Pervade London

by Fewings, Vanessa

  James tipped up my chin. “Last chance to confess, Em, and then you get to see how much of a bastard I can be.”

  “Let me go,” I pleaded, staring at him wide-eyed.

  “The truth.”

  Swallowing hard, I tried to assess if their threat was real. “The inspector didn’t believe me.”

  James gave the lever a nudge and my arms were pulled taut and my legs stretched uncomfortably.

  “Did you call her back?” asked James.

  “No.”

  “Sure?” he pushed the lever farther.

  “No doubt you’ve monitored my phone records,” I said. “You already know I didn’t.” My body was wrung out with the pressure of being pulled too taut.

  “Have a think about what you remember.” James rose up and grabbed his jacket. “Xavier, after you.”

  “She’s telling the truth,” snapped Xavier.

  “Don’t leave me,” I begged.

  Xavier flinched. “I’m not leaving her.”

  James shook his head. “We need to talk.”

  “We’ll talk later,” said Xavier

  James’ jaw twitched. “They shot the Puma out of the sky.”

  “You were meant to be on that flight.” Xavier looked horrified.

  “So were you.”

  “Was Samuel on that helicopter?”

  Ballad’s nod came with a flash of sadness across his face.

  It was as though I wasn’t here as they dealt with their unspoken grief for the man they’d sent in James’ place.

  “No one knew about the flight,” whispered Xavier.

  “Someone knew,” said Ballad, and he glanced at me.

  “She wasn’t out of my sight.”

  James gestured to the door, indicating Xavier was to leave with him. “Let’s give her adequate time to think about her future…and how she’d like it to play out.”

  “Ten seconds,” said Xavier. “That’s all I need. Then I’ll be out.”

  James gave a nod and headed for the door. “I’ll be outside.”

  With James gone, Xavier hurried over to me and his mouth crashed against mine. He was stopping me from speaking, worried that Ballad would overhear.

  His kiss was firm and passionate, his tongue lashing mine. His affection soothed me in this dark, foreboding place. His touch at my wrist made me jolt until I felt him loosening my binding.

  When he made it to the door, he glanced back with a look that told me this was it—my last chance to escape.

  The door slammed and I heard the sound of a key turning. They’d locked me in.

  I tried to ignore the rusted shackles on the walls. That cage for a human. A cupboard-like structure that looked like a person would be shoved inside. My jaw tightened as my secret burrowed deeper.

  I worked my way out of the binding and with a free hand was able to get my left wrist undone, too, and then the rope at my feet. With shaky legs, I pushed off the rack and hurried to the door. Despite the echo of a key turning, I managed to pull the rusty door open. Xavier had rigged my escape.

  There was no time to explore.

  Hurrying along the hallway and up the winding staircase, I made it to the vast foyer and sprinted to the front door.

  It was locked.

  I’d find another way.

  Voices carried…theirs.

  No, I couldn’t do it…couldn’t leave Xavier behind. If I could just get his attention, I might be able to draw him away from James.

  Tiptoeing down the hallway, I closed in on what sounded like an argument. Pressing my ear against the door, I tried to make out their conversation.

  They were talking about a land to air missile. It had taken down that helicopter.My heart skipped a beat at their anger revealing someone had attempted to assassinate James. Or even Xavier. My being at that military base had prevented their trip. Xavier was making this his argument to prove my innocence. Telling James he should set me free.

  The door flew open. I staggered back.

  James jolted to a stop when he saw me.

  Shit.

  I bolted down the hallway to escape him and heard his footsteps behind me fast approaching…

  Sprinting around the corner, I skidded precariously on the floor, hitting the wall with outstretched hands. My focus snapped up to the jousting stick fixed on two hooks, and I eased the long wooden pole down as it wobbled dangerously.

  Heaving it under my arm to balance the thing, I gripped it to still its teetering and readied it to point at Ballad.

  Come and get it, fucker.

  James rushed around the corner and closed in on me.

  His hand knocked away the tip of the joust as he skidded past, swearing as he dodged it.

  Xavier followed fast at a blur, unable to slow down in time to stop. I watched in horror as the point of the joust struck his abdomen. A huff of pain escaped his lips and he doubled over, collapsing to the stone tiles while clutching his belly.

  The joust fell from my grip with a loud clang.

  James slumped to his knees beside him and reached for his shirt. “Let me see!”

  Xavier went still.

  A scream tore out of me as I hurried to my fiancé’s side.

  I scrutinized his body, trying to see the severity of the wound, vaguely aware of James’ angry glare on me. The one I deserved, the one that told me I would regret this for the rest of my life.

  “Please, no,” I sobbed.

  “What were you thinking?” yelled James.

  Xavier opened an eye and laughed, rolling onto his back and pulling me down on top of him. “That hurt.”

  I let out a howl of relief and pressed my cheek to his chest. “I’m so sorry.”

  Xavier rubbed his stomach. “I’m okay.”

  James sprang to his feet and grabbed me by the back of my shirt, hauling me off of Xavier with momentum and dragging me alongside him down the hallway. My legs were almost off the ground as he forced me to run at his pace.

  “James,” Xavier called after him. “I’m fine.”

  “Not the point,” James growled.

  “It’s kind of funny,” Xavier said, hurrying after us.

  “There’s nothing funny about it.” James kicked a door and it flew open.

  He dragged me into a grand dining room with a long table surrounded by high-back chairs. The decades in here were as preserved as this man’s fury.

  He lifted me up and thrust me down forcefully on my back. Searing agony shot down my spine as I landed wrong, my legs dangling off the edge. My body shuddered under the fierce pressure he exerted when I tried to rise.

  It happened fast—James left my side for a beat and then quickly returned with a sword. I heard the grate of metal against metal as he unsheathed the weapon and brought the silver edge to rest at my throat.

  I froze, the blood draining from my face.

  My flesh chilled with terror. One slice through my neck…

  James gripped the hilt with white knuckles. “Want to play, little girl?”

  Xavier raised his hands to caution him. “Don’t.”

  The sword’s edge pressed deeper into my neck and I tried to swallow as the cold metal dug into my skin.

  “James, you promised you wouldn’t,” said Xavier.

  “She could have killed you.”

  Xavier stepped closer. “Put it down.”

  “This is not a game, Ms. Rampling,” James seethed. “This is life or death and I’m done playing nice. This is where your privilege ends.”

  “I’m sorry,” I managed.

  James pressed harder.

  Rage filled every cell of my body as my hate soared for this man. “Kiss me first.” I held his gaze triumphantly.

  James shot a frustrated look at Xavier.

  Xavier gave a shrug.

  James studied me for a few moments. Then he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine, not lifting the sword but keeping it there as an ever-present threat. His tongue was a savage, forceful persuader, battling mine. I found his k
iss different than Xavier’s—it was arrogant and controlling, and full of rage. It stung my cut deliciously in an arousing, terrible way.

  He pulled back. “Time’s up.”

  I pressed my lips together to soften the burn and soothe the cut. “I’ve already told you the truth.”

  James wore an incredulous expression as he stared down at me.

  Then he rested the sword on the table and his hand moved to my chest to hold me still. “Speak.”

  “There’s nothing to say.” I pleaded with my eyes.

  James stepped back and stood straight. “Look behind you.”

  Warily, I glanced at Xavier and then followed his line of sight, turning my head to see a violin resting on a corner cabinet—my Stradivarius.

  I sprang up, but James moved too swiftly, making it down the side of the table before me and reaching for my violin. He held it by the neck, lifting it above his head so I couldn’t grab it from him.

  “Give it to me.” I leaped for it.

  “There’s about to be one less Strad in the world.”

  I struggled to reach it. “Xander, you gave it to me. It’s mine. Tell him.”

  “His name’s Xavier,” said James dryly.

  My efforts were futile against his towering height. “Please.”

  “How much is this thing worth?” James looked thoughtful. “Couple of million?”

  “You wouldn’t.” Drenched in terror, I froze before him.

  James admired it. “Not to mention the craftsmanship.”

  Sweat snaked down my spine. “James, please, I’ll do anything!”

  He closed his eyes in fake appreciation. “The music this instrument makes is like no other.”

  “No, don’t.”

  James grasped the neck with both hands and swung it toward the wall.

  I inhaled sharply at the sight of my beloved instrument being flung toward the stone at lightning speed, stopping just short of obliteration.

  “She said she believed me.” I drew in a deep breath. “The inspector told me to get her evidence. She’d seen something like this before—people disappearing from cameras. She said you were untouchable without it.”

  James held the violin poised an inch from the wall. “That it?”

  “Yes, I promise.” I reached out for the violin.

  James handed it to me.

  I stepped back with the instrument clutched to my chest like it was a lifeline, my heart still hammering and my flesh clammy.

  James smiled pleasantly. “I’m going to make dinner. Come with me. I need to keep an eye on you.”

  You can piss off.

  “That’s an order,” he said.

  Falling against Xavier’s chest with my violin pressed between us, I tried to catch my breath.

  “It’s over.” Xavier pried the violin from my hands. “Em, let me put it somewhere safe.” He took it from me and placed it in its case.

  “You broke into my hotel room and stole it?” I asked James.

  “You mean the room I’m paying for,” he snapped.

  I went over to the violin case and rested my hands on it protectively.

  “Em told you what you wanted to know.” Xavier glared at him. “Now we can all relax.”

  James straightened. “We’ll have dinner and then decide what happens next.”

  “Seriously,” snapped Xavier. “A little more reassurance, please. And if you ever threaten her like that again…”

  “She’s conspiring with outside forces,” said Ballad.

  “You mean the police?” I said furiously.

  “I lost a man tonight,” said James.

  “I know,” soothed Xavier. “I’m sorry.”

  “It could have been you.” James tugged on his left sleeve and then his right to straighten his pristine white shirt.

  I stared at the sword resting on the table, a reminder of just how fucked in the head Ballad was.

  James saw me looking at it and walked over and picked it up. After sheathing the weapon, he carried it over to the wall and hung it back up.

  “I want to go home,” I said.

  James mulled over it. “It’s on the agenda. But I could change my mind.”

  I hugged myself, trying to warm my chilled flesh. “I want Xavier to take me.”

  James gave a shrug. “I’ll consider it.”

  I looked up at Xavier. “How’s your tummy?”

  “Fine.” He hoisted his white shirt out of his trousers to show me.There was a faint mark on his toned abs.

  Feeling guilty, I reached out and caressed the contusion. “I’m so sorry. It was meant for James.”

  Xavier cringed. “Not a good thing to admit.”

  James scoffed at my admission.

  “I’m going to check on something,” said Xavier. “I’ll be right back.”

  I hated seeing him walk away, leaving me alone with this man. “Can I come?”

  He offered me an apologetic look. “Go with James.”

  Reluctantly, I followed James back to the kitchen, wary of the man who’d almost destroyed my violin and sliced open my throat with a sword.

  At least Xavier was coming around. Our escape was thwarted this time, but we’d get another chance.

  While I cleared the island of the unused eggs and milk, Ballad set about uncorking a bottle of red wine and filled three glasses. Xavier’s drink was going to be waiting for him when he came back, which reassured me that he’d be joining us soon.

  “Where did he go?” I asked.

  James lifted his wine glass and sipped. “I taste berries. How about you?”

  Poison, probably.

  I took a sip. “Grapes.”

  He faked a horrified expression. “Heathen.”

  James fitted the mold of a man who would like fine wines and all the other luxuries that went along with high-brow living. I imagined him attracting the cold, beautiful types.

  “Are you a Lord?” I asked.

  He looked up from his glass. “Earl.”

  I needed to learn as much as I could about this man so I could find him again if I wanted to. He was my way back to Xavier if we were ever separated again.

  Sitting at the kitchen table with my fingernails digging into my palms to center me, I watched James chop vegetables, peel potatoes, and prepare other dishes with the confidence of someone who loved to entertain. He made this look like I was a guest he’d invited over for dinner.

  The two men had secrets between them…a history and a shared love. I had to find out what I was up against and make him think my defenses were down.

  I tried to make conversation. “How long have you known Xavier?”

  His smile was filled with the warmth of pleasant memories. “A long time.”

  “He told me you met in the Army. You were stationed together?”

  James looked up. “We weren’t stationed together.”

  “Oh?”

  “No, I was in the same vicinity as him at some point during a mission.”

  “So vague.” I leaned back. “Why are you smiling?”

  “Because you’re fishing for clues about me and it’s endearing.”

  My shoulders slumped in frustration. “Why are you so secretive?”

  “My past reflects my future.”

  “How so?”

  “How’s your wine?”

  I took another sip. “Mysterious.”

  His lips quirked in amusement as he picked up the wine bottle and came over to me.

  “I get sleepy if I have too much.”

  “Well, we don’t want that.”

  Peering up at him I said, “I know about you and Xavier.”

  James filled my glass and then topped up his own. “What do you know?”

  My suggestive look told him.

  He set the bottle down and leaned over to kiss the top of my head. “He’s in love with you.”

  I felt an odd flutter in my stomach as his provocative cologne wafted towards me, and forbidden thoughts ran through my mind once more
. My breath stuttered as though he’d done more than just kiss me. And then I recognized the scent he was wearing—it was the same one that Xavier had once worn.

  Knowing that they’d shared the same cologne brought on more feelings of uncertainty. Even when he’d been far away from this man, a part of James had remained in Xavier’s thoughts.

  I watched Ballad walk back over to the kitchen counter.

  I wish he wasn’t so damn… What was the word? Enigmatic.

  He exuded a seductive aura that seeped beneath my skin and made it tingle. Somehow, some way those sensations made their way down between my thighs.

  “What are you thinking?” He interrupted my daydreaming.

  I swallowed hard. “Are you going to let us continue to see each other?”

  When he hesitated, my lips quivered with the thought I was about to lose Xavier all over again.

  “Do you forgive him?” he asked softly.

  “For leaving me and going back to you?”

  “For answering the call to serve his country.” He raised his glass in a toast. “This time as a civilian.”

  “You make it sound so noble.”

  “It is.”

  I sighed. “Thank you for letting me go back to my life.”

  “You may take your place in the orchestra. You worked hard to get there. You deserve all the success you have coming your way.”

  How nice of him, I thought, managing to avoid an eye roll. “I need to make the final round.”

  “You will.”

  “And find a place to live.”

  He wiped his hands on a cloth and threw it on the counter. “We can help.”

  “No, thank you.”

  “Why not?”

  I nibbled on my bottom lip. “I want to make my own way.”

  “Listen, Emily, a love life is incompatible with what we do.”

  “It worked for you.”

  “Until it didn’t.”

  “You admit it?”

  He scratched his neck as though mulling it over. “Xavier shouldn’t have shared that with you.”

  “I kind of guessed.”

  “We put ourselves last and the work first. Just as it should be.”

  “Do you love him?”

  James grabbed his jacket off the back of a chair and for a second I thought he was going to leave. Instead, he brought it over and wrapped it around my shoulders. “Castles are cold, drafty places,” he said softly.