A Matter of Trust: London Calling Book One (13 page)

It was the worst kind of misfortune for Devon and Bennett to be involved.
 

Dominic narrowed his eyes on hers. “You need to stop this right now. You know better than to get involved with someone who has that kind of power over you.” He leaned toward her, ignoring the headache starting to pound in his temple. At her continued silence, he said, “Are you hearing me, Devon?”

She was slowly shaking her head. Hugging herself, she said thickly, “It was like being flicked by lightning, Dominic, the day I met him.” She looked around the room, vacantly. “And I haven’t been the same since.” Meeting his eyes again, he was struck by the moisture glossing over the colorless gray. “I don’t think I ever will be,” she added.

Feeling slightly panicked at the certainty in her voice, he grabbed her hand. “No, Devvie. You’re just inexperienced, that’s all.”

She smiled faintly. “I thought so too. But it doesn’t seem to be going away.” She put her hand over his, squeezing lightly. “And maybe it
is
just a passing attraction. I’m certainly entitled to one. You’ve had your share. Dad’s even had his. Everyone has dated and been
normal
, at least in that way, except
me
.” She choked out a rusty laugh. “I’m being fanciful about him. I’d really just like to explore this. Have a little fun before it ends. God knows, it
will
end.”

Dominic paused. “Why do you say that?”

At her questioning look, he clarified. “Why do you say it
will
end? As if it must? You don’t know that.”

Her brows lowered, puzzled. She started to rise, then sat again, smiling a little lopsidedly. “Because it does. It would. You know that.” She looked at him in genuine confusion.

Dominic forgot about the plans, the project, and the need to discourage her from Bennett Sterling. He’d had no idea, even after all these years. Pulling her closer, he hugged her with one arm but she stared at the floor. “This is about your mother. Angeline.”

She stiffened, but didn’t pull away. After several long moments, she spoke. “Maybe. I don’t know, I don’t think about her. I don’t even remember her. She left when I was four. And you know she never looked back. Dad said she must not have been able to handle it. Us. So she left.” She stumbled to a halt.
 

He tugged a strand of her hair, as he’d been doing since she was five years old and he was seven. She looked up into his eyes.
 

“That doesn’t mean everyone leaves, Devvie. I would never leave you, little sister. And neither would your father. My parents stayed together until cancer
made
my mother leave. You just had the bad luck to get a mom that couldn’t stick. That’s on her. Don’t give up on everyone else.”
 

He tweaked her chin, then gave it a little pinch, just because of that earlier slap. “Have fun with your Bennett. Lightning doesn’t strike twice, you know.” He sent up a silent prayer that nothing serious would come of it.
 

The doorbell interrupted anything she might have said. She squeezed his waist, and then rose to go answer the door. “Thank you, Dom.”

He nodded, waiting until she was completely gone. With a heavy sigh, he leaned his head back against the couch, reassessing. Hearing the faint murmur of voices, he made a quick decision.
 

He walked into the kitchen to avoid anyone, checking the time on his watch. When he was content to hear Devon walking into the sitting room with her visitor, he pulled his cell phone from his back pocket. It would give him time to make his call.

After a couple of rings, his father, Patrick Martin, answered.
 

Dominic leaned a hip against the counter, frowning. “Dad? We might have a problem here.”

***

“It is a great and generous God that puts two beautiful women in the same room at the same exact time.” Dominic leaned in the doorway, holding a bottle of wine with two glasses.
 

Devon briefly closed her eyes then cast a silent signal of gratitude skyward. “Dominic,” she exclaimed. “I was wondering where you’d gone off to. Let me introduce Natalie Enfeld.” She gestured to her guest with a hand. “She’s Bennett’s PA and she’s here to pick up a few things for the office. Natalie, this is Dominic Martin, an old family friend.”
 

Natalie had shown up, unannounced, to get some files for Bennett. When asked why it couldn’t wait until Monday, or whether Devon could help at all, the woman had clammed up. Maybe Dominic could lighten the atmosphere.

He set the wine and glasses down on the coffee table before stepping forward to greet the petite blonde. Devon observed as Natalie hovered near the fireplace, shyly gawking.
 

Devon swallowed a laugh. Natalie Enfeld was speechless, staring at Dominic like a love-struck girl. It was easy for Devon to forget his initial impact on people, especially women. Pouring herself some Chardonnay, Devon settled into a seat to enjoy the show.

“Hello Natalie. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Dominic held out his hand in greeting. “May I pour you some wine?”
 

Taking his hand, Natalie stirred herself to answer. “Hello. Oh, no, please don’t let me interrupt! Well, I know I’m interrupting, but I’ll just be leaving so you two can get back to your evening.” She cast a meaningful glance between Devon and Dominic, clearly curious. “And I can see you only have two glasses, so, well—”
 

Dominic interjected. “Natalie, you’re not interrupting. Devon and I have plenty of time to catch up. Besides, she’s like my little sister. We’ll be on each other’s nerves within fifteen minutes.” He looked to Devon and she smiled in agreement.
 

“I’m sure we have another glass. I’m equally sure Dev would be happy to get it. Right Devvie?”
 

Devon was fascinated. Frankly, she’d never seen Natalie as anything less than perfectly composed, physically or verbally. Within minutes of meeting Dominic, she was rambling, mumbling a little, and nervously tugging her sweater hem. She looked positively relieved when Dominic pointed out that Devon was purely platonic, sister material.
 

“Yes.” Devon sprung up from the couch. “I’ll just be a moment, please excuse me.”

She hurried from the room, shaking with laughter. Returning with the extra glass, she was back in time to hear Natalie stammering a refusal to Dom’s persistent hospitality. She’d taken Devon’s seat on the couch.

“No, well, thank you, but I can’t.” Huffing out a deep breath, she startled when Devon set the additional glass on the table. “Oh I really must be going.” She scrambled to her feet, fumbling her cuff back to check her watch. “Oh, really. I… well. Bennett is expecting me. I’m only here to pick up this file.” She bent to pick up the discarded folder that Devon had given her earlier. “And now I have it. So, I’ll be going.” She turned, only to briefly tangle in the straps of her handbag, which was lying near her feet.
 

Dominic was up and behind her, steadying her with one arm braced at her waist. “Whoa there. Steady on, Natalie.”

Flustered, she said, “I need to go. Bennett is leaving town and he needs this file.”

Devon sobered, all humor extinguished. “Oh. And are you going with him?” She bit her lip, knowing Natalie might chew into her for asking questions. Or clam up as she had before.
 

Natalie turned to the other woman, looking slightly dazed, still standing with one of Dom’s hands pressed lightly to the small of her back. “No. Actually, he’s leaving on this trip alone and won’t be returning for at least a week. He’ll keep me aware of his movements as needed.”

Dominic chose that moment to lightly cup Natalie’s elbow, capturing her attention. Devon nodded, offering a two-finger salute behind the other woman’s back for his assistance.

“Well, let’s get you gathered up, then.” He picked up Natalie’s handbag, deftly slipping it onto her shoulder. Then he took the file, straightening its contents before handing it back, ordered and neat. He smiled down at her, genially.
 

A small line creased between Natalie’s brows as she looked her fill of Dominic. She began speaking again, as if someone had prompted her. “It’s not so unusual, really. Sometimes he’s known to take unexpected trips, on his own, just like this one. Occasionally a last minute detail pops up somewhere that he wants to take care of personally. Or he has a project in its infancy that needs his full focus and attention.”
 

Devon nodded, even though Natalie wasn’t watching her at all, she was in fact ogling Dominic. “Thank you. It’s nice of you to let me know what’s happening. And explain what’s normal.” Devon walked to the doorway, prompting Dominic to begin herding the other woman into the foyer.
 

As they all moved into the small space, it occurred to Devon that Natalie had never been this gracious or accommodating to her. She’d been polite, and professional, but always distant. Even a little cold.
 

She followed the other woman’s eyes as they traced Dominic’s movements behind them.
 

He stepped close, gently prying loose the fingers Natalie had clutched around the strap of her bag. Bringing her knuckles to his lips, he bussed a quick kiss against them while grinning down at her. He brought her hand down, but kept her fingers in his.
 

Devon marveled at the exchange.

“It was a pleasure meeting you. And Ms. Enfeld?”

Stirring herself, Natalie answered, “Yes?”
 

“I’m only here for a short visit, but I’d love to see Devon’s workplace, your workplace, meet everyone. Would you be bothered,” he lightly squeezed her hand, “if I dropped in for a visit?”
 

Stammering a little, she replied, “No, of course, well, no, of course not.” She smiled and stepped back, bumping the doorway. “No. We’d be delighted to have you visit, Mr. Martin. Please just arrange it with Devon and I’ll, I mean, she’ll or we’ll…” She stopped, taking a breath. “Someone will take you around for introductions and a quick tour.” She straightened, and resolutely freed her hand. With one last wan smile, she turned to face the exit.
 

“Thank you. I’ll do that.” Smiling charmingly, Dominic reached around, brushing her waist to open the door for her. “I look forward to seeing you again soon.”
 

“Yes, I— of course.” Blushing, she firmly gathered herself and turned to Devon. “I’ll see you at the office.”
 

Closing the door, Devon leaned back against it, looking up at Dominic through her lashes. “What exactly are you up to?”

Lounging against the wall, Dominic looked back innocently. “Can we go back and sit down? I really want that drink.” He turned without waiting for her reply, ambling off.
 

Devon followed to find he’d already resumed his seat on the sofa, and he handed over her glass of white wine as she sat beside him. She held the glass, waiting.

“You’ve really gotten soft, you know.”

Swiveling her head, she asked, “What?”

“Correct me if I’m mistaken, but you wanted information about Bennett. From Ms. Enfeld.” Holding up a hand as she started to interrupt, he continued. “If I’m not further mistaken, there seems to be some mild tension between you and Natalie. In the spirit of cooperation and familial loyalty, I decided to distract her for you. And you got the information you wanted without her freezing up.” He grinned, leaning back while propping his leg on the opposite knee. “So, you’re welcome, Devvie. Really, have you forgotten everything you ever learned?”

Devon leaned forward to set her wine on the table, untouched. She clasped her hands in her lap, contemplating him.
 

“Forgive me, Dominic. I’ve been remiss.
Thank you.”
She reached over to pat his knee with a false smile. “But I’d hardly need to wonder where Bennett is if it weren’t for your interference in the first place. And I haven’t gone so soft that I don’t smell another game in play.”

Dom shifted back, looking wounded. “Now you’re being paranoid, and that would hurt if I didn’t know you’re a little off balance right now.” He patted her cheek in feigned comfort. “A little loyalty, sister, hmm?”

***

“Well, does anyone know when he
will
be returning?” Devon knew she sounded impatient, but couldn’t keep the helpless frustration she felt from leaking into her voice. “He’s been gone for days and the only person that seems to know anything is Natalie.”

Aidan glanced up from his laptop. “Devon, I know you’re restless, but it’s just the way Bennett does things sometimes. He goes offsite and offline to work on a problem until he has a handle on it. Communications are kept to a minimum so there are limited to no interruptions. Believe it or not, it’s effective and usually brings him back sooner than later.”
 

Sighing, she propped a hip on his desk, edgy with tension. For days, she’d been trying to work out exactly what
problem
Bennett was struggling to solve. She’d been steadfast in her refusal to believe he’d simply walked out on her, leaving her alone. She wanted her chance to explain, recapture the closeness they’d found before Dominic’s interruption.

He’d said it was a beginning,
their
beginning.

But he hadn’t called or texted. Not even an email. The most optimistic of people would consider his disappearance ill timed.
 

Devon wasn’t feeling optimistic.

She looked up to see Aidan watching her, his gaze level. She said, “I wish he’d consider talking to one of us. It’s frustrating relaying information back and forth with Natalie as his only liaison.”
 

Aidan patiently listened, not saying anything. Uncomfortable with his unblinking observation, she looked down, inspecting her nails one by one. At his continued silence, she briskly rubbed her arms before finally meeting his eyes.
 

“
What
?”
 

“You need to ease off Natalie, Devon. Your personal bias is showing through. She’s his assistant. Why wouldn’t he communicate with her? Why would he talk to us instead?” He paused, frowning. “What do you have against her?”