sank deeper, the pleasure heightened because it was her. Justine. His little do-gooder with the pure heart. A woman he didn’t deserve but would fight to the death to keep.
“Oh, my sweet heaven,” she whispered, her fists curling into the bedclothes.
“Am I hurting you?”
“Goodness, no. It’s so much better, and I thought that impossible.”
He angled over her, desperate to feel her skin against his. “Wrap your legs around me.” She did as he asked and then he covered her, his hands flat on the bed. “It’s about to get better still.”
And he said nothing more, but proceeded to show her exactly what he meant.
Chapter Nineteen
Justine entered the legal aid society around ten o’clock. She’d meant to get up earlier, but the energetic hours with Jack were catching up with her. For the past week she’d spent afternoons with him, returning home around suppertime. Her sisters hadn’t said anything more about Jack and Justine hadn’t offered up any information. It was none of their concern.
They wouldn’t approve, anyway. They thought she was naive and foolish and unable to handle a man like Jack. Absolutely ridiculous. Jack had complained yesterday that he was barely able to keep up with her, not the other way around.
She smiled to herself as she crossed the waiting area. The two of them were evenly matched, and she’d never felt closer to another person. She loved the hours they spent in his Bond Street home, completely secluded from the rest of the world. He was attentive and sweet, a force of nature when he wanted something—usually her.
How could she complain?
“Miss Greene!”
She spun at the voice and studied the faces in the anteroom. A woman she recognized approached her. “Mrs. Gorcey, good morning.” Her smile quickly faded when she caught the expression on the other woman’s face. “What is wrong?”
“It is my husband,” she started.
Justine took her hand. “Come with me. Let’s find a private space to talk.” Nodding at Mrs. Rand, the secretary, Justine took Mrs. Gorcey inside. Just as she was about to go into an empty office, her brother-in-law turned the corner.
Frank’s brows lowered as he studied both women. “Mrs. Gorcey. I thought things were settled.”
“No.” She clasped her hands together. “My husband has stopped paying me. The lady at the front said there is no money for me.”
Frank swept his arm out toward the empty office. “Please, sit down.”
The three of them sat. “Tell me what happened,” Justine said to Mrs. Gorcey.
“Well, like you and Mr. Mulligan arranged, the money from my husband was supposed to come here each week. At first, I had money waiting. Last week, nothing. Again this week, nothing.” Moisture pooled on her lids. “I do not know what to do, Miss Greene. I need that money to buy food. To pay my rent.”
“Why didn’t you tell me last week?”
“I didn’t wish to trouble you. You and Mr. Mulligan have done so much for me already.”
Frank’s fingers drummed on the table, a heavy silence on his side of the room. Justine ignored him, reaching across to clasp Mrs. Gorcey’s hand. “I will have answers this afternoon. I know where to find him. You will have your money soon, I promise.”
“Oh, thank you, Miss Greene. I hated to bother you but I didn’t know where else to turn. And I didn’t think I should visit Mr. Mulligan alone.”
“No, definitely not. You did the right thing. I’ll stop by with your money today.”
Mrs. Gorcey appeared relieved at that news. “I appreciate your help. Bless you, Miss Greene.”
Frank stood and pulled Mrs. Gorcey’s chair out for her. “Thank you for coming, Mrs. Gorcey. I am pleased that the Lower East Side Legal Aid Society could help you.”
Mrs. Gorcey nodded and then bid them goodbye. Justine started for the door, prepared to finish her errand here and then go see Jack. How dare Gorcey just not pay his wife—?
“A moment, please.”
She turned to her brother-in-law. “I need to see Mr. Rosen.” She had questions about the police department.
“That will need to wait. Sit down.”
“Why?”
Instead of answering, Frank went to the doorway and spoke to someone in the corridor. “Send in my wife, will you?”
Unease slid down Justine’s spine. “Why do you need Mamie in here?”
He said nothing, merely crossed his arms and frowned at her.
Skirts rustled in the hall. “Frank, I’m busy. What do you want?” Mamie stormed into the room, as regal and unafraid as ever. Then she saw Justine and stopped. “Oh, hello, Tina.” She looked between them and cocked her head.