know what they got up to behind closed doors? I genuinely liked Angelique with her straight black hair and intelligent pretty face, but I couldn’t see any kink in her. I often wondered if Frederick was as completely straight laced as he liked to believe.

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” Roux laughed. “Well, seeing as you’ll find out soon enough, I’ll tell you now.” He motioned us forward, spreading his arm to encompass the heavy oak desk and black leather couches facing each other. “I hired her.”

“You what?” My head snapped up as I sat beside Tess on the supple leather.

“Hey, you couldn’t expect me to work here every hour of the day and not get nagged when I got home, could you? I figured I’d put her on the payroll—that way we’d see each other all the time.” He sat down, hoisting his navy trousers before sitting with his legs spread on the opposite couch. “Don’t tell her this, but she’s amazing. That stupid law degree she’d been practicing—hell she’s doing wonders for Moineau. Not to mention, she’s great at bringing me coffee—amongst other things.”

I blinked. Did he just hint at office sex? In my building. Who was I f**king kidding? I was happy for him. I’d worried I’d put too much responsibility on him and was glad he’d flourished.

Frederick turned to Tess, looking her up and down. “How are you?”

Tess’s eyes flickered to mine, adrift with questions. I kept my face unreadable but it only took a second for her to slot the pieces together. Damn intelligent woman.

She nodded, keeping her back straight and face impassive. “I’m better. Thank you. Without you pushing Q—I don’t know where I’d be.”

To anyone who hadn’t whipped her with a whisk last night, she looked poised and collected. Only I knew the stiffness really meant wariness, not aloofness.

Frederick shrugged. “No thanks necessary. I’m glad it worked out. I couldn’t stomach the thought of you walking away from what you two obviously have.”

I huffed, glaring daggers at him. Frederick got the message and shut up.

Tess said, “I never got a chance to thank you for helping Q find me, either. I know you were there. I vaguely remember parts of it—your voice. You holding me.”

My muscles locked down. She f**king remembered? I thought she’d been so cracked out she hadn’t recalled what I’d done on her behalf. Did she recollect the reeking, dripping heart as I placed it at her feet?

Frederick shot me a glance, raising his eyebrow as if to say: I told you. You should’ve just killed him and not put more awful memories in her head.

I glowered at him. Fuck off.

“I’m glad you’re doing better. I knew Q would bring you back. Had every faith.” Clearing his throat, he looked at me. “You know, I got a call from Suzette yesterday.” Amusement shadowed his features. “Seems you’ve let her go a little wild.”

Tess’s eyes narrowed. “What did she say?”

I leaned forward, clasping my hands between my spread legs. “Yes, Roux. Qu’est ce qu'elle a dit?” What did she say?

His eyes twinkled. “Nothing much. You know she never tells me anything. Closed book.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Bullshit. I happen to know you’re on her speed-dial. She spills everything to you.” I glared harder, knowing full well he knew far too much about my ridiculous meltdowns—thanks to a meddling maid. “You know what I’m talking about.”

Tess looked between us, trying to unravel what we left unsaid.

“She knows she can call me. She and Angelique are getting rather close, too. It’s nice to see her making friends.”