Sallinger, Elene: Reflection (The Chrysalis Series)

Right now, though, she just wished all this were over. The risk was so high and she really wasn’t looking forward to being put on display the way she was about to be.

‘Skyler?’ Bridget was touching her arm.

‘Hmm?’ she pulled herself out of her head and faced the professor, who was walking back to her from the doorway leading to the party.

‘I’ve spotted Whittier. He’s at the back with the president and some of his cronies. I don’t think we’ll get a better opportunity so I’m going to go ahead and get started. Stay out of sight for at least ten minutes to give me some time, OK?’ She checked her watch and added, ‘I’ll text you as soon as I’m done.’

‘OK.’ She took a deep breath and nodded. ‘That shouldn’t be hard. I need the bathroom anyway. I think I’m going to puke.’

Bridget narrowed her eyes at her and scanned her face, ‘Are you OK? Is it the baby?’

Skyler nodded. ‘Morning sickness. Well, evening sickness. I just need to catch my breath and splash some water on my face.’

‘OK.’ She didn’t seem sure. ‘We can call this off right now, Skyler.’

Skyler shook her head so hard she felt her hair swing. ‘No! We’re doing this. I’ll be fine.’

Bridget wrapped her in a hug. She smelled flowery and soft, but she had a spine of steel when she needed it. Skyler was more grateful than ever. She never could have done this on her own.

Pulling out of the professor’s embrace, she put on her best smile. ‘OK. Go on, Inspector Gadget, I’ll be fine.’

Bridget chuckled. ‘You watch too much cable, you know that?’

Nevertheless, the joke had the effect Skyler hoped for. Bridget turned and left, heading off in the direction that Skyler had detailed for her while Skyler went to empty the contents of her stomach before she embarrassed herself.

As quietly as possible, Bridget closed the door to the dean’s study behind her. The room was as impressive as the rest of the house. Spacious and airy, it was a library to fuel her own dreams. Books of all kinds lined the walls in glass-enclosed shelves.

It took a few seconds for that fact to sink in.

Oh hell, no!

She needed open shelves, not glass-covered ones. Frantically, she scanned the room, her panic rising. This didn’t work if she couldn’t get line of sight for the camera. For several heart-stopping moments, Bridget saw all of her carefully prepared plans falling apart. She wanted to cry; they hadn’t come this far for it all to blow up now.

Just as she was about to throw in the towel, she spotted a shelf on the back wall by the large window. Elation filled her.

Yes, that would work. Better, in fact.

She hurried to the back of the room; she was wasting time. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the ultra-slim video camera she’d purchased from Nico. At the same time, she powered on her portable hotspot to ensure it was ready when she needed it.

The shelf held several awards that the dean had received as well as a clock. She set up the camera, being sure to switch it to motion activated. Pulling out her iPad, she logged into the remote website account she’d set up and accessed the live feed from the camera. A few adjustments to angle, and she was ready to go.

Now, let’s just hope Skyler is able to do her part, she thought.

Bridget began putting the hotspot and iPad back in her bag, only to whip around as the door to the library opened. Adrenaline shot through her veins and she went cold from head to toe. She couldn’t get caught.

With no time to think, she dove under the desk and thanked her lucky stars she was wearing a pant suit and not a dress. She also thanked the dean for being the conceited, self-important man he was or else he’d have some other desk than this ancient monstrosity that had a cavernous opening where she currently huddled.

‘How dare you bring him here!’ A shrill, feminine voice that Bridget recognised as belonging to Jean Cartwright, one of the physics professors, rang out in the still of the study.

‘He’s my star student. Why wouldn’t I bring him here?’ responded her companion. From his slightly sibilant, soft voice, Bridget identified Jean’s husband, Louis.

‘Don’t be coy with me. I know you fucked him while I was gone. Did you think I wouldn’t find out?’

Bridget couldn’t speak for Louis, but she sure as hell was shocked at the accusation. She’d never pegged Louis for a cheater. He seemed so devoted to his wife.

‘Nothing to say for yourself?’

‘Jean, let me explain.’ He’d obviously moved closer to the desk since his voice was louder.

‘No. I don’t want to hear any explanations. I told you not to fuck him, didn’t I?’

Jean sounded less outraged than Bridget would have expected at discovering her husband’s infidelity.

‘Yes.’ At least he sounded contrite. But Bridget was definitely confused.

‘And why did I tell you not to fuck him?’

Bridget would have thought it would have been self-apparent, but she couldn’t exactly call out, ‘Duh!’

‘Because I wasn’t allowed to come while you were gone.’

‘Exactly!’ She heard Jean walk over to the large, leather chairs that fronted the dean’s desk and sat. ‘Your cock belongs to me. You get to fuck Robert when I say and only when I say. And you damn sure don’t bring him to an office party after defying me. Do you understand?’

Her voice, normally shrill and slightly nasal, had taken on the same cadence Evan’s did when he went all dom-ish on Claire. Realisation slapped Bridget in the face. Louis was Jean’s sub.

‘For that, you don’t get to come for the next week. Understand?’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ He sounded almost breathless.

‘You’re also going to receive punishment when we get home. Understand?’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Now he sounded downright eager.

‘Good. Now come here and give me what you gave Robert.’

Bridget cringed at the idea of being present while they had sex.

‘That’s a good boy,’ Jean crooned. The zing of a zipper coming down filled the silence. Louis groaned and Bridget heard sucking and slurping noises. From Louis’ moans she could only deduce that Jean had decided to suck his dick.

She really hoped they’d finish soon. She needed to get back to Skyler.

Mastering her frustration, she decided to at least be productive. She pulled out her iPad to check that the camera was working properly and had a good view of the room.

The screen instantly filled with the image of Jean on her knees in front of her husband. Bridget quickly hit the home button, killing the visual. She really didn’t want that in her head.

Fortunately, Jean seemed to decide that Louis had been tortured enough. Bridget heard fumbling and some muted whispers. They seemed to have made up, at least. A few seconds later, she heard the door open and close.

Bridget wasted no time in getting out of there and searching out Skyler.

That little bitch actually had the gall to show her face here. It was bad enough he had to tolerate Ross being here. He couldn’t very well disinvite his most popular professor, but she could have had the grace not to show up. Instead, she’d not only come, she’d brought Skyler.

Skyler, who’d disappeared without a trace three weeks ago.

Skyler, who refused to answer his calls.

Fucking cunt.

Anger seethed in his gut as Dale watched the two women mingle with the other partygoers. Something was definitely not right. He would have expected smugness from Bridget. Instead, she seemed tense.

He knew every inch of her face and body. He’d spent countless hours observing her. Learning her. She had no idea exactly how intimately acquainted with her he was.