She took a step back.
He frowned. “Jacqueline?”
“You told me to exit. At the country club, you used the codeword.” Was that the right term? Codeword? Did it even matter?
“Right, I did.”
“You wanted me gone so you could fight him?” Just what had gone down when she left?
A shrug. “I just wanted to make sure Preston understood that there were some things he couldn’t say to you. Hell of a lot that he can’t do, too.”
She shivered.
“You should get in the shower.” His voice had gone expressionless. “Alone is fine. I can dry off and change in the bedroom.”
She should shower. Absolutely. But… “You’re not planning to take the money and—and disappear with me, are you? Constantine was just doing some devil’s advocate bit.” Another little shiver chased down her body.
“You’re going to catch a cold.” A grumble. “We can talk about plans after you’re warm and dry.” He marched past her. Went into the bathroom. She hurried to follow and saw him yank on the shower. Water poured out, followed quickly by steam that danced into the air. “I feel like I’m always running showers for you.” A wry grin curled his lips as he straightened and turned back to her.
Jacqueline found she couldn’t smile back at him. “You didn’t answer me.”
“If I asked you to take the money and run with me, what wouldyousay?”
“It’s not my money.” A whisper.
“Ah, but are you sure about that? Seems like it is in your grandfather’s safe. With him gone, don’t you inherit all hispossessions?” His stare turned thoughtful. “I am curious about how Preston got the safe. Big coincidence that it is in his place on Bourbon whileyouare in New Orleans, too. What made you settle here?”
The lead in her gut seemed to grow heavier. “My grandfather talked about the area. We actually lived here when I was a lot younger. Before he died, he told me that he thought I could find the key to my happiness here.”
Remy laughed. “Damn. Key to happiness, huh? Guessing the key is a safe loaded with cash.” A smile lingered on his lips. “Fabian was clever. I would have enjoyed meeting him.”
“I don’t understand—why didn’t he just tell me about the money? If he had just told me then I could have—” She stopped. Frowned even as she shivered. “At the end, he was trying to tell me something. Something about his past. I thought he was trying to confess to more of his crimes, and I told him it was all okay. That he didn’t have to worry. I loved him no matter what.”
“Lucky bastard.” Hell, he hadn’t meant to say that.
A furrow appeared between her brows.
“Morris Hade was supposed to notify you about the bar. For all we know, your grandfather could have even left you a note talking about the safe.” A note she’d never gotten. “Fabian didn’t tell you the combination to the safe.” Something Remy had been curious about. “He could have done that, it would have been easy enough, but instead he trained you to unlock safes. He trained you to unlockhissafe.”
A ghost of a smile teased her lips. “My grandfather would nevertellanyone a safe’s combination. That would have been like an ultimate sin to him. He said getting into a safe took skill and finesse. That you had to earn what was inside.”
And he’d taught his granddaughter how to earn the money he’d left behind.
Another shiver—a stronger one this time—had her teeth chattering.
Take care of Jacqueline.“Shower.Now.You can grill me when you’re warm. Strip, Jacqueline.”
She didn’t move.
“Don’t want to undress with me here? Fine. I’ll be outside.” He brushed past her. “I just don’t want you catching a cold and getting—”
Her hand curled around his arm. “Why do you care?” About her getting a cold. About helping her deal with Preston. Abouther.
“I care because if you’re coughing and sneezing and weak, then I’ll have to make sure you heal.”
“Why?”
His eyes glittered. “Don’t you know?”