I knew I was coming across more like a sullen teenager than a mature 23 year old woman so I tried to reign myself in. Instead of continuing in a tantrum like way I went and sat on the couch and waited for him to say what he wanted to say.
Blade approached me, not responding to my declarations of hate, studying me like he was trying to think of the best angle with which to approach me. Sitting on the coffee table in front of me he put his hands either side of my legs, caging me in.
"Tasha I'm not a stupid man. Do you think I approached you asking you to help me without a back up plan to MAKE you help me?"
My stomach sank at his ominous words. I had been expecting, at the very least, an apology or maybe an explanation about Katrina but instead he's pulling this on me?
"President Night, I don't know or care what you think you have on me, I'm leaving, this is done, finito, over!"
He smiled predatorily and I stiffened reflexively.
"Miss Lane works at my company.. correct?"
I rolled my eyes, that one wouldn't work on me! I'd fallen for it earlier but once I'd had time to think it through it was an obvious empty threat.
"Like you'd leave your cousin's girlfriend without a job or reference.. I don't believe you'd do it.. next threat?"
I spoke airily, as if I hadn't a care, but my mind was racing trying to think what he could possibly be going to say.
"Maybe you're right.. are you willing to take that risk? How about this then.. what about your little brother?"
My hand moved before I could register what I was doing and slapped him so hard in the face it hurt my hand.
Eyes blazing, Night jumped to his feet in fury. Grabbing a fistful of my hair he dragged me to my feet and shook me whilst I screamed to be freed. The next moment my door opened and Lane, Finn and Nate barrelled through the door shouting for him to let me go.
Blinking, as if coming back to his senses, Blade released me and I grabbed the memory box and left quickly with Lane and Finn. There would be a time for conversation, to discuss the threat he had made, Katrina, where we go from here and most importantly how he knew about my secret brother but for now I needed to get as far away from him as possible.
Sitting in the back of Finns car, listening as Lane and Finn bashed Blade, I felt detached and a little guilty. I had hit him with a frying pan and slapped his face so he wasn't the bad guy here for losing his temper. I wasn't an angry or violent person so I don't know why I behaved so terribly towards Blade. Being angry or hurt isn't a reason for him to hurt me so equally I shouldn't be hurting him either!
I knew for my peace of mind I needed to apologise but I wouldn't be pretending to be his fiancé anymore and I certainly wouldn't be living with him any longer.
* * *
It had been a week since the dinner party and I had not been into work, getting Lane to apply for leave for me. Blade hadn't tried to contact me and I had been going to text him to meet but then I had seen romantic photos of him and Katrina in the gossip magazines and I could no longer face seeing him.
I didn't want to stay with Blade and I didn't want to pretend to be his fiancé but I still wanted to help find evidence for his sisters sake.
To ensure I could still help in some way when fleeing Blades house I hadn't gone to my place instead I had gone to my mothers home.
I had acted pitifully and said Blades ex had come into the picture so my mum would let me stay with her! In between feeling sorry for myself I had tried to have a nose around the house however so far I hadn't been able to find anything.
Entering the kitchen fancying a snack I was dressed for the first time this week - just in yoga pants and a tank top but still better than the pyjamas I'd been wearing previously! No one was in the kitchen and I opened the refrigerator to see what I fancied when I noticed a cell phone on the counter and I was 99% sure it was Jaspers.
Glancing around furtively until I was sure I was alone I picked up the phone and hid it in my bra then ran back up to my bedroom certain I'd be caught any moment! Panting slightly - I clearly needed to start working out - I studied the phone once I was safely locked in my bedroom and confirmed it was definitely Jaspers.. I couldn't believe my luck! I powered his phone off - I didn't know the passcode to turn off the location service and I was sure from the detective movies I'd seen that as long as a phone was on it could be tracked!
Sending a quick group text to Nate and Blade telling them to meet me in Blades office in 20 minutes, I quickly put my trainers on then ordered an Uber.
* * *
"Where's Nate?"
A new Executive Assistant had shown me into Blades office and Blade had looked up as I entered, his face like thunder so I jumped in with a question before he could say anything.
"He's about ten minutes out, what did you call us here for?"
"I've seen films where people clone the data from a phone so they can see all the history of text messages etc and also tap it so any new calls or texts etc can be monitored!"
Seeming completely uninterested as I spoke, he suddenly sat up, a huge smile on his face, finally getting where I was going with my little speech when I dropped the phone on his desk.
"Is that Jaspers? How did you get it you brilliant girl?"
"I've been staying at my mums since last week and I was lucky enough to spot this in the kitchen today - I think you should clone it as soon as possible and then I'll try and get it back before he notices."
Blade seemed thrilled, turning the phone over and over in his hands, like if he studied it enough he would learn its secrets.
"This is the first real lead we've had, I'm very grateful.
"I didn't do it for you, I did it for Flora and your family and my mum - she's married to him."
"I know but thank you and make sure you're very careful putting it back, if he suspects you it could mean your life."
Nodding I went and dropped into one of the chairs opposite his desk while we waited for Nate, the technological genius to get there.
"Katrina and I dated for seven years but we were very on and off, we were never thinking of marriage; then last year we had a miscarriage and she was so distraught she left me for another man and that time at the bar was the first time I'd seen her since that happened. I do care about you and I did see something happening with us but then she was there and I felt guilty and mixed up and I hurt you because in some sick way I needed her to know that she was more important than you but I still want you and I have so much fun with you but I need to sort things out with Katrina first but I am sorry for how I went about it. You're a virgin and before you met me you were untouched, I didn't take your feelings into consideration and I'm sorry for it."
I think my jaw had dropped, that was the most I'd ever heard Blade say without trying to kiss me and it was a lot to take in. Studying him I noticed what I hadn't before, he had dark circles under his eyes and his shirt was rumpled, he was obviously under more strain than I realised!
"I'm sorry too, I hit you twice and there's no excuse for it. Of course if you ever pull my hair again I'll stab you in the eye with a fork!"
Blade laughed, seeming relieved, and I was glad to note things felt much more relaxed than the last few times we had spoken.
"Does that mean you'll stop hiding and come back to work?"
Dang it I was blushing again! I really needed to see a doctor about this!
"Yes.. I won't move back in with you or pretend to be your fiancé, I won't agree to anymore kissing or anything like that but I will be your woman on the inside, your spy if you will, and help where I can."
"Will it sound crazy to say I'll miss you?"
Smiling faintly, I shook my head no. I understood he had a history with Katrina and they hadn't had closure so I was ready to draw a line in the sand and just be his partner in solving crimes. We still needed to discuss my brother but Nate would be here any minute and this wasn't something that I wanted overheard.
"So, according to Flora's letter, they didn't communicate via phone but that's not to say he didn't mention her or their meeting place to someone! If there's some kind of location memory on the phone we could visit places he went more than once until we find their secret place?"
Blade nodded in agreement obviously deep in thought and we both lapsed into silence, lost to our own ideas, whilst waiting for Nate to arrive.