Read Story: SEASON 2 EPISODE 114

He stepped closer until he was within arm’s reach. His eyes flicked around in the low light of the garden.

“I suppose we could find a way for him to disappear, if that’s what you need. It’d be overkill—and costly—but it’s your money.”

“Uh… think I’ll pass on that one,” I said.

“My recommendation as well, but it’s my job to give you all the options.”

“Don’t you think we should ask Phoebe?” Erin asked.

She was right. If anyone deserved a say in this, it was Nate’s mother—and Jim’s victim.

“You’re right,” I said. “Erin, can you find Phoebe and bring her to my study? I think she’ll want to hear this in person.”

“You got it, boss,” she said.

Boss. I guess things were back to normal.

“Henry—”

“Best I stay out of that conversation,” he said. “Too many people knowing what I do for you would be… disadvantageous.”

I nodded. “I’ll let you know what she wants.”

I looked back at Erin. “Could you get her in maybe thirty minutes?” I cut my eyes in the direction of the dancers. “There’s something I need to take care of before I meet with her.”

Erin gave me a knowing look and nodded. “Yeah. I can do that. In the meantime, I’ll make myself scarce.”

“See you in thirty minutes, then.”

She turned and headed back toward the party.

“Thanks, Henry,” I said. “This was good work. And sorry about what I said… I didn’t mean anything by it. I know I pulled you off the VanCamp search to get me.”

“It’s fine,” he said. “Speaking of VanCamp, once this Lucas business is wrapped up, I plan on visiting Europe to assess the situation. I suspect he’s slipped out of Amsterdam by now, so we’ll have to find his trail.”

“What about Ryo?” I asked.

“He’s well-protected here, and I’ll make sure one of my best continues to press him for information. Garrett is something of an artist when it comes to not leaving bruises.”

“Jesus,” I said. “Okay, then.”

I was aware that there was a very good chance that Roger VanCamp was lost to the wind forever. Helen might never get the closure she needed from confronting the man, and I might never get the revenge I wanted on the man. He was responsible for killing one of my security detail and nearly getting Natashya and me murdered. I wasn’t sure what ‘revenge’ meant, but I hoped I had the chance to confront him one day.

“Well,” I added, “I’ll let you know what Phoebe decides. In the meantime, enjoy the party.”

“Before you go,” Psalter said, falling into step beside me, “I wanted to ask… who initiated the relationship between you and Chloe?”

I side-eyed him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Hmm. She told you not to tell anyone. If I had to guess, I’d say she came onto you.”

I didn’t answer… just stared straight ahead as we walked back toward the crowd.

“She likes you,” he said. “If I were you, I’d release her. Let her find work elsewhere.”

“Chloe’s a big girl,” I said. “She can make her own decisions.”

“I’m well aware,” Henry replied. “I’m simply asking a favor. Beneath all that iron and stone is a little girl swimming in an unimaginable ocean of grief. I’m just asking that you not contribute to it.”

I gave him a full stare. Then glanced back toward the entrance to the garden.

“That’s why you said the thing about a bonus?”

“No,” he said. “Listen, I know you’re busy, and I’ll leave you to your decadence. Just think about what I said… and let me know what you decide regarding the Lucases.

Without waiting for a reply, Henry took a long sip of his beer and split off.

I wanted to call him back, but I also didn’t want to draw unwanted attention to him while I was out in the open… which might have been just what he wanted. Psalter was a crafty guy, that’s for sure.

Why did he care about Chloe enough to call me, his employer, out like that? Was she like a daughter to him?

I searched around the rooftop, scanning the myriad of people present, but I couldn’t find any sign of Chloe. Perhaps she’d already left and gone to bed—she wasn’t exactly the party girl type.

Giving Psalter, who was now talking to Chandler, one final glance, I decided to move on for the moment. I made a mental note to follow up with him later for more details.

Continuing toward the dance floor, I stopped next to Rose, who was engaged in deep conversation with Ian. Stopping beside the slender beauty, I watched as Natalie, Emily, and Shea were all dancing together to some kind of hyped dance music. Nearby, Richie was dancing with Natashya, and looked absolutely smitten with the exotic dancer as she moved. She wasn’t being overtly sexual as she danced with her girlfriend’s younger brother, but with her Eastern European good looks and killer body showcased in a bikini that didn’t leave much to the imagination, it was hard to ignore one’s libido.

“Looks like your brother’s got a crush,” a voice said. I glanced beside me to see Charity standing next to me, chewing thoughtfully on the edge of a cup as she studied the dancing couple. She cut her eyes up at me as her dark-painted lips curled into a smile.

“Well, that would be awkward,” I said.

“Considering she’s his sister’s girlfriend?”

“And his brother’s former fling,” I said.

Her mouth fell open as she gaped at me. “You fucked your sister’s girlfriend!?”

“No,” I said. “I fucked Natashya. My sister started something with her in Vegas… after we’d fucked.”

“It wasn’t…”

“While I was kidnapped?” I shook my head. “No. I wouldn’t have let Emily live that one down.”

“Geez. How’s it feel to get cucked by your sister?” Charity asked, clearly amused by the situation.

“It’s a little weird,” I admitted, “but it’s better than being cucked by my brother.”

Poor Richie looked like he didn’t stand a chance of keeping his heart intact despite knowing that she was already dating his sister. At least he had good taste in women. I remember being enamored with the exotic dancer when I first met her.

“She’s fucking gorgeous!” Rose said, interrupting my thoughts as she laid her head against my shoulder. I glanced at Charity to see what she thought of this display of affection, but she didn’t seem to have a problem with it—not surprising considering she’d been in open relationships before.

“Who?” I asked Rose.

“Natalie,” she sighed. “After the way you two danced together… I expect to see announcements in the paper any day.”

More shit to muddy the waters that were my feelings. I would have swooned over that kind of statement only a handful of months ago. Now, considering everything, it was just confusing.

“What? Are you jealous?” Ian asked. He grinned and winked at me, letting me know that he had my back.

“No,” Rose said, throwing a glare toward Ian. She held out her empty drink. “Go get me another, servant boy, before you say something that’ll get you in trouble!”

He sighed, rolled his eyes, and took her drink. “If you insist!”

“Made a new friend?” I asked as Ian walked away.

“Yep!” Rose said, looking up at me as she kept her head on my shoulder. “He’s fun!”

“Should I be jealous?” I asked.

“Boy, if anyone’s going to be jealous over Ian, it’s me.”

Charity snorted, and I glanced her way, wondering if they were calling me out for being a man-whore. “Am I missing something?”

“Just that Ian is gay,” Charity said, grinning at me as she chewed on her cup. The oral fixation was more charming than it had any right to be.

“Whoa! Really!?” I hadn’t picked up on it at all. Ian didn’t give off any of the signs I usually looked for.

“It’s hard to tell,” Rose said, “but he’s definitely all about the D. Not interested in bush at all.”

“Richie’s smart,” Charity said.

“Bringing a gay friend?” I asked.

“Bringing a charming and handsome gay friend,” Rose chimed in.

“Ian reels them in,” Charity continued, “and Richie cleans up after they’ve had a bit of time to know him.”

“Richie’s got a girlfriend,” I pointed out.

“Where’s she at?” Rose asked.

“Back home,” I said.

“No, he doesn’t,” Rose replied. “That boy’s already got one foot out the door. He left Smalltown or wherever you’re from, and now that he’s had a few weeks of New York—especially partying with his big bro—he’s starting to wonder if the little miss back home is enough.”

I glanced at Charity, but she simply shrugged, then nodded.

“So,” Rose said, returning to the previous subject. “What’s the deal with Natalie?”

“We’re not dating, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“Is that changing at any point tonight?” Rose asked.