Page 86 of Silk Shadow

When Emily had left, she texted Robert and explained that she couldn't leave the apartment and asked if he minded coming here. He agreed and said he'd pick up something on the way over.

Then, she had a long bath and tried not to think about Viper. As she got dressed in a floor-length maxi dress with a light cardigan, she tried not to think about how it felt in his arms. And as she blow-dried her hair, she tried not to think about how it felt when he ran his fingers through it.

Damn, this wasn't getting any easier. Still, it had only been a day. It would take some time to get him out of her system. She had to be a big girl about it; she had a business to run, another business to sell, and her own life to take care of now that he was gone.

Robert would be here soon. There was one more thing she had to do before he arrived. She picked up her phone and called Pat.

"It wasn't his fault, you know." She could hear Radiohead playing in the background and knew he was at home. An old memory of lying on the rug with his son, Joe, listening to Pat's rock collection flashed through her mind. They'd been in their teens then. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

"It doesn't matter whose fault it is, Izzy. I can't have him distracted on the job. It's too important. Your safety is too important."

"He's saved my life more times than I care to remember," she pointed out. "That should tell you something."

"It does, and Viper's a damn good operative, but he broke the rules."

She sighed. "It was me who started it. None of this was his fault. You're punishing him for something I did."

"I've taken him off your protection detail, Izzy. I haven't fired him."

"You're not going to, are you?"

"No, I'm not. I can’t afford to lose him. I'm under-resourced right now."

She smiled fondly. Pat was so transparent.

"Okay, good." There was a pause. "How are things going?"

"Busy. But that's a good thing."

"Pat..." She paused. "Could we get together sometime and talk about Mom?"

There was a moment of silence, then he cleared his throat. "Sure we can. Do you want me to come over now?"

"I can't tonight. Robert's coming over for dinner."

"Oh, I see."

She heard the surprise in his voice. "It’s not like that. I need to talk to him about my plans for the company. I've decided to take your advice and get out."

"I think that’s wise," he restated. "How will Robert take it?"

"He won't like it. It puts his position at risk. With me in charge, he has free rein of the company. I think he was hoping to buy me out himself one day."

"Well, you gotta do what you gotta do," said Pat. "You have to do what's right for you."

"I know." Suddenly, all she wanted to do was sell her share in the company and put this mess behind her so she could get on with her life. She didn't kid herself that there was any hope for her and Viper. After what she’d done, he wouldn’t come near her again. And anyway, how would a rough-around-the-edges soldier with scars on his hands and eyes the color of the ocean fit into her schedule?

Would he even want to?

The whirl of the fashion industry. The glamorous parties. The social media following.

It just wasn't him.

She sighed as she applied some blush and lip gloss. At least she had the memories.

A week of blissful passion in a tropical resort. An affair born out of danger and fear, but so beautiful and so comforting at the same time. A dream she would always remember.

The doorbell rang.