Risking It All: London Calling Book Three (30 page)

Angeline walked straight into Dominic’s arms, hugging him hard. Sebastian felt acutely disconnected. Despite the fact he preferred isolation, their obvious friendship made him feel uncomfortable, like he was missing out on something. He crossed to the breakfast nook and sat down, wincing as he bumped his knee against the table leg.

Angeline handed Dominic the cup of coffee she’d prepared. The other man lightly bussed her cheek then joined Sebastian. Sitting down, Dominic eyed him with ill-concealed humor.

“Sitting there, you look like a ten-pound ham stuffed in a five-pound sack.” Dominic chuckled outright.
 

Sebastian thrummed his fingers on the table, refusing to dignify Dominic’s colloquial joke. He was a large man, but without an ounce of flesh to spare. He looked Martin over, gauging the other man’s fitness levels against his own. He’d love to get him onto the mat for a sparring match.

Dominic turned to Angeline. “So what brings me here today?”

Angeline brought over a small basket filled with croissants. She and Dominic selected two filled with batons of dark chocolate. Sebastian deferred.
 

Smirking, Dominic tore a piece of the flaky pastry and held it out. “Live a little, Payne.”

Sebastian ignored him and reached instead for a plain butter croissant.

“Thank you, Angeline.”

Her eyes swiveled from him to Dominic. “I hope I live long enough to see the day when you two actually realize you are on the same side.”
 

He and Martin continued to measure each other over coffees and pastries.
 

“But I guess today will not be that day.” She sighed before pushing away her half-eaten breakfast. “Let’s get to it then. Sebastian, I think your plans are unwise.”

Sebastian breathed deeply. His suspicions for the reason for this impromptu meeting were correct. “I knew you would feel that way, which is why I’ve kept them to myself.”

Dominic dabbed his mouth with a linen napkin. “Anyone want to fill me in on what’s going on? I thought we agreed to transparency.”

“We did, but Sebastian also has an overdeveloped sense of protectiveness.” Angeline looked directly at him. “But he underestimated my resourcefulness when it comes to keeping tabs on you two. And I didn’t like what I found.”

Sebastian met her gaze and shrugged. “Fine. Natalie and I are working to set up a private event for some Russian businessmen. From my previous travels to Moscow, I believe they could be of significant importance. Not all of them are dirty, but a few are definitely involved in the pornography industry. It’s my belief some are trafficking and prostituting children.” He paused, rotating his neck to release the tension. “If we can, I’d like to entice them to London for a poker competition. During that time, I would ingratiate myself with the guests and optimally infiltrate the criminal group.”

“Why would they come to London to gamble? Why not stay in Moscow or wherever they’re from in Russia?” Dominic lounged back in his chair, arms crossed.

“Because Russia has essentially criminalized gambling since 2007. It’s still rampant, but becoming too risky for the individuals we’re targeting. They rely on favors and bribes with government officials. The last thing they want is to blow those connections because they want to roll a dice now and then. In the past two years, we’ve seen a higher influx of Russian membership in Club Hobart.”

Dominic leaned forward, any semblance of relaxation gone. “I don’t like this, Payne. You assured me Nat was safe.”

Sebastian also leaned in, his bulk making the breakfast table and dishes look child size. “She is safe. She’ll only be in charge of setting up the event and inviting the right guests.”

“Who happen to be child sex traffickers. Great, Payne.” Dominic ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it. “You and I have very different ideas about safety.”

Angeline stood, effectively seizing the attention of both men. She silently and efficiently stacked their dishes and cutlery before removing them to the kitchen. She turned and braced her hands against the counter, facing both men across the room from her.
 

“Dom, I agree.” She gave Sebastian her full attention. “I can’t condone this plan. Putting aside my immediate concerns for your safety—along with Natalie’s—it’s just a bad idea. We agreed long ago that we would not bring people to our front door, so to speak. I’ve kept silent as we’ve pushed that rule to its limit, most especially with the Club. You were right when you said it would bring the sort of people we’re after along with substantial revenues to help fund us.
 

But intentionally and deliberately inviting known suspects is a different matter entirely. It’s too dangerous. Too risky for all of us,” she swept her hand to include the three of them, “as well the innocent bystanders involved.” She walked back to the table, and both men rose in deference. Pressing her hands flat on the tabletop, she faced Sebastian. “You must stop. And shame on you for trying to do this behind our backs.”
 

She sat. Sebastian made his way back into his chair, as did Martin. Sebastian thought he saw a glimmer of quiet camaraderie in Dominic’s eyes.
 

Dominic cleared his throat. “May I make a suggestion?”

Angeline frowned, and a small crease manifested between her eyebrows.
 

Sebastian took her momentary silence for himself. “Go ahead.”

“As always, Ms. Angeline, you’re cool as a cucumber. But even though I’m the most recent inductee in this club of yours, I can tell that tempers are running a little high.” He smiled, and Sebastian noted that Angeline instinctively smiled back.
 

Martin used charm like a weapon.
 

“What do you suggest, Dominic?” Sebastian switched to a first name basis with Martin. The other man might be his only ally in the room.
 

Dominic grinned. “Take a breather. Think about it. Figure out if there’s another way to accomplish the same goal.” His brows lowered, and he fixed Sebastian with a level look. “Especially one that doesn’t endanger Natalie.”

Sebastian cocked his head to the side, thinking. Maybe he could come up with a different plan. He could admit his thirst to pursue and punish predators might have made him overlook some of the choices. “I’m willing to do that.” He swung his gaze from Dominic back to Angeline. “If you’ll both do the same.”

Angeline opened her mouth, but before she could utter any words, Dominic interrupted. “Deal.” He rose, scooting his chair back under the table. “And Payne, I’ve got just the place for you to cool your heels.”

Suspicious, Sebastian stood as well, arms crossed and legs braced wide. “Where’s that?”

“Chicago. You need to get away from all this for a bit. You’re too close to see how intense you are.” He smirked, obviously uncaring that Sebastian was glowering at him. “You can go see Moneypenny, patch things up.”

“Hell. No.”

“Hell,
yes
. You created a mess there, and you need to clean it up.” All signs of humor were wiped away.
 

“What do you mean?” Sebastian shifted, uncomfortable. “The last time I went to
patch things up
I got a face full of pepper spray for my trouble.”

Angeline gasped, watching as both men traded shots like a tennis match.

Dominic laughed, making Sebastian wish he could punch him. “Yeah, I know. Made my whole week, I can tell you.” He sobered. “But she’s worse than ever. She won’t leave the house. Won’t allow visitors except her parents.”

“Not even you?” This from Angeline.
 

“No. She makes excuses, but I know it’s anxiety. And I was just making progress with her. I got her all the way to the UK.” He pointed a finger at Sebastian’s face. “You helped break her. So you can get back over there and help fix her.”

“How the hell do you suggest I do that?” Sebastian was genuinely distressed to hear Madeleine had regressed into further isolation.

“You’re a big boy.” Dominic flicked Sebastian’s chest. “Figure it out. Unless you don’t think you can handle her? Again?”

“Do me a favor, Martin—stop talking. I’ll go visit your damn assistant.” He nodded tightly then immediately contradicted himself. “Will you at least call and warn her I’m coming?”

Dominic slowly shook his head. “Nope. I don’t want any attachment to this, in case you mess it up again. I don’t want to lose my assistant.”

Sebastian opened his mouth to verbally flay the other man then stopped short, knowing it would be useless. Instead, he strode out of the room, impatient to be alone.
 

He would go to Chicago, all right. He just hoped she didn’t have any more tricks to knock him flat on his back again.

***

Sebastian strolled down the busy Chicago sidewalk, dodging commuters, dog walkers, and puddles. The rain had finally stopped, but benches and tree leaves still hung with water drops that collected before dropping themselves on passersby. Even the air was damp. He breathed deeply, clearing his lungs and mind for what was to come.

Madeleine Price hated his guts. She’d made that abundantly clear during their last encounter when she’d shot him with pepper spray. His eyes watered just remembering it. Even worse, in the months since, there had been nary a word from her, let alone an explanation or apology.

Sebastian increased his pace. She was a rude, impossible woman, and he had no idea why he was trying to help her. She’d damn near blinded him. Yes, he’d scared her a little when she came to Jersey. But if she’d bothered to hear him out and listen, she’d have known it was a disastrous coincidence that he sent the same flowers her attacker had when he stalked her.
 

Sebastian never got a word in, just held out the shamrock plant he’d bought for her. She, in return, had felled him like a tree without so much as laying a finger on him. And then she’d taken the plant.
 

Unbelievable.

He had no idea how he’d ever thought her attractive. She was insane. Unconscionable. A menace to herself and others.

And yet he dreamed of her. Disjointed images of her fiery hair, pale freckled skin, and feline eyes were a welcome if surprising relief from his usual nightmares.
 

He checked his phone and realized he was just outside her building. He slowed to a halt, not sure how he was going to get an audience with her when she barricaded herself upstairs like a cloistered recluse. He still couldn’t understand how she’d gone from one of the most public, recognized faces of the last decade to this. And if he were honest, he knew that any responsibility he might bear for her state was unacceptable. He
would
fix this.

He peered inside the lobby only to see the same doorman from his last visit. He swallowed a curse.
 

Pacing in front of the building entrance, Sebastian almost ran into the man that came barreling down the sidewalk. Head down beneath a tattered umbrella, he was mumbling and panting a little, as if out of breath. He wore a dark overcoat that seemed unseasonable and warm.
 

Sebastian reached out a hand to steady him after they nearly collided. “Steady there.”

The man reeled back. “Don’t touch me!”

“Okay. It’s okay.” Sebastian held out his hands, palm outward. Something about the man bothered Sebastian. No matter, though, he had his own problems to work through. He stepped backward, moving away. “But you can take down your umbrella. The rain has stopped.” He was about to turn back to the building entrance when the man’s gaze snapped upward, locking onto Sebastian’s.
 

His eyes were brown, bloodshot, and deeply set. For the first time Sebastian noticed his shoes and pants. They were nice, like something a professional would wear. Obviously, Sebastian was wrong to be worried. It was just another harried businessman—distracted and probably trying to be in two places at once.

An older couple approached, heading for the building entrance. With a brisk nod to the other man, Sebastian stepped around him to open the door. The couple smiled broadly, murmuring their thanks.
 

“What a filthy day,” the woman remarked, albeit laughingly. “Madeleine better appreciate the fact we went out in this mess.”

Sebastian’s ears immediately perked up. Tilting his head, he stepped forward, closing some of the distance between them.
 

“She does,” the man’s voice was cheerful. Sebastian noticed he walked with a slight but distinct limp. “Besides, she’s our daughter, and you know you’d do anything for her.”

Sebastian saw his opportunity. He cleared his throat, approaching them before they reached the dreaded concierge who would most certainly recognize him and blow his chances of seeing Madeleine Price straight to hell.
 

“Excuse me.” They both turned, expectant. “Did you say you were visiting Madeleine? Madeleine Price?”

There was a brief hesitation and a loaded glance between the obviously married couple. The woman was the first to speak. “Yes, we are. Do you know our Maddy?”

Sebastian guessed the woman to be in her mid to late fifties. He could tell her hair, though faded and slightly graying, had once been a magnificent shade of red.
 

Like her daughter’s.

Sebastian matched their warm smiles, doing his best to exude friendliness. It must have worked, because both faces lit up in amicable acceptance.
 

“I do know Madeleine,” he said, seizing on an idea. He held out his hand, shaking first her father’s then her mother’s. “I’m Sebastian. I made Madeleine’s acquaintance during her recent trip to Jersey. She told me to look her up if I was ever in her neighborhood. I’m hoping to surprise her.” He smiled through the lie, secretly wondering what the hell got into him when he was within a mile of the woman upstairs.
 

He could only gamble on the hope Madeleine wouldn’t make a scene in front of her parents.
 

The pair in question now looked positively thrilled to see him. Again, the mother spoke first. “Oh, she did? Well that’s so nice!” She dropped her voice. “Maddy rarely invites people to visit, you know.”