He fixed her with a gaze that suitably expressed that the idea was non-negotiable.
‘Damn it, Ethan,’ she said with frustration, understanding that this was an argument she wasn’t going to win.
He looked back to the house. ‘Anyway, it’s irrelevant now.’
‘What do you mean,’ she said as she followed his gaze and saw her father standing in the open doorway.
‘Elena?’ her father said, watching their altercation on the pavement below.
‘Jesus,’ she groaned under her breath and hurried up the steps to her father.
‘Dad, hi,’ she said as Ethan followed behind. ‘I’m sorry, there’s been a slight change of plan. This is my friend, Ethan. It’s late notice, I know, but I’d like him to join us this evening?’
‘Of course,’ her father said as he looked him over, sizing him up, considering what the connection was between this man and his daughter. But he kept his charm and his manners, not giving anything away just yet.
‘Ethan, this is my father, Charles,’ she continued. She could have laughed at the absurdity of the situation, but there was far too much to lose, so instead, she settled on blind panic.
‘Hello, Mr Dumont,’ Ethan said, cool and composed as he shook his hand while she worked hard to control her heart rate. ‘What a beautiful home you have here.’
‘Thank you,’ he said with a guarded smile. He tentatively placed a small kiss on Elena’s cheek and looked Ethan in the eye. ‘Please, come in,’ he said as he stood back from the door. There was none of his usual exuberance, only a cautiously friendly greeting in the circumstances, and Elena was glad of it. He had a lot to make up for still and, if he was trying, he was taking it seriously. But maybe because of that, and somewhere deep within her, was the feeling of guilt at the underhand nature of their visit.
‘Shall we go through to the others?’ he said as they made their way through the lobby and down the corridor towards the study.
Her father opened the door and there, standing before her, was her family: her mother and brother – more a stranger than a sibling, the only link their same coloured hair, which he wore short and very well-groomed. But the sight that caught her off guard, making her suddenly rooted to the spot, was her uncle, standing with his back to the fireplace, drink in hand, staring at both herself and Ethan as they walked into the room. The work she had done to bring her heart rate down slipped away as it began its fast pace again. The four of them watching her and Ethan in the awkward atmosphere was intimidating, and it took all of Elena’s strength to calm and compose herself while considering if they had done it this way deliberately, knowing it would fluster her?
‘Elena,’ her mother said. She jumped up from the sofa and walked over to her as her brother and uncle eyed them both suspiciously.
Elena greeted everyone with as genuine a smile as she could manage. She hugged her mother, picking up the hostility that filled the room.
‘Hello,’ her uncle piped up, his eyes on Ethan. ‘So, who is this cuckoo in the nest, eh, Elena?’
‘Who indeed?’ her brother muttered as he drank his champagne.
She looked at them hard. ‘That’s enough. He’s a friend, his name is Ethan, and you should know right now that if you can’t be pleasant, we will be leaving.’
‘No, Elena, there’s no need for that,’ her mother said hurriedly. ‘Charles, get them both a drink.’
‘Of course,’ he said as he moved to the cabinet behind the desk and poured two glasses of champagne. He walked over and handed one to each of them and turned to face the interrogators. ‘Elena is right; it’s her business and nobody else’s.’
‘Ethan, it’s very nice to meet you, and you are welcome here,’ her mother said warmly.
‘Thank you, Mrs Dumont. It’s very nice to meet you too,’ Ethan said, giving Elena’s mother a smile that caused her cheeks to flush.
‘Please, call me Sophia, and this is Edmond, my brother-in-law, and my son, Milo,’ she said as she flashed them both a stern look. ‘They may sometimes need reminding of their manners, but they’ll get there in the end.’
They both mumbled a half-hearted greeting and Elena noted their discomfort. She also saw the strain in her mother’s expression as she too struggled to understand who this new man was in her daughter’s life. But despite the awkwardness it didn’t stop the warm satisfaction of subtle triumph as Ethan turned his attention to her brother and uncle, smiling again as he raised his glass to them, not in any way intimidated by the moment. Taking it one step further, he then placed his other hand against the small of Elena’s back, an action that was picked up by everyone in the room, like bees to honey. Another maddening piece of the puzzle that she would decline to share. She should have known that Ethan would do something like this. It was too much to ask someone who felt the way he did not to stake his claim in some way, but she enjoyed the way her family reacted and made no attempt to move or conceal it.
Milo scowled at Elena as she drank, knowing he was forbidden from any further questioning, but there would be more comments made before tonight was over, she knew. He’d soon revert to type. She was ready though, and would face it in a way she had never done before, because that was just it; how she dealt with her family was all before. Before the abduction, before the betrayal by her father, and before Ethan had come into her life. These were new traits in Elena that they didn’t yet know, but by the end of the evening, they would understand.
Elena watched as her flustered mother hurriedly thought of something to say. ‘Let’s go to the dining room, shall we?’ she said. ‘I’ll speak to the caterers to add an extra setting to the table.’
‘That sounds like a very good idea,’ Charles said, happy to move them on as he made his way to the door. The others followed, and Elena hoped the move to another room would help to melt the ice that was beginning to form. Her father led the way, and Elena held back so that they would be the last to follow.
Ethan’s arm snaked around her waist as he moved close enough beside her to speak quietly into her ear. ‘You underestimate how well you cope,’ he whispered, ‘but let’s not forget the other reason why we’re here.’ He squeezed the metallic object into her hand which she took and wrapped her fingers protectively around.
She nodded and kept her eyes front as her uncle turned his head, eyeing them, checking them out.
Elena and Ethan entered the dining room. Every effort had been made – a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers sat in the middle of the table, and the best crystal was out. In any other family, this would be a show of love, an effort to bring a family together, perhaps. But not in Elena’s. Instead, this was a show of power and a lesson in who was in charge. They waited to take their seats as the caterers laid an extra place at the table. She knew that the evening would consist of only the best food and wine, but it didn’t help her. She had no appetite whatsoever. Her mother gave out her seating instructions, and Elena was relieved to be placed next to Ethan. Her brother sat opposite, next to her uncle and her mother was by her side at the head of the table, her father the opposite end, in his usual spot.
Elena subtly dropped the flashdrive into her clutch bag just as the waiting staff entered the room to serve the wine. Her uncle spent much time deliberating, asking if there would be a fish course and what the meat would be. She inwardly cringed at how pretentious he sounded, guffawing like a buffoon, a harmless fool. But his steely eyes emphasised that the joviality never reached that far, hinting that there was much more to this man than his inoffensive exterior. She watched him, trying to find a glimmer of something that might expose him, and was only distracted when she too was asked for her choice of wine. She opted for a glass of white, ignoring her brother’s watchful stare, perhaps waiting for a slip-up that he could jump on and attack.
Chapter 24
Plates of seared scallops were placed in front of them all, and her father quietly thanked the waiting staff before they moved to the back of the room. It would have been impossible to ig
nore the atmosphere, and Elena imagined the staff having a good laugh about it later, over a cigarette outside.
‘Have you had any more thoughts about when you are going back to work, Elena?’ her father asked as they began to eat.
Milo snorted noisily, placed his cutlery on the plate, and took a large slug of wine.
‘Milo,’ Charles said. ‘I would like us to have a pleasant dinner.’
Elena drank her wine too. Her father was trying hard, causing another twinge of guilt at what she was about to do, but now was the time to begin the plan. ‘Actually, I have some documents I have to print out for work, I don’t know if Mum mentioned them to you?’
‘Ah, yes she did. Of course you can print them here.’
‘Great, thanks.’ She pushed the food around her plate and took a few bites, but she was unable to eat the rest. So she twisted the stem of her wine glass between her fingers and glanced at Ethan who was enjoying the food before him. He noticed and gave a sideways look and smiled; a show of support.
Milo caught the exchange and glared at them. He opened his mouth to speak, but Edmond spoke before all of them.
‘Are you local, Ethan?’ he asked as his eyes narrowed. ‘I’m in Somerset. Charles dragged me into town. Can’t stand the place, except for my brother’s hospitality and maybe White’s in St James’s Street.’ He gave a strange laugh as the drink in his glass threatened to spill out onto his napkin. ‘Always get a good meal here, though,’ he said as he tapped his belly.
‘I live on the other side of town,’ Ethan said as he finished his food, keeping an eye on Milo.
Milo made his move. ‘What part of town, exactly?’
‘Docklands, near the Wharf.’
‘Ah,’ Milo said, giving a good show, making a steeple of his fingers, deep in thought. ‘But, isn’t that where Adam lives, Elena?’ He waved his finger between the two of them. ‘Does he know about this little arrangement?’
And so it begins.
‘No, he doesn’t,’ she replied curtly. ‘Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ve ended my relationship with Adam.’
‘My, my, Elena,’ he said with a tight-lipped smile. ‘What have you been up to?’
‘Back off, Milo,’ she warned.
‘Milo,’ Sophia said, but it was soft and he ignored it.
‘Maybe it’s the influence of her new friend,’ Edmond said with a glint in his eye, enjoying this exchange.
‘That’s enough,’ Charles warned.
‘Well now, Edmond, that’s a very good point,’ Milo said, ignoring his father. ‘What’s the deal between you two, eh? Did the two of you meet over a pile of bones at the museum?’ he asked with a chuckle.
‘How funny you are,’ she replied sarcastically, through gritted teeth.
‘Yes, that’s right, I’m hilarious,’ Milo replied, his tone empty of humour. ‘So come on Elena, tell us all where you met. I’m sure we all want to know.’
Elena sensed the tension in Ethan, feeling the heat of anger radiate from him.
‘Why do you suddenly care about me and what goes on in my life,’ she asked. ‘You certainly never cared in the past.’
Milo glanced round at Edmond. ‘Well, could it be that Elena has something to hide?’ he said. ‘She certainly seems reluctant to share.’
‘Oh, come on, Milo, we all know that’s got nothing to do with it,’ she replied. ‘For someone who cares so little for me, you do seem very keen to know about every intricate detail of my life. Does it frustrate you that I won’t share?’
‘No,’ he huffed like a cocky adolescent. ‘Couldn’t care less.’
‘Oh, really,’ she said, rolling her eyes. ‘Well, whatever, Milo, but this conversation is over now.’
He locked eyes with her, his lip curled in anger. ‘Oh, is it?’
‘Yes, it is, and you’re going to stop with the glaring, the remarks, and the belittling now. Am I making myself clear?’
‘That sounds awfully like a threat, Elena. Who’s going to make me?’
‘I am,’ she replied, not willing to back down.
‘You?’ He laughed. ‘You? And who’s army?’ he goaded.
‘How about mine,’ Ethan interrupted, leaning in with an arm resting on the table as he glared at Milo.
The mocking smile was knocked from Milo’s lips as if Ethan had swiped it away with his fist. Glancing at Elena, he did a double-take when he saw her small triumphant smirk.
Sophia laughed nervously. ‘Milo. Behave,’ she lightly reprimanded as she glanced at Ethan.
‘What?’ Milo spat, his hand outstretched towards Elena. ‘Can’t you see what she’s doing?’
‘You can apologise to Ethan and your sister too, I think,’ she said with a gentle point of her finger, in an attempt to keep things from deteriorating any further. ‘She has been through enough recently.’
Milo was indignant. ‘Why would I want to do that?’
Ethan kept his eyes fixed on Milo, his demeanour betraying the amount of physical damage he could do to her brother. And somewhere in her mind, Elena considered how much she’d like to witness it.
‘Milo, that is enough!’ Charles thundered, throwing his napkin down onto the table, startling Elena and her mother. ‘You will apologise to your sister immediately, and I suggest you cut back on the wine and remain quiet until you can be civil. You are embarrassing yourself in front of our guest.’ He glanced at his brother. ‘You are not helping either, Edmond.’
Edmond sank back into his seat, opened his mouth to speak, but then thought better of it.
Her father was the epitome of etiquette, and despite whatever he may be feeling about this situation, he would not let his family behave so shabbily in front of others – especially one they knew so little about.
‘You have my apology,’ Milo replied tersely, without remorse.
Calmer now, Charles gave Ethan a small smile. ‘I apologise for my son, Ethan. He’s headstrong, but it has made him a very successful career as a barrister like myself, and sometimes his assertiveness spills over into his personal life.’
Ethan returned the smile, his composure restored, but his eyes gave away the anger that lay just beneath the surface.
‘Can I get you more wine?’ he asked, pointing to Ethan’s empty glass.
‘Thank you, but no. I’m driving later.’
‘Some water, then,’ he said as he gestured to one of the waiters who approached the table and filled Ethan’s water glass. ‘You would benefit from the same, Milo.’
‘I am not drinking water,’ Milo huffed.
Her father sighed, returned to his food, and bought up an innocuous subject that could safely move them on from the confrontation. Everyone acted with quiet civility, eating their food, and joining in the conversation. All except Milo, who continued to brood like the spoilt child he was.
‘I think we’ll have coffee in the drawing-room,’ her father said to the head of the waiting staff as they finished up. The man nodded as the other waiters moved forwards ready to clear the table.
Now was the time to get to work. Elena got up and smoothed her dress, her hands clammy and her heart racing. ‘I’d like to use your computer now please, for these documents?’ she said under Ethan’s watchful gaze.
‘Of course,’ her father said as he moved to the door. ‘Use the laptop in the study.’ He held his hand out, gesturing everyone to leave.
She glanced at Ethan. ‘I’ll just be a minute,’ she said as steadily as she could.
***
Elena’s heart thundered as she hurried to the study. Was it because of the guilt? It should have been the guilt, but that was not the reason. It was because she was excited, thrilled even, living this way. On the edge, with Ethan. She turned the little chrome stick over in her hand – so small, and yet ready to unleash so much damage.
As she turned the door handle, she inwardly thanked her legs for getting her there and began to tremble as she fired up the laptop. She just needed to let the flashdrive work and
then close it down. Simple as that, and he wouldn’t know a thing about it. She watched the screen as it kicked into action and listened to the faint voices coming from the drawing-room. She hoped Milo would be behaving, but even if he wasn’t, and if earlier was anything to go by, Ethan would be fine.
The system was open and ready, so she plugged the stick into the computer and watched as its little red light at the tip flashed repeatedly. It was working, sending out its code, invading every corner of the system. Stealing all of the information the computer held, with nothing to stop it. Her hands were shaking as she waited. Ethan was right, no one would have any idea of what the device was doing behind the scenes. No clue at all. A bit like her.
The handle on the door turned, making her jump. Her father walked in, catching her eye. ‘Are you all right, Elena?’ he asked. ‘You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’
She smiled. ‘You startled me, that’s all. I didn’t hear you coming,’ she said as she grabbed some paper from the printer and folded it in two, her fake documents. The light on the stick went out, its work done. She hurriedly released it and closed the lid of the laptop as he walked across the room towards her.
‘I’m glad we are alone,’ he said. ‘It’s nice to be able to talk, away from the bravado of your brother. Even though you seemed to enjoy challenging him a little tonight.’
‘More defending than challenging, I’d say, and it’s nothing more than he deserved. I apologise if I was rude, but I’m not sure either of us will get a genuine apology from him for his behaviour.’
‘I think, in the circumstances, you handled yourself very well. We all know what Milo can be like. He needs to be brought down a peg or two sometimes. It won’t do him any harm, and you’re right, there will be no apology from him.’
She nodded, happy to have her father’s attention, but something about this moment made her uneasy. Something didn’t feel quite right.
He walked to the cabinet in the corner of the room behind his desk and poured himself a glass of whisky. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m fine, Dad. Well, I’m getting there,’ she said, listening to the others.
When I Know Your Name Page 21