by Nana Malone
“So you’re making it all better for me.”
“I know it’s probably freaking you out seeing the boxes. But I wouldn’t just do that to you. I know how important it is to you to have some say in the agenda. I just wanted to get a jumpstart because I want to keep you safe.”
I shook my head. “Why are you like this? Why are you so damn—sweet? It makes it really hard to stay angry with you.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m the one who gets hard.”
I threw my hands up. “Oh my God. I was having a moment.”
He chuckled low. “I’m sorry. Go ahead.”
I folded my arms and refused to talk.
With a grin, he took my hand. “I’m sorry. Go ahead.”
With a sigh, I said, “It makes it hard to hate you.”
“You never hated me,” he said with finality.
“Yes, I did. When you moved in across the corridor, I hated you.”
He grinned. “And then I charmed you with my really big… smile.”
I couldn’t help a giggle. “Yes, it was your smile that did it entirely.”
He nodded solemnly. “Yup, I knew it. I should show everyone my… smile. I’d probably get away with a lot more.”
“Eeww. No, I’m pretty sure you’d get arrested.”
“Yeah, good point there.” His smile faltered a little. “So, are you good with me continuing to pack? Because I’d like us to get you packed up and moved to London Lords as soon as we can.”
I nodded. “Here, I’ll help.” And while I was potentially closing out a chapter of my life, I was okay with that. After Evan had shown up at the flat twice, I knew I couldn’t stay there anymore. Even if I had to get my own flat somewhere else in London, it was fine, because staying there was certainly not an option anymore. But somehow, instead of feeling worried, I felt hopeful because Roone was with me.
19
Jessa
Roone stood watch like a guard dog. With his unflinching, soldier's stare. There was something really hot and also really foreboding about it. Tight rigid jaw, intensely focused eyes. He was glaring at the Detective Inspector like he wanted rip him a new one.
But DI Spencer didn't seem to notice. "Miss McLean, thanks for meeting with me again. This is my associate, Detective Inspector James. I just wanted to touch base with you on Toby Adamson."
"Yes. Did you find out who hurt him?"
He shook his head. "Right now, the leads have dried up. But, it looks like all evidence points to Toby Adamson having stalked you. We've even got a witness who says they saw Adamson outside your apartment two nights in a row before you were burgled.”
My gaze shifted to Roone. Was this true? Wouldn't he and Ariel's team have seen it?
"Is that so?”
“Yes. But the good news is now you'll be safe. No more stalking, no more incidents."
"No more incidents. How about if I don't think it was Toby at all? Why haven't you looked at anyone else? Because it just makes no sense that it was Toby. Maybe the person who killed him was stalking me. Maybe they are responsible for trying to grab me outside the gala."
He flattened his lips, making him look older and more haggard. "And that we are looking into. But as far as who broke into your flat, that was Adamson. And as far as who tried to assault you outside the gala, we suspect that was him as well. A trickle of blood found about a hundred meters from the scene matched to him. We almost missed it."
Blood? God, was I wrong? I knew it wasn't Toby who attacked me. At the same time, I couldn't prove it. And it was all about what you could prove. Not a gut feeling.
"I just—I don't believe it."
"Right. These things are usually difficult to comprehend. But if you know of anyone who might have wanted to hurt him, now is the time to speak up. Now is the time to say something."
"I don't know anything." Not anything I could prove anyway. But after what Roone and Ariel had told me about Evan, I wanted to scream from the rooftops that it was him. He was the one with the erratic behavior and the stalking tendencies. But I had no proof. "I don't know. But you know, he didn't get along very well with our bosses, so you might ask them if they knew of any reason why someone wouldn't like Toby."
He wrote it down and nodded. "You didn't mention that before."
"Well, you just asked. Last time I was so shocked it didn’t even occur to me, so I'm amending my statement.” I didn’t want to outright accuse Evan, but maybe I could get Detective Inspector Spencer to look at him.
"I recognize that you believe he was a friend of yours. In many of these cases that's how it goes. You want to properly vet everyone you bring into your life." He slid a glance at Roone and glowered. "Even if someone seems like they're good for you, they might not be."
I cleared my throat and stood. It was terribly rude. The inspectors hadn't even finished their tea. But I didn't want to hear any more of this. There was no love lost between me and Toby, but no one seemed interested in properly figuring out what had happened to him. Spencer wanted a nice neat clean line, ends he could wrap up. If I pointed at Evan, he wouldn't be able to do that. Not that I didn't think he was good at his job. I didn't know. But so far, they hadn't even looked at Evan. And I had a feeling Evan had planted that evidence against Toby.
But good luck proving that.
"Thank you for coming, Inspectors. If you learn anything else, please let me know."
The DI Spencer’s gaze narrowed at me as if he couldn't believe that I'd dismissed them. Well, let him put that in his pipe and smoke it. "Of course. Thank you so much."
Roone was all too happy to show them to the door. When he returned, I asked, "Are they ever going to look for the person who killed him?"
He shrugged. "Possibly, but they would need a reason. Millston is smart. Anything he took from here, he planted at Toby's, so it made Toby look like the stalker. The good news is you and I both know what he's doing. You won't be unprotected. He's not going to get his wish."
"So what is his wish? I just wish that I knew what these guys wanted."
"Well, in the case of Evan Millston, he wants you. You are the prize. He wants you to look up at him as more than just a mentor. Thus far you haven't. It's extremely frustrating for him. And as for Adamson, he was just a poor dumb kid that got caught in the crossfire. Millston wants to own your essence, something you're not letting him do. I promise you, I will help you take care of this."
It wasn't much in the way of comfort. But it was all I had. I knew Roone wasn't going to let anything happen to me. He opened his arms, and I stepped in.
Happily taking the comfort I knew would sooth me.
Jessa
“Come on, tonight we drink.”
Ariel and Chloe had dragged me to the top of the roof bar at the London Lords Soho location. While I was technically on lockdown, it didn’t mean we couldn’t at least enjoy a girl’s night.
Chloe whistled as she took in the ambiance of the rooftop, the plush seats, the gorgeous, spectacular view of London, the strategic placement of heat lamps so that even though it was a brisk spring evening, it felt like a balmy summer day, save the occasional chilly wind that drafted through.
“Honestly, I’m fine. I don’t need cheering up.”
Chloe rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding me? You’ve been timid. Jumpy. Questioning yourself. Questioning decisions. Don’t let Evan do this to you.”
“Please, can we not say his name?”
A pretty brunette with a sweet smile, wearing the bar uniform of all black approached our table. “Hiya, I’m Paulette. I’ll be your server tonight. What can I get started for you?”
Ariel gave me a smile and squeezed my hand. “My friend here has a shit boss. The only way to fix it is with shots of Patrone.”
Paulette gave me a wink. “I have just what you need, love. I’ll be right back.”
I rolled my eyes. “The last think I need is shots. ”I’m so sorry he’s been such a turd. If it makes you feel better, it’s not just you. He tried a
gain to force my hand and get my database. I told Rick that if he didn’t stop I was pulling my account, which obviously I don’t want to do because I think you’re the best person for the account.” I read between the lines. She couldn’t say that she needed to be on my detail in front of Chloe.
“I need to get a new job.” Just the thought depressed me.
“Well,” Ariel lifted her brows, “I know London Lords would hire you in a second. I also know Ben Covington wants to sleep with you.”
Chloe coughed. “Oh my God, you can put me in as tribute. I will ride him until the dawn breaks. Oh my God, and East Hale. I only had a brief glimpse of Bridge, but from the back, I can tell he’s delicious.”
I snorted a laugh. “Oh my God, Chloe, what happened to Thomas, or Tom, or whatever his name was?”
“He’s there. And actually, things are pretty good. He’s sweet and he grounds me. But that doesn’t mean I can’t ogle the merchandise.”
“Ugh, you’re like that woman that goes after what she wants, but she just wants to fondle every piece of jewelry in the store.”
Chloe giggled. “Yes, sign me up for fondling.”
Ariel snorted. “Oh my God!”
A round of shots came. We clinked the glasses of tequila per Chloe’s request, and I knew it was going to be a long night. Ariel raised hers. “To my new friends, even though I need to leave tomorrow for a little trip, I shall be back, and I just want to say, thank you guys for making me feel like I have a little slice of home away from home.”
Chloe grinned. “I’ll drink to that.”
Considering Chloe didn’t know exactly what Ariel meant, her eagerness to drink was comical. But I knew, and I raised my glass in return. “Cheers.”
The shot went down smoother than I expected, and I glared down into the glass. “Oh my God, I think these are dangerous.”
Ariel just laughed. “Well, we’re only going to be having two. Technically, I have to get up for an early flight in the morning, so… not too many drinks for me.”
Chloe groaned. “Oh my God, you’re such a spoilsport. Where are you going anyway?”
“It’s a business thing. An investor in Barcelona I have to go and check on. Make sure the money came from the right place.”
I knew something was happening in Barcelona, but it certainly wasn’t an investor, so what the hell was going on? Of course, I wanted to ask all the questions, but I couldn’t because Chloe wasn’t in the know. She wasn’t a member of Team Winston Isles.
But you are.
I couldn’t help the giddy rush at the idea of being part of a team. I’d never really had that before. But now that I did, I enjoyed it. It felt good to not just be on my own. I wasn’t a lone wolf. I had backup.
“Well, you are the best girl boss, so I hope Barcelona turns out how you hope.”
Ariel clinked glasses with me, and then Chloe called for our next round. “Me too.”
Chloe downed hers quickly and set her glass down. “So, are you going to ask the question Ariel, or should I?”
My gaze darted between the two of them. “What question?”
Ariel giggled. “Well, what the hell is happening with Roone?”
“Oh that.”
The truth was I had no idea how to answer that. Me having a nightmare had become a habit, as had his sleeping with me. All we did was hold each other and sleep, but it had gotten to the point that he’d just started going to bed with me. That had happened two nights ago.
I’d brushed my teeth and climbed into bed. Roone had come in, brushed his teeth, taken off his shirt, changed into his pajama bottoms, and climbed into bed with me. I’d had the benefit of the bare-chested Roone in my bed, easily wrapped around me like he owned the joint.
And he clearly did. The suite we’d been given at the hotel had two bedrooms, a massive chef’s kitchen, a living space that looked over Soho and Piccadilly, but we usually ended up in the king-size bed together, half-naked, and unfortunately, doing nothing but sleeping.
It’s not like the guy knows you’ve forgiven him.
It wasn’t even so much about forgiveness as it was about me processing all that he was and all that I was. And truth be told, I had no idea how to bridge the topic with him. He seemed in no rush, which I was grateful for, but I was also beyond frustrated.
Every night when we went to bed, my pulse raced, and I throbbed between my thighs. I ached and willed him to touch me. I’d lay awake for a while in his arms. His breathing and his scent made me want to be touched, but I was too afraid to ask for it.
If you want it, ask for it.
But what if he said no again? What if he knew as well as I did that it was a bad idea, and that I was going to get hurt. What if he said that? What if he refused?
All the ‘what ifs’ in the world still didn’t change the fact that I wanted him or the fact that he knew it. I was only mildly comforted that as I slept wrapped in his arms, his body also responded to mine. Every morning, I woke up to the thick ridge of his erection pressed up against my ass. Every morning, he’d kiss my temple, roll away from me, and head straight for the shower, as if I hadn’t noticed the giant baseball bat in his pants. Oh yeah, I just ignored the anaconda wanting to come out and play because that was an easy thing to do.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I’m starting to process how I’m feeling about him.”
Chloe shook her head. She didn’t know the whole story, so what I told her was that he’d wanted to move things a lot faster than I had, instead of opening up because I couldn’t deal with her knowing the truth.
“I just don’t get it. He’s so good for you. He takes care of you. He won’t let Evan creep on you. What has Rick said about the whole Evan situation?”
“I mean, he gave me a pat answer and apologized if I felt uncomfortable. He said he would reassign me to other projects. I spoke to him because we have a relationship, but I should have just gone to HR, I think.”
“What happens if you no longer work for them?”
I met Ariel’s gaze levelly. “Nothing, I guess. I just feel like I’m quitting.”
“You’re not quitting love. They let you down. They’re supposed to take care of you, protect you, and they haven’t done their job, especially when the predator is the one in charge. The problem is he hasn’t done anything overt. Just enough to be creepy, but nothing obvious to anyone but you.”
“Well, there’s not a lot Rick can do, and all HR can do is have me reassigned, but London Lords is a big account that I don’t want to lose.”
“Oh honey, why do you want to stay again?” Ariel asked.
“Because when I joined the company, I really needed it. It felt like family. And obviously, Chloe works there.”
Chloe laughed. “Honey, I would quit in a heartbeat if you didn’t work there. I still need money from my father to pay my rent on my flat. Those guys pay me so little. Always have. My father was disappointed that I didn’t join the family business, so he tries to lure me with expensive vacations and paying my housing. Honestly, I’d rather just get a job that I really liked that pays decently. And at Evans, while the work is great, I really just stay because I never wanted to leave you in the lurch,” Chloe added.
“I guess you wanted that sense of family too.”
Ariel winked at me. “I think you’ve both already got that. You don’t need your jobs at Evans for it.”
Despite my mood, I smiled. “I think you have a point there.”
20
Roone
How many years had it been since I went to the Biltmore Club?
It was so long I had forgotten what it was like, the level of service, the way you’re treated if you’re accepted.
You’re a member of the club.
Tonight, I was Ben’s guest. So that meant from the moment I checked in at the door, I was Mr. Ainsley. Several of the staff members did a double take when they saw my name. It was to be expected, because like it or not, Reese and I looked a lot alike. And obviously, the name. The
staff was far too well trained to ever notice, to ever comment.
When I was led to Ben’s private booth in the back corner, my cousin stood and grinned. “Cousin.”
“Hey, mate.”
“Sit, sit. What do you want to drink?”
I nodded at his glass. “What are you drinking?”
“I like to keep it simple. Old school and old fashioned.”
“I’ll have one too.”
The server who appeared out of nowhere nodded politely and scuttled away.
“I forgot what this place was like.”
Ben laughed. “You know, I don’t actually even like it here that much, but I had an earlier meeting with Bridge and East. East fucking loves this place. I still don’t know why. I ‘d rather be at a pub, mate.”
I laughed. East was the one who tried the hardest to fit in, to comport to societal expectations. Bridge and Ben though, well… my cousin leaned toward not ever giving a fuck. And Bridge, it was always hard to read him. But he had a different code.
“That’s fine. I’m guessing the steak here is going to be incredible, and the drinks will be too.”
“That’s what I like to hear. I figured it might have been a while since you’ve let yourself relax, and all I need as repayment is double 0 status.”
I chuckled low. “You know I can’t do that.”
“Oh, come on mate. You’re a double 0 spy, why can’t I be one too?” He made a petulant face, causing me to laugh out loud.
He grinned as I covered my laugh with a cough. “Ah, there it is. It’s good to see you laughing, mate.”
“Yeah, you’re outrageous as usual.”
He shrugged. “Well, gotta play to our strengths. And how is the lovely Jessa McLean?”