Black Platinum (In the Shadows Book 6)

by P. T. Michelle

  Sebastian gives him a curt nod, then says in a non-negotiable tone, “We need the rest today, Phil.”

  “What did you do for him that he’s so accommodating?” I ask once the detective shuts the door.

  Sebastian slides the two photos back into the folder. “Normally the Blake name is enough. Blake Industries brings in millions to the city, and my father has funded many political campaigns, including the mayor and members of the city council. But I also got Phil out from under a huge gambling debt his eighteen-year-old kid racked up.”

  “How’d you do that?”

  He flashes a dark smile. “Having a tech whiz like Elijah came in very handy for discovering dirt Phil could use as leverage against the loan sharks.”

  I’ve met several of Sebastian’s team, but never the ever-helpful Elijah. “When am I going to meet Elijah? I swear, I’m beginning to think he’s a very real-sounding AI who lives only in the computer system.”

  “I wish an AI computer had his intuitive hacking skills; I’d save a mint in Compensation and Benefits. Elijah’s not cheap, but he’s worth every penny. You’ll get to meet him soon enough once he’s done pulling every camera feed Calder identifies from the street in front of the church.”

  “Which is completely legal?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.

  “When you swim with sharks, your teeth need to be just as sharp.”

  I know Sebastian’s fighting to protect his family from further threats. Sometimes timely data retrieval is hard to come by, but I prefer getting data the old fashioned way if possible…through contacts. My stomach growls and I glance at my watch. I can’t believe it’s almost lunchtime already. I planned to check on Mina after I eat. “Have you talked to your father or sister today?”

  Sebastian’s phone rings and he holds it up, his expression tense as he hits the speaker button. “Hey, Mina. How’s Adam holding up?”

  “He left for work before the sun rose. Can you believe that crap?” she snaps.

  Sebastian sets the phone on the table and leans on it with both hands, tension in his face. “Tell me one of the guys went with him.”

  “Gavin did. Damien drank until he passed out last night.”

  “How are you doing?”

  “Actually, I’m beyond annoyed at the moment. Can you believe the restaurant is trying to bill us for being no shows for last night? The manager even tried to deny that Mom had issues with their service right before we were due to arrive.” She stops talking and exhales an unsteady breath, her voice rising. “I just don’t need that kind of stress. Now that I have the funeral arrangements done, I’ve got to put together an announcement for the paper.”

  “Leave the restaurant to me and don’t announce anything in the paper, Mina. There’s too much risk right now.”

  She sighs. “Of course. Duh! Sorry, I’m running on autopilot.”

  “Mina, I’m here too,” I say, relieved to hear Mina is in planning mode. “If you need help with Josi so you can run errands and such, we’ll be glad to watch her.”

  “Thank you, both. I may need your help as the time draws closer. Oh, the funeral service is on Wednesday at four. The director asked that the family be there by three-thirty.”

  “I have to continue to work the investigation, Mina. It’s the only way to keep everyone safe, so I won’t be attending the funeral.”

  My gaze snaps to Sebastian. When complete silence comes across the line, my husband lifts his gaze to mine. I shake my head, but I understand why he’s chosen not to attend.

  “You’re joking, right?” Mina’s surprised tone shifts to frustration. “Seb, I know you didn’t care that much for my mother, but it’s a Blake funeral for God’s sake! She’s family.”

  “I’ll be doing my part protecting the rest of you,” he says in a tense tone as he straightens to slide his hands in his slacks’ pockets.

  “The family needs you there. I need you.”

  I see the struggle in his expression and I swallow the lump in my throat. I know what’s at stake for Sebastian.

  “Mina, you know I’d do anything for you. I’m sure you’re in pain right now, but this is one request I just can’t agree to.”

  “I can’t freaking believe this!” As Mina’s voice rises, I stand and move to his side. Sebastian wraps his arm around me and pulls me close as she rants. “We welcomed you into our home, made you a part of our family and this is the thanks we get? I get? What am I supposed to say to those attending who ask why you’re not there? I don’t even want to think what the tabloids will say about this!”

  Does Mina realize how much she sounds like her mother at the moment? My stomach churns and I feel so torn by Mina’s reaction that I try to smooth over the tense situation. “Mina, our offer still stands to babysit Josi while you’re busy with all the arrangements for the funeral. We want to do what we can to support you.”

  “But not this? I’m sorry, Talia, but no thank you. If this is how my supposed brother is going to act, he doesn’t deserve to spend time with his goddaughter. Not now, not ever.”

  The line goes dead, but the silence in the room is the worst. I look at Sebastian and the tormented haze in his eyes tears me up inside. I know this is one time my husband cannot compromise, nor should he have to. I touch his jaw and wait until his blue eyes meet mine. “She’ll come around, Sebastian. She loves you and Josi adores you. She’s just hurting right now.”

  He folds me in his arms, his expression grim. “I don’t know if this will pass, Talia. The whole Blake family will see this as a slap in the face. I sincerely wish that weren’t the case, but I can’t change it.”

  “I know you’re staying silent for Mina’s sake, but what good does it do you if you remain estranged from her because of it? I think you’re being a bit too protective of your little sister. She’s tough under that sweet exterior. Life is also about experiences and if she doesn’t have those—both good and bad—how can she learn to become as strong as she can be?”

  “Mina’s not the only one I’m protecting.” He hooks his hands at the base of my spine. “I’m safeguarding the family name now too, even if I’ll no longer be welcome as a part of it.”

  “That’s not right that you’re on the right side of this issue, but your honor and loyalty won’t be understood or appreciated.” I rest my head on his chest and exhale a frustrated sigh.

  “Sacrifice is never the easy path. Sometimes it’s not the perfect path either, but in my case, it’s the only one that honors my mother’s memory.” He folds his fingers in my hair, pulling the ends to his nose. “I’ll survive, Little Red.”

  Knuckles rap on the door just before Calder walks in, a stack of printouts in hand. “No location on Talia’s aunt yet. We think she might’ve gone away for the weekend. Her house is quiet. Phil sent this paperwork. He said he only got a card from me, so that’s the email he used to send this large file. The top one is the rendering of the igniter they found at the—” A ringing cell phone cuts him off and he pulls his phone from his pocket. “What’s up, Theo?” Calder frowns and looks at Sebastian. “The entire detail covering the Blake estate has been asked to leave. Did you request this?”

  “Fucking hell,” my husband mutters. Glancing at the paperwork in Calder’s hand, he takes the phone from his cousin. “Pull the men off the grounds, Theo, but don’t leave. Stay outside the perimeter of the estate. We’ll call you back.”

  Sebastian hands Calder his phone, then picks up his own cell from the table and dials a number. “Hey, should you be at work? Of course, I’m at the office. Where else would I be?” he grumbles. “Fair point, old man. Question: Do you agree that the family’s safety is your number one priority, no matter your feelings on anything else? Good. Now tell your daughter to allow my men to do their damn jobs.”

  His father’s voice rumbles on the line and my husband glances my way. “I’d planned to have lunch with Talia.”

  I quickly mouth, “Go, he needs you right now.”

  “But she’s okay to reschedule
for tomorrow. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  Hanging up, he looks at Calder. “Can you head over to the family estate and make sure my sister follows orders?”

  “Why would Mina not want to be protected?”

  Sebastian lifts his suit jacket off the chair and slips into it. Buttoning the front, he says, “She’s being difficult. Mina’s angry because I told her I’m not going to the funeral.”

  Calder blinks at his cousin. “Bash, I know you despised Isabel, but even I think that’s taking things to the extreme. It’s not like you’re being asked to give a eulogy.”

  “I’ll be busy working the case to keep the family safe.”

  “What kind of bullshi—”

  “I’m going to be late if I don’t leave now to meet my father,” Sebastian says. He glances my way and I wave him on.

  “Why are you still here? I’ll look over the rendering and see if we can magnify the other picture to read possible serial numbers.”

  Stepping close, Sebastian kisses my forehead and says in a low voice, “Did you know you were going to lose the bet?”

  His question throws me for a second, then I remember that I’d mentioned cleaning the apartment to the detective. I give him a secret smile to cover my blunder. “Now that we’re giving up the lease on the apartment, maybe your office can become my new home away from home.”

  “You’re already an invaluable member of our team.”

  “But I haven’t done anything yet.”

  “I didn’t say what team I was talking about.”

  “Get a room, you two,” Calder snorts.

  Snickering, I smile at my husband. “Go enjoy lunch with your father.”

  The moment Sebastian leaves, Calder turns to me, his amusement gone. “What the hell is going on with Sebastian? This funeral thing seems extreme.”

  “Do you trust him, Calder?”

  His light brown brows pull together. “Of course. More than anyone.”

  “Trust me when I say that Sebastian’s only goal is to protect his family.”

  “To the point of aliening himself?”

  “I believe you did something similar not that long ago. I’m going to assume you had your reasons?” When his only answer is to press his lips together, I raise my eyebrow. “Was Sebastian there for you?”

  He stares at me for a second, then tilts his head, his green eyes drilling into me. “Yeah, he was.” With a curt nod, he hands me the stack of papers and starts to leave, but turns back. “Thanks, Talia.”

  “For what?”

  “Reminding me what being a brother means.”

  I smile, relieved that Calder will have Sebastian’s back. “You’re welcome.”

  My phone rings as he walks out. I glance down at the Caller ID this time and know I can’t ignore this one.

  “Hey, Aunt Vanessa.”

  “Talia! I just found out what happened at your wedding rehearsal. I’d gone to stay at a Bed and Breakfast for a couple of days and didn’t see the news until this morning. I’m so sorry, dear, but also so very glad you’re safe.”

  My aunt’s voice is so shaky, I feel horrible for not inviting her to the wedding sooner. “I’m fine. Of course the family is mourning Isabel’s death, so the wedding has been pushed back for the funeral and while an investigation is going on. Also, since I have you, I wanted to let you know you’ll be getting your invitation with the new date of the wedding in the mail soon.”

  “Oh, Talia…that makes me so happy. Thank you! I wouldn’t miss it! Of course now I’m worried about what happened. Please tell me it was an accident and that you’re not in any danger.”

  “I’m fine, Aunt Van—” My heart jolts as my gaze lands on the top page of the stack of papers Calder gave me. I stare at the rendering of the igniter from the police’s tech department. Oh, shit!

  “Talia? Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, I’m good, but I really have to go now. We have a lot to do.”

  I hang up and stare at the drawing. It looks exactly like the “tracker” I chucked into the water fountain outside the Fine Tapas restaurant.

  I’m pretty sure the water would’ve compromised the circuitry, rendering its igniter component useless against the bit of explosive compound, but if I can retrieve it we might be able to get serial numbers off that one. All I can hope is that it’s actually not a GPS tracker like I thought, and if it’s still sending a signal that the person who planted it on my car hasn’t found it yet.

  I quickly grab my purse and walk out into the cubicle area, then remember I rode to the office with Sebastian. Frustrated, I glance around the couple of occupied desks and know that the men are busy working aspects of the case for Sebastian. Calder just left to deal with Mina and the last thing I’ll do is pull Sebastian away from much needed quality time with his father. Biting my lip, I retrieve my phone and dial the only other person I can trust to give me a ride.

  Chapter 12

  Sebastian

  “Hey,” I say as my half-brother, Gavin, walks out of Adam’s outer office door.

  He just sneers and brushes past me.

  “That bad, huh?”

  “What do you care?” He turns and buttons his suit jacket, his hazel green eyes drilling into me. “You’re ditching your family on a day when tragedy should unite us, and yet he’s choosing you over me.”

  Mina must’ve told Gavin I’m not attending the funeral. Guess I’m back on the black list. It always was my best color. “It’s just lunch, Gavin.”

  He stiffens. “It’s never just lunch with him. As for your wedding, whatever day it gets rescheduled, I’ve got to work.”

  My hand curls tight around my car keys in my pocket. “That hurts Talia. She doesn’t deserve that.”

  “You didn’t think twice about hurting Mina. I don’t know if you thrive on burning relationships to the ground or what, but if you fuck with our father the way you just did our sister, I’ll cut you off at the knees.”

  Narrowing my gaze on him, I turn and walk into the office, shutting the door. If I don’t, I’ll put my fist through his face.

  Adam’s on the phone when I enter his office. He nods to acknowledge my presence and gestures for me to sit in the leather chair in front of his desk.

  He’s talking in a fast clip, negotiating the terms of a development agreement. As I stare at his graying dark hair, it occurs to me that Talia’s right. I do look like my father. I’m seeing a version of myself thirty years in the future. Except I wouldn’t be this calm if I’d just lost Talia. I’d be out there wreaking havoc and breaking any laws necessary to ferret out the bastard who took my wife from me. He would pay in the most painful way possible.

  But my father and I definitely both use work to keep us sane. Considering my personal feelings for Isabel, I decide it’s best to keep the subject on business. The moment he hangs up, I lift my chin toward the paperwork he’s putting away. “Sounds like you got what you wanted.”

  “I’m not in a mood to be messed with.”

  My eyebrow hikes. “Is that a warning for how this meeting is going to go?”

  Adam Blake’s expression remains serious as he comes around to rest his thigh on his desk in front of me. “I can’t imagine anyone intentionally wanting to harm us. What did your police contact say caused the explosion?”

  “Unfortunately it was intentional. Someone planted a bomb on the limo. The only way something that small could’ve caused the explosion the way it did was if it was put right on the gas tank flap.”

  My father’s eyes mist over and he glances away, clearing his throat. “Do they have any leads?”

  “None that I’m aware of yet, but we’re also working the case. I’ll let you know as soon as something develops.”

  “Definitely keep me in the loop. While you were on your way over here, Den asked to schedule a meeting after ours. He wants me to meet an old MI6 colleague of his who’s here in town. He’s considering moving to New York.”

  “If he’s looking for a job
, it’s probably a good idea to expand your security team, especially if the man is anywhere close to Den’s caliber.”

  “If Den recommends him, I’ll definitely meet him, but now that it’s just me…” Adam shrugs. “One guard is enough. But if I feel good about him, I might send the man your way. Are you looking to expand your team some more?”

  “Our team has worked, because I’ve hand picked the men based on working together on past jobs.”

  “Understood. I’ll only let you know if he impresses the hell out of me.” Adam runs his hand down his tie. “Since I have that meeting right be hind this, are you okay to eat here? Ms. Shaw has ordered sandwiches for us.”

  “Are you going to admit that you can’t work through all your grief? You should take some time off.”

  “You mean like you’re taking some time off by not attending the funeral?”

  When I open my mouth to speak, he sighs and shakes his head. “I’m still coming down from my aggressive negotiator mode. I don’t expect you to be there, Sebastian.”

  I’m so stunned, I can’t respond for a couple seconds. “You don’t?”

  “No, I truly don’t.” Adam folds his hands together, resting them on his thigh. “I know Isabel wasn’t the kindest to you when you first came to live with us, and that’s on me that I didn’t correct her attitude years ago.” I start to speak, but he shakes his head. “I can’t take that past back, but I can respect your decision about the funeral.”

  I rest my right ankle over my knee and dip my head, appreciating his understanding. “Are you going to tell me what this meeting is about?”

  “Right.” Adam stands, then moves around to sit behind his desk.

  Ms. Shaw, an older woman who guards him like a dragon, knocks and walks in with two white bags, handing each of us one. “Your lunch is a chicken sandwich on freshly made buns and kettle chips from The Bistro.”

  My father unwraps his sandwich from the white waxy paper and takes a bite. Rumbling his approval, he grabs a folder and slides it across the desk toward me.