It's only because I love you so much."I felt bad seeing his hurt expression. Men are really such simplecreatures!"I'm sorry. I'm tired."Simon leant ov...r the bath and started to massage my neck and shoulders.I leant forward and he massaged my back I relaxed but then his handmoved round to my front and went to my nipple and instead of revellingin the sensations I tensed and made to start to wash. Simon did notseem to notice my brush off and went out of the bathroom to do the nextstage of his. “How do you know about that?” Mercy asked.“It’s not a fucking secret. You know how to do it?” Caine asked.“Of course,” Victoria said, sounding a bit insulted. “That is a sacred rite of courtesy between sworn and anointed officers of the church. It’s hardly appropriate regarding an acolyte and the subject of an inquisitorial investigation.”“Then leave,” Caine shrugged. “We have more important shit to deal with.”“If you’re going to hinder our investigation, perhaps we should leave you to the. . I didn’t know. I understand.” She turned to walk away.“Mattie! Don’t! You, Albert and Jim are the only friends I’ve got. I have acquaintances all over the world. You guys liked me before you knew. Don’t change.”“You’re paying me! I feel like a thief.”“You want to go to university ... I’d give you the money. I respect you for wanting to earn it. Albert, too. Where did he get that nifty car?”Yup ... trying to change the subject.Jim said, “The Royce? You’ve seen Albert’s Rolls?”“He took us to. My commission on this trade would be enough to put meover the top in my quest to obtain my own trading seat on the Merc.Getting a seat was very much like joining a country club; you had to be'sponsored' by existing members. If Rob and Jim were willing to give metheir endorsement... Robert Nelson was our Chairman and Chief ExecutiveOfficer. James Grant was President and Chief Operating Officer. Theyhad started from much the same position I was in now - working forsomeone else, then acquiring.