In the car, Shane tells me that we will be dropping by Eden.
‘We’ll have a quick drink there. There’s something I have to do at the office.’
We are nearly there when my phone goes. I freeze with fear.
Shane stops the car at the side of the road and switches off the music.
‘Take the call,’ he says tautly.
‘What if he is calling me from my apartment?’
‘He’s not.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Just trust me.’
He takes my purse from my lap, pulls my phone out and gives it to me.
I click accept and Lenny says, ‘Did I wake you?’
‘No,’ I say, and even to my own ears my voice sounds shaky.
‘Are you all right?’
‘Yes. Yes, I’m fine.’
‘Where are you?’
Paranoia grips me. I swallow hard and try to keep my voice neutral and casual. ‘In my bedroom.’
‘Are you just about to go to bed?’
‘Yes.’
There is a pause, then he says, ‘I have a surprise for you.’
‘Oh.’
‘I’ll give it to you tomorrow night.’
‘All right.’
‘Sweet dreams and don’t let the bed bugs bite.’
‘Thanks. And goodnight, Lenny.’
‘Goodnight, luv.’
I disconnect the call and put the phone back into my purse. Shane starts the car and drives on. He doesn’t say anything. The atmosphere in the car is so tense I feel it pressing down on me.
Twenty
SNOW
Inside Eden, the manager comes forward to help me with my coat, but Shane forestalls him, lifting my coat away from my body and tossing it carelessly on the counter. He places his hand on the small of my back in an unmistakable gesture of ownership and leads me into the club.
Flushed and tense with nerves, I let him guide me into the club. Music throbs around us and I am conscious of almost everyone staring at me because I am with Shane. Some of those looks are filled with malice and envy. Their faces swim before me. I force my