“I vaguely recall that,” Lana said, rubbing her forehead. “It’s like it’s really far away.”
“I can tell someone who likes to switch back and forth but is really not in the least submissive. That chick wanted to go with me, but she was playing a part. I left with Lana.”
“Do you remember what she looked like?” Seychelle asked.
Savage could see that she had been watching Maestro’s notes carefully. His were strong, but there were no other colors than his. She shook her head. “He’s clear.”
“Yeah. She was Lana’s height, or maybe taller by an inch, with dark brown hair. Nice-looking. Dark eyes. Nice figure, a bit on the thin side. She looked more like a model than what I prefer, but some men go for that. No lines on her face. She spoke English with an American accent, but I could hear the Russian under it.”
Czar shook his head. “Doesn’t ring a bell at all. Shit. I ran so many missions. Maybe I assassinated her brother or husband.” He looked at Seychelle. Then at Savage. She had one left.
Savage hated that there was an audience. He wanted them gone. At least Lana. He didn’t know why it was important she wasn’t there if it all went sideways, but he knew this examination could be humiliating for Seychelle.
“You finished with Lana and Maestro?” he asked Absinthe.
Absinthe nodded.
Lana hesitated as she slid off the picnic table. “I feel different, Seychelle. Lighter. Not so edgy. I’m really sorry for the way I treated you. I know that’s just words right now, but you’ll see I mean them. Thank you for whatever it is you did for me.” She gave a little wave and sauntered off into the night.
Maestro stood for a moment in front of Seychelle, and then he shook his head. “Wouldn’t want Savage to have any other woman, Seychelle. Don’t want you hurt. Don’t want him to lose you either. I went about this all wrong, and I shouldn’t have said anything when I didn’t know what was going on.” He put his hand on her shoulder and then slipped into the shadows.
Savage knew he didn’t go very far. Putting his hands on Seychelle’s thighs, Savage gently opened them so he could wedge his body between them. He needed the intimacy. “Let’s just get it over, baby. If you need me to talk, I’m just going to come right out and tell you how much I love you. I hate that this night went so wrong for us. I wanted you to have one fucking night where you had fun.”
“I had fun on the ride here with you,” Seychelle said. “I always love riding with you. It’s very sexy.”
He could see their notes intertwining, silver and gold together. He didn’t see any other color, pale or otherwise. Her hands covered his as his palms pressed into her thighs. He knew she was looking at the De Sade. The dungeon there. A woman tied to a St. Andrew’s cross as he flogged her. She could see him when he flung the flogger to the side and stalked to the moaning woman, caught her hair in his fist and yanked her head back.
“Baby, get the fuck out of my head. She isn’t there. That isn’t her. You don’t need to see what a dick I am.”
He was cruel. Brutal even. He was worse than a dick. She was never going to look at him the same again. Savage started to step back, that ever-present rage swirling so close to the surface it was terrifying, because he feared he wouldn’t be able to contain it. Seychelle caught his hands and held them tight.
“He’s clear, Czar, and I’m so tired I can’t keep my head up. I really, really need to sleep. Can all of you please leave us alone?”
Czar stood up. “Thanks for all your help. Sadly, we’re going to have to ask for more tomorrow. We have to keep the Demon informer from going to the Feds and also try to find any women Campbell may have planted suggestions in. Savage, you have work to do with those names we got.”
Savage didn’t reply. He just stared down at his woman. She wasn’t looking at him like she was running. She was looking at him like she belonged to him again. He wasn’t sure why, not after what she’d witnessed. He waited for the others to leave.
“What is it, baby?”
“You told me the truth.”
“I always tell you the truth. I want Campbell out of your head and my ring back on your finger. How do I get what I want?”
“You just got rid of Brandon for me. As for the ring, it’s in the pocket of your jeans. I need the restroom, and then we’re going to bed. I promise you can do dirty, sinful things to me tomorrow if you can wait that long. I’m just too tired tonight.”