“Yes. One of yours.”
I shake my head even though he can’t see it. “They aren’t mine.”
His voice is lighter now. “Oh? Who is yours then?”
I bite my lip, not sure if I should admit who I have been feeling loyal to.
“Princess, tell me,” he demands after a moment.
“You,” I say softly.
He chuckles. “Good, because you’re mine.”
I can’t help the smile on my face, but my thoughts go back to Johnny Walsh.
“I know the guy you’re looking for.”
“You do?”
“He is one of the guards who used to work here at the house. He was sent off on a job about nine months ago.”
“Is my princess an eavesdropper?”
“Not intentionally. I overheard him telling one of the maids. I think they were in a relationship.”
My face burns at the memory. They were in more than a relationship. After he told her, he fucked her against the wall beneath my balcony. They didn’t know I was reading above them. I was so afraid to interrupt them and get caught that I stayed still, listening to them until they were done.
“Hmm. You think she’s still there?”
“Yeah. She cleans the lower floors.”
“What’s her name?”
“I don’t know. Father is strict about not socializing with the help. The only one I’m allowed to speak to is Miss Kelly. She’s the only one who has been here long term.”
“Can you find out?”
“Sure.”
I want to do one better. I’m going to find out where Johnny Walsh is for him.
“Thanks, babe. Let’s forget business, tell me what you’re wearing?”
I chuckle as we begin our nightly banter of him flirting and me turning red as a tomato.
Walking the floor, I take in the lights and sounds. The slot machine next to me declares its player a loser making the man groan in frustration. The sounds of someone winning somewhere else ring out. It’s a sensory overload in the best kind of way.
“Shouldn’t you be getting some sleep?” I ask as Kenji falls into step with me.
“I can sleep when I’m dead.”
“A little more morbid than usual tonight I take it?” I say as we make our way to the elevator.
“No offense to your girl but sitting and watching her is starting to get old. The only time she leaves the house is to go on a date. As far as I can tell nothing is happening on the inside as well,” he says as we step inside.
“Good for me but bad for you,” I summarize.
“I need to get my hands dirty,” he confirms.
