I rubbed a brush over Thunder, one of the newer horses they'd brought in for breeding. He was a young horse, beautiful but still more than a little bit untamed. I had taken an immediate shine to him and vise versa. In fact, I was the only person who could really get close to the horse at all, let alone ride him.
It seemed that one discipline case recognized another.
It would be a shame for the horse to be used as breeding stock and little else. He had potential, even if I was the only one who could see it. I was thinking that maybe I would stick around... long enough to set things right with my father and work the stallion.
Long enough to get to Elle.
Thunder tossed his head and kicked the back of the stall. He wasn't trying to hurt me. He just wanted to run.
"Easy Thunder. I'll get you out there, I promise."
I knew exactly how the horse felt.
I'd been like a caged tiger all week, keeping away from everyone except my father and the horse. The old man was getting worse. I had taken to reading the papers to him in the afternoons. But it was hard to keep still. I wanted to move, fight, fuck.
I wanted her dammit.
She wanted me too. I knew it, especially after that kiss. But she was being elusive as hell. And now she'd taken a day or two off to do something mysterious-I just had to find out what. I put down the brush and headed back into the house. Mrs. Garretty should be up by now. She would know.
I knocked softly on her door.
"Enter."
I opened the door and smiled endearingly at the family's long-term housekeeper. The woman had been a second mother to me and one of the few who had never lost hope or faith in the youngest Delancey brother. She smiled warmly as I sat in the spare chair by her desk.
"Hello handsome."
I bussed her cheek and grinned at her. She smiled back for a moment. Then she gave me a look.
"What do you want Jake?"
"Can't I just stop by to see my favorite lady?"
She rolled her eyes and went back to making lists. The woman was always making lists. It took incredible organizational skills to run an estate this size. Mrs. Garretty had those in spades.
"You can. But you didn't. You are up to no good again, I can tell."
"I'm just looking for some intel."
She leaned back in her seat, staring at me over her glasses.
"Alright. Shoot."
"The new maid-Eleanor. She took a few days off. I want to know why."
Mrs. Garret's eyebrows shot up.
"You like her do you?"
I nodded eagerly, sure I was going to get what I was after.
"So do I."
She pushed her glasses back up her nose and resumed her list making.
"But-"
"Let me ask you this Jake. How much do you like her? I don't want you trifling with my staff. I don't care how pretty she is, the girl has grit. She deserves better than to be another one of your castoffs."
"She won't be. Anyway, she keeps turning me down."
Mrs. Garretty let out a belly laugh that would have been insulting if I didn't know the old woman adored me. I frowned.
Actually, it was still pretty insulting.
"Please, just tell me. I'll be good I swear."
She stared at me searchingly then sighed and pulled out a pen and a piece of paper. I leaned forward to see her writing down the address of a nightclub. She handed it to me.
"She's got a gig tonight. 10 pm."
I snatched it up eagerly and pressed a kiss on her cheek.
"Oh and Jake. It's not really a secret. You must be the only one who doesn't know about it. Half the house is going to see her perform tonight."
"What, even Jackson and Daniel?"
She nodded slowly.
"You're all just messing with me all the time aren't you?"
She grinned and winked at him.
"It's all in good fun Jake. Have a nice time tonight."
"Thanks Mrs. G, I owe you."
Elle
"You ready?"
I stared into the mirror without really seeing my own reflection. I was wearing a short shredded denim skirt and a black corset top. My sheer black stockings were tucked into knee high black boots, on loan from Shirl. Eye makeup and bright lipstick completed the look. My hair was long and loose, with a couple of wild curls thrown in for good measure.
I was 100% pure rock and roll. It was a costume of course. But it made me feel like another person.
A person with loads more confidence that regular old Elle.
"Yeah, let's do this."
I followed Mark the bassist out onto the stage. The theater was surprisingly full for our first gig. Tom must have been promoting us hard. I knew without a doubt that he'd add that to the list of things that I "owed him."
He hadn't tried to cash in yet. Hopefully I could avoid him indefinitely. The key was not to be alone with him.
I shook my head. I had to focus. I had too many men on the brain this week. The band was what was important.