Page 70 of The Master
Something occurred to me. “They couldn’t have known about my journals, so that would’ve taken them even more time because they didn’t know what or where to look.”
“That makes sense,” he agreed. “Getting someone like that, who could figure out what would be useful, who could get in and out without being seen, that would cost more than I imagine any of those other women would be willing to pay.”
“But Isti would.”
He nodded, his expression troubled. “When you were with your mom, I went to see her, to see if there was a way I could get her to back off. She’s angrier than I thought she could ever be. I mean, it’s been more than a decade. Who holds a grudge like that for that long? It wasn’t like she and I were married or anything.”
I reached over and put my hand on his. “It’s not your fault.”
“I was stupid,” he said with a sigh. “I never should have gotten involved with her in the first place.”
“Probably not,” I agreed, “but it’s done, and there’s no use thinking about the what ifs. Besides, none of what happened justifies what she’s done.”
He stood and took our plates to the dishwasher. “Does your plan for today include going to see Isti?”
“It does.” I drained the last of my coffee. “We’re going to get her to confess to threatening me and being involved in the break-in.”
* * *
Even though itwas my idea, I still couldn’t quite believe that I’d gotten Nate to go along with it. I’d half-expected him to tell me that he was calling Owen to babysit while he went to see Isti alone again, but he didn’t.
Something between us had shifted, and my guess was that it’d happened when I’d taken care of things with Roma and Calah. I felt like, somehow, it’d put us on even footing. Before, he hadn’t treated me like I was inferior or anything like that, but his whole protective Dom thing made it difficult for him to let anyone take care of him.
“You seem like you’re deep in thought,” Nate said as he took my hand. “If you’ve changed your mind, it’s okay. I can talk to her by myself.”
“I was actually just thinking about how much I like you letting me take care of you a bit too.”
He raised our hands and kissed the back of mine. “I think I’m starting to understand this whole real relationship thing. Working together. Trust.”
We didn’t have the time now to discuss any of that further, but I made a mental note to add it to the list of things we’d talk about once all this was over. Then, I rang the doorbell and wondered if she’d let us inside.
She was clearly in contact with the other women, but I didn’t know if that had been a one-time thing for the article or if Calah and Roma would’ve called when they left the penthouse last night. All of which meant we had equal chances of her knowing why we were here or having no clue whatsoever.
The door opened, and a well-dressed woman looked down her nose at me. Figuratively, anyway. With the heels she was wearing, she was barely my height. Her gaze moved to Nate and held there for a few seconds before she turned around and walked away, leaving the door open behind her. Nate and I followed her while I tried not to feel insulted that she’d basically dismissed me with a single look.
We moved into what looked like a living room, but I was willing to bet that she had some fancy name for it likesitting roomorparlor. The entire place screamed ostentatiousness, and she fit right in, lowering herself into one of those chairs that was more for decoration than use.
Her tone was cool, polished. “Sit or stand. Makes no difference to me.”
Nate chose to sit, and I took the place next to him, hoping we looked more casual than I felt.
“Two visits in as many days,” Isti said with a smile. “Have you missed me that much?”
“Did they call you?” Nate asked. “Your partners, Calah and Roma. Or did you just use them to pass off what you had someone steal from Ashlee’s place?”
I hadn’t thought it possible for Isti to look more offended, but that did it.
“Please. Those two are little better than streetwalkers.” She made a dismissive gesture.
“Did they tell you about what they pulled last night?” I asked, drawing her attention. “Streetwalker seems like an appropriate description, though I doubt they’d appreciate you calling them that.”
“You’re not a part of this discussion.” She pointed at me and then turned back to Nate. “You didn’t succumb to them again. You wouldn’t. Once you tire of someone, you walk away and don’t look back.”
“Like he did with you, right?” I goaded her. “Got tired of you and moved on to someone else.”
She ignored me, or at least pretended to. “I’m curious. What was it like, deflowering the virgin? I imagine it didn’t take you long to realize that innocence has limited appeal. You want someone who knows what she’s doing.”
“I’m a fast learner,” I interjected.
