by Annie Seaton
He lifted his head as the bitterness tainted the taste of the last sip of wine. ‘They were executed, but it was all about her, and her climb up the greasy pole of promotion. It was politically expedient at the time to have a big international bust. With that one investigation—that she had very little to do with, apart from letting them out of the country—she achieved the recognition that she wanted. She’s Deputy Commissioner now.’ This time his laugh was laced with bitterness. ‘It didn’t matter to her who she used on the way up. And Greg and I? Look where we ended up. Makes you wonder if it’s all worth it, doesn’t it?’
Connor stared past her to the window. He’d not spoken to Nina since that day. He’d gone to the house, cleared out what he wanted and left town in disgust.
Dru put her elbows on the table, and her voice was quiet. ‘Where did you and Greg end up?’
‘Greg lives in a humpy in the wilds of the Kimberley coast.’ Connor reached for the bottle and filled his glass again.
‘And you? You went straight into private work?’
‘I did. A one-man crusade trying to end the drug trade. I figured if the police force was so corrupt I could bring integrity to the process and make a difference. But I was kidding myself, wasn’t I?’ Connor was talking to himself as he stared past Dru. A bright shard of sunlight pierced the window and hit the crystals hanging from the standard lamp beside the desk. Rainbow colours danced across the ceiling and she turned to see what he was looking at.
‘You sound very cynical,’ she said softly when she turned to face him again. ‘Is that why you moved across to the different sort of work you’re doing now?’
‘You know what, Drusilla Porter?’ He rolled her name around his tongue. He liked the sound of it. Her blue eyes were wide as she stared at him, and her face had lost its pallor completely. Her cheeks were now tinged with a soft pink and loose strands of hair fell across her forehead; she was a beautiful woman. Connor put the wine down and fought the attraction that had taken hold of him. He wasn’t going to make any foolish wine-fuelled mistakes with her. He’d already stuffed up enough. He couldn’t believe that he was actually telling her about his past.
‘What’s that, Connor?’
‘I think I took this job on because I was tired. Tired of trying to do the impossible for almost ten years. Tired of trying to make sense of what happened back then.’ Regret flitted through him. ‘And because I wasn’t on my game, I’ve stuffed up big time. I’m sorry I assumed the worst of you, and we—I—misinterpreted that information.’
‘No.’ Dru shook her head and smiled. Connor dropped his gaze as her smile jolted him into hyperawareness of her. Her whole face came alight when she let herself smile like that. ‘I’m pleased you took the case on, and I’m even pleased you followed me to Dubai. God knows where I would have been by now if it weren’t for you. Probably in Zayed’s bloody penthouse overlooking the Persian Gulf.’
Her smile wavered and he saw her clenched hands.
‘If you didn’t have a successful track record, Matsu wouldn’t have hired you. But nobody’s perfect. Everyone makes mistakes.’
This time his laugh was harsh. ‘You want to know what led me to my wrong assumption? Why you pushed my buttons?’
Her expression was wary. ‘Why?’
Connor stood and put his glass on the table. ‘I made more than one mistake. More than the assumption about your finances. What really drove me was the fact that you were a confident, successful woman. And you didn’t let anyone get the better of you.’
He crossed to the single sofa and sat down. Leaning forward he dropped his face into his hands. ‘I took one look at you and jumped to a conclusion. I assumed you were just like Nina Smythe. My boss and my one-time fiancée.’
Dru stood slowly and crossed over to where Connor was sitting with his hands over his face. There was a lot more happening here than him suspecting her of a diamond theft. She sensed there was more to his distress than what he was letting on.
Her limbs were loose and relaxed and the tension had left her body. Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was talking to him, but she felt a flood of sympathy towards him. She sensed his strength and after what she’d seen from him over the last day, she knew she could depend on him to keep her safe. She crouched down in front of him and he jumped when she touched his hands. He stared at her, his eyes shadowed.
‘You are being way too hard on yourself,’ Dru said. ‘I don’t care how you got here, or what you thought about me. You made a mistake. But listen to me. If it wasn’t for you, I would be in big trouble now. I trust you and that’s a feeling I’m not used to.’ She kept hold of his hands. ‘I’ve always had to look after myself, and having you take care of me today—despite what you suspected me of—was something I really appreciate. So forget about it and move on. I’m going to help you. I hope you’ll let me.’
‘Help me?’ A glimmer of a smile crossed Connor’s face and Dru squeezed his fingers. Warmth settled in her stomach as he held onto them. Since she’d eaten and had that glass of wine, her confidence was returning. The shakiness was going, and knowing that Zayed was a couple of hundred kilometres away added to the peaceful feeling.
‘Yes. I want you to think about this carefully before you answer. I want to go to Antwerp with you.’ She let go of his fingers and put her hand up. Her eyes were level with his. ‘I’m assuming the reason you’re going there is something to do with the diamonds. Am I right?’
‘That’s right. That’s where the diamonds first turned up.’
‘If I went with you, I could help. Would it make your investigations more believable, having a woman with you?’ A cramp grabbed Dru’s thigh and she sat back on the floor stretching her leg out. ‘I don’t know what you’re planning to do there, but I’m sure I can help somehow. Please? You helped me. I owe you this.’
He looked at her as if he was considering what she was asking. She tipped her head to the side and brushed her hair back impatiently as it fell across her eyes. ‘Look, I’ll be totally honest. I can’t bear the thought of going home alone. I can’t do it. Even if I can’t help, please let me stay with you.’
Connor nodded slowly before he stood and held his hand out to her. He pulled her up to her feet and she stood in front of him. ‘First up, you don’t owe me anything.’ His breath brushed against her cheek and she could smell the fruity wine on his breath. ‘God, I put you in this situation.’
Dru lifted her shoulders in a shrug. ‘I would feel much safer if I went back with you after you go to Antwerp.’ Connor opened his mouth to speak but she lifted her hand. ‘I know I’m a coward but I’m going to follow my gut feelings. I won’t feel safe on my own . . . away from you.’
She stared at him and waited for his answer.
Chapter 30
Belgium
Connor looked through the plane window wondering whether he’d made the right decision. Had he been sucked in by his emotions? He was finding Dru far too unsettling. He was consumed by the need to protect her, and he had rationalised letting her come to Antwerp by telling himself it would ensure her safety. If Al Tayer was as determined as she said he was—it might be a stretch—it was possible he’d send someone to Australia to chase Dru down.
She had fallen asleep almost as soon as they’d taken off from Abu Dhabi and her head was lolling forward at what had to be an uncomfortable angle. Even though she’d assured him she was feeling better, her eyes were dark and those mauve shadows tinged the hollows above her cheeks. He gently lifted her chin, slipped his arm behind her and moved her head onto his shoulder. Settling back into the seat, he leaned his head back and listened to Dru’s breathing. The lights dimmed and he closed his eyes, wondering what the hell he was doing taking her to Antwerp.
Maybe after all this was over he’d go back to Dubai and confront Zayed. Make him too terrified to ever contact Dru again. He deserved a shake-up after the way he’d treated her.
In the space of twenty-four hours she had gone from being his prime suspect
to someone he was now convinced was totally blameless. Speaking to Greg earlier, Connor had told him to search for a company called GCH. It was about all he had until he talked to Hughie Van Hoebeek.
Dru moved in her sleep and nestled her head further into his shoulder. Connor opened his eyes and looked down at her; the feeling that ran through him was no longer sympathy or protectiveness but a straight hit of potent desire. He dropped his gaze to her mouth, resisting the temptation to lift his fingers and run them along the soft curve of her lips.
Jesus, what is wrong with me?
He was interested in her, way too interested, and to be honest, he had been since the first minute he’d laid eyes on her in the mess at Matsu a few weeks ago. But he wasn’t going to do anything about it.
Just like him, Dru carried emotional baggage and that was the last thing he needed in his life. He didn’t have the energy or the inclination for a relationship.
‘Connor?’ Her soft voice made him jump and he moved his eyes from her mouth up to her eyes. They were intense and wide open, uncertainty clouding her expression.
‘What were you thinking about?’ Her voice was soft, and he kept his head turned to the side as she left her head on his shoulder.
‘Why?’
‘You had a strange expression on your face.’
Discomfited at being caught out staring at her, Connor lifted his arm from behind her head. ‘I was trying to make you comfortable.’ He didn’t answer her question.
‘Thank you.’
He leaned his head back and closed his eyes so he didn’t have to make further conversation. He’d already told her way too much.
*
When Dru woke for the second time, the plane had begun its descent into Brussels. She stretched, feeling refreshed. One of her feet hit the back of the footrest under the seat in front of her and she bit back the grunt of pain that threatened. Her shoe had come off and she had no chance of finding it without getting out of the seat. The ‘fasten seatbelt’ sign was already lit up for landing and the stewards were into the usual spiel about tray tables and window blinds. Connor had the headphones on and was staring at the television screen in front of him. If he’d noticed she was awake, he didn’t let on. She reached past him and pushed his tray table up and locked it into position but he didn’t move.
The way he’d been looking at her when she’d woken up before had almost made her toes curl. The feeling that coursed through her had been unfamiliar, but had replicated the breathless anticipation she’d felt before she’d been kissed when she was a teenager. She let out a small huff. It was a long time since she’d had that feeling. It was a wonder she could remember it. She’d sensed Connor’s embarrassment when she’d caught him staring, and a little smile tilted her lips. Even though he’d seen her at her worst, he made her feel attractive, and feminine. That was something that didn’t happen very often.
Dru pushed the feeling away. She snuck a sideways glance at him. He hadn’t shaved since they’d left Dubai almost thirty-six hours ago, and the dark shadow on his face gave him a rakish look. As she stared he glanced over and caught her eye, and they both looked away at the same time. Dru’s smile grew. No matter what he’d said before, he wasn’t immune to her.
He lifted the headphones from his ears and turned the screen off. ‘We’re about to land.’
‘I know. That’s why I put your table up.’
She leaned back in her seat and neither of them spoke. The silence was awkward. They’d gone from nonstop talking to a tension-filled silence. All because of a couple of adolescent-type looks. They were two adults acting like immature teenagers.
She leaned forward as far as she could and searched around for her missing shoe.
Connor’s breath brushed her cheek as he spoke. ‘What are you doing?’
‘I’ve lost my damn shoe.’ Embarrassment made her voice tense and she looked up surprised when he unfastened his seat belt and stood.
‘We’re about to land,’ she said.
‘Still got a few minutes.’ Connor’s seat was on the aisle side of her and now Dru had room to lean over and look under the seat. She didn’t notice him crouch down to help until their heads collided.
‘Ow,’ Dru said with a chuckle.
Connor turned his head and his face was only a couple of centimetres from hers. She was close enough to see the fine lines etched beside his eyes. Connor held her gaze for a few seconds before he whispered, ‘Don’t move.’ He reached forward, grabbed her shoe from beneath the seat in front and passed it to her.
‘Thank you.’ She slipped it on and as she sat back she heard the landing gear lock into place.
*
‘Do you want to freshen up while I get my bag?’ Connor asked once they had disembarked. Since they had butted heads the tension had gone and their conversation had become easier.
‘Thanks.’ Dru reached up to push a few loose strands of hair from her face and Connor shoved his hands in his pockets, tempted to reach up and touch her hand.
‘I’ll be over there at the rental car counter. You okay?’ He cleared his throat.
Her smile was easy. ‘I’m good.’
He watched as she walked away from him, her blonde head above the crowd, tall and proud. With a shake of his head, he walked over and waited for his bag to appear.
By the time she rejoined him, he’d finished the paperwork and the car rental service officer was handing him the keys. ‘Take care, sir. There’s light snow on the road,’ he said.
‘Snow?’ Dru’s voice was excited. ‘I’ve never seen snow.’
Connor turned slowly. Dru’s face was scrubbed clean and her cheeks were rosy. Her complexion was unblemished, and her dark lashes and eyebrows contrasted with her blonde hair and blue eyes. Her eyes were glowing with excitement and her lips were tilted in a smile.
‘What’s wrong?’ She put her hands to her face. ‘Did I miss something?’
‘No. You look beautiful.’
Her cheeks flushed red and Dru dropped her gaze for a moment before looking up at him. ‘Thank you.’
The woman he had found so brash and sassy at their first meeting had disappeared. It was hard to reconcile this shy Dru with the aloof engineer from Matsu Diamond Mine.
Connor cleared his throat again. It was time to stop mooning about; there was work to be done.
‘It looks cold out there.’ He gestured to the door where the snow was falling lightly.
‘I’ll have to do some shopping before we go and visit your jeweller. So what’s the plan?’ she asked as he stooped to pick up his bag. Dru had carried the small bag that held the few clothes she had with her onto the plane.
‘Wait up a minute.’ Connor flicked open his bag and removed the leather coat that was lying in the top. ‘This’ll keep you warm till we reach the hotel.’ He planned on heading straight to the diamond district in Antwerp from Brussels. He’d left it to Greg to find a hotel but there was no voicemail message on his phone when he’d turned it on after they’d landed. He held up the coat and Dru slipped her arms into it. It was a little big for her and the sleeves were a bit long.
‘Thank you. That should do the trick.’
He picked up his bag and looked at her before holding out his hand. She slipped her fingers into his. ‘Don’t want to lose you,’ he said gruffly.
‘Don’t worry. You’re stuck with me.’ She laughed and shook her head. ‘Until we get home anyway.’ The level of banter held an undercurrent of tension and Connor hoped that Greg had booked them two separate rooms. He had to focus on why he was here and get this attraction to Dru out of his mind.
At least for the time being.
Maybe when they got back to Australia, they could become friends. Maybe it was time he opened himself up to people again. They descended a level and found the rental car with little trouble. As he opened the boot to stow their bags, Dru’s husky laugh reached him.
‘What’s up?’
‘I feel like a tourist.’ She looked at him
across the top of the car. ‘Since you saved my butt, all we’ve done is stay in hotel rooms and ride in rental cars.’
‘Shame it’s not a real holiday,’ he said. ‘Have you been to Belgium before?’
This time her laugh was loud and a couple of people walking past to another car looked over.
‘Belgium? Mate, I haven’t been to Europe before. Dubai was it. I was broke when I was at uni, and I’ve worked ever since.’ Dru’s voice sobered. ‘I guess I could have travelled with the payout from the Ain but I don’t know that I would have had the courage.’ Her choice dropped lower. ‘That experience did a fair number on my confidence.’
‘I can see that now, but you put on a pretty good show at Matsu. And not just at the poker table.’
She shrugged. ‘There’s a job to be done there and I can focus.’ Her lips tilted in a smile. ‘When I’m not planning to steal diamonds, of course.’
Connor opened the door and slid into the driver’s seat. He waited for Dru to get in before he answered. ‘You’re not going to forgive me for that for a long time, are you?’
‘A long time? How long have I got? How long are you going to be at Matsu?’
Connor shrugged as he looked for the ignition switch. ‘Until this case is sorted.’ He shook his head ruefully. ‘The way I’m going I could be there for a long time.’
‘You could become the real Safety Officer. You do a great job reading those policies.’ This time Dru’s smile was wide. Connor flicked her a glance and his lips tilted. Her sense of humour was making an appearance.
The trip from Brussels to Antwerp took less than an hour. Dru peered out the window most of the way; she almost had her nose glued to the glass. The snow had stopped falling and the road was wet with a grey sludge covering the edge.
‘I’ve always wanted to travel through Europe. Have you been before?’ she asked.
Connor nodded as he slowed down for the exit into Antwerp. ‘Several times.’