“I didn’t think the clothes I gave you were enough, so I brought more. Dad said our styles don’t exactly mesh, but I’m sure you’ll make do.”
I smiled, trying to make it as believable as possible, and accepted her offering when a thought came to mind. It felt totally wrong, since what I would be asking would essentially ensure Belinda McDaniel never came into existence.
Sometimes the big decisions and choices were the most difficult to make.
“I was thinking about that, actually.” I placed the bags on the couch and turned to face the female version of Goose. “I was wondering if I could swing by my old apartment. Some of my things might still be there.”
“As far as I know, everything is exactly as you left it. Paine didn’t have the heart to let the apartment go. He has someone air the place out from time to time. Dad could probably take you later this evening. Paine will want to come as well.”
“I’d rather go during the day.” I tried to keep things airy and light. “The last time I saw my place, some crazy shit happened.”
“You’re not afraid of the dark, are you?” Bells arched an eyebrow playfully.
“Nope. I just like to be able to see where I’m going, and I prefer to do my errands during the day. I haven’t had a chance to become accustomed to the nightlife.”
Bells shifted uncomfortably. “I suppose I could ask for an escort and take you over.” She glanced at Jennifer. “I take it you’ll be bringing your new friend along?”
“Yes.” Keeping my annoyance at bay was tough, but since I dealt with assholes at the bar on a regular basis, I managed. “Is that a problem?”
“No, she’s not an issue.” Bells quickly returned her attention to me. “I just don’t think Paine would appreciate me taking you out without his consent. He’s down in the club. You should go tell him before we go.”
Damn. Facing Paine again was not the thing I wanted to do. However, judging by Bells’s unrelenting stance, I didn’t see any way around it.
“Okay, no problem.”
Bells relaxed and Jennifer glanced at me. I looked at the young girl, hoping the decision I was making for her was the right one.
“You stay here. I’ll come back after I’ve talked to Paine and we can go.”
Jennifer nodded, and I began the trek that would take me to the club. There was no one to bump into along the way. The place was eerily quiet, so different from what I was used to. I’d come to The Razor once when it was closed, curious to see how things worked when vampires weren’t crowding the joint. Oddly enough, it reminded me a lot of The Black Panther Lounge. There were people cleaning, vacuums blaring and the sound of bottles being stocked.
Paine wasn’t on the lower floor, so I went upstairs to his private area. He was on the phone when I entered but quickly ended the call when he saw me. His dark hair was unkempt, his expensive shirt loose around the neck, several buttons undone along his throat. He didn’t look at me, and he didn’t waste any time.
“Are you ready to talk?”
His brisk and impartial tone was like ice settling over my skin. “I wanted to tell you that Bells is driving me to my apartment to get some of my things.”
That brought his all-seeing, onyx gaze to my face. “I’d prefer you to wait until I can accompany you and we have the opportunity to talk.”
Smiling slightly, I reminded him, “Space, remember?”
He scowled and rose, moving so quickly the back of the chair banged against the wall. He didn’t walk around the desk—he prowled, each step lethal and menacing. When he stood in front of me, I couldn’t tell if he was resisting the urge to shake me, take me into his arms and kiss me again, or both.