Page 28 of Innocent Salvation

“In a posh bar in the West End watching Carter schmooze some poor woman. It actually makes me want to vomit. She can’t be more than eighteen and is drinking up his poison with a straw. Now stop stalling.”

Snow sighed. She knew she was stalling but she still didn’t know what she wanted to say. “I want to tell Sebastian who I am.”

“What?”

“I need to tell him who I am to Fleur. Not about us but my relationship to them.”

“Why?”

Snow shrugged even though her friend couldn’t see her. “I don’t know, I just don’t like lying to them both.”

“The kid I get, but why do you care what he thinks of you?”

“I don’t know, maybe because he has custody, and he could make it hard for me to see her if I piss him off.”

“You could fight him.”

Snow was shaking her head. “I don’t think I could, she adores him, and he dotes on her and anyway, who is going to give me custody over Judge Sebastian Alexander?”

“Um, good point. Your career is hardly conducive to child-rearing.”

“Exactly.”

“If you tell him, he could throw you out and jeopardise your case and everything you’ve been working towards.”

“I know, that’s why I called you.”

“You want me to tell you what to do?”

“Yes.”

“As a friend, I say tell him. If this is making you anxious then get it over with and see where the chips fall. As your boss, I’m saying don’t tell him. You’re perfectly placed right now to get the information we need and to get close to him and find out what he’s up to.”

“Well, that helps.”

Duchess laughed and it was deep and sultry, just like the woman herself. “Listen, just think it over and don’t do anything rash. Perhaps give it a few days and then we’ll talk again. Perhaps really decide what it is you want and why you feel so conflicted. I think if you’re honest it has more to do with Sebastian than Fleur.”

“Has Reaper been talking to you?”

“No why?”

Snow shook her head. “Nothing, just something he said.”

“You know what the Aussies are like, always messing with people but I’ll say this, he loves you like a sister. So if he’s worried about you, then he’s seen something you haven’t.”

“I can take care of myself, you know.”

“We do know that but tell me this. Have you ever been conflicted before this case, which is personal on every level?”

“No.” Even Snow could hear the sulky tone in her voice.

“See, it’s complex so no rash decisions. Keep doing your job and we’ll talk in a few days.”

“Okay. Thanks, Duchess.”

“You’re welcome. Now go to sleep. You have a four-year-old to look after tomorrow.”

Snow laughed softly at the shudder in Duchess’ voice. “Night.”