Risking It All: London Calling Book Three (15 page)

But he has secrets too
, a voice inside her whispered.

She pushed the thought aside, unhappy with the disloyal sound of it. She looked around her beautiful office, knowing she owed all of it to Bas.

Well, except the flowers. And the toffee.
 

She pointed a finger at the bowl of candy. “Toffee?”

He also gazed around her office, apparently taking in the profusion of blooms. He waved away her offer. “Smells nice in here.” One side of his mouth quirked up.

She eyed him levelly. “You’re awfully casual.” Unlike his usual Saville Row suiting, he wore black cargo pants with a fitted black tee. He was built, that was sure. But she felt nothing, not even a flutter of her pulse.

“Right. I’m heading out of town. I have some unplanned business.” Just like that, he was serious again. “You have this?”
 

They both knew it wasn’t really a question. She saw the duffle he’d dropped by the door, so he was leaving whether she felt ready or not. Luckily for her, she did have this. Plus, his absence would give her an excuse for putting Dominic off that weekend. She could plead added hours and work without telling him about the club’s annual charity event. It would provide her some breathing room, an opportunity to shake off the seductive intimacy they’d fallen into.
 

She focused on Bas. “Yes.” She paused, curiosity burning as he rose to walk out. “But just in case, where will you be?”

One hand on the door, he turned back to look at her. “As usual, you can reach me on my cell.”

No help. “And if anyone asks where they can find you?”

He frowned and she saw his knuckles whiten on the doorjamb. “I’m
unavailable
for meetings. They can call me. Or they can wait.” His eyes gleamed like blackened steel.
 

Natalie swallowed, regretting her audacity. Before she could utter anything else, he turned and walked out, shutting the door behind him.

Sighing, she left it closed. She wasn’t sure why she pushed so hard, other than the fact Dominic’s suspicions were gnawing at her. She jammed a piece of gum in her mouth to avoid another piece of toffee.

Her phone vibrated on the top of her desk, the ring tone singing out classic Marvin Gaye from the early eighties.
 

Dominic.

The lunatic must have snuck into her phone’s preferences and downloaded
Sexual Healing
as his personal ringtone. As Marvin’s clear tones rang out, asking her to wake up, wake up, Natalie dissolved into uncontrollable laughter. Sliding her finger across the screen to accept his call, she gurgled, “You are crazy, do you know that?”
 

His deep voice, amused and quick, came right back at her. “Crazy for you, Toff. How’s your day?”

“My office smells like a perfumery,” she said. Her tone unconsciously softened. “Thank you for the flowers. Again. They’re gorgeous.”

“Why don’t you thank me in person?”

“What?”

“I’m right outside. Tell the doorman it’s okay to let me through.” She thought she detected a note of rueful resignation. The last time he came inside, she had him removed.

“No.” She stopped herself, aware she was practically shouting. “No, I’ll come out. I need some fresh air.”

Silence.

“I’ll be right there. Sit tight.” She clicked off her phone before he could argue. From the sheer volume of gifts, candy, and flowers delivered to her, Natalie knew it was obvious to her staff she was involved with someone. But she wasn’t ready to share Dominic with the people she managed. Or with anyone else, really.

You’re keeping him a secret. Like he did before with you.

She banished the sneaking thought. She wasn’t ashamed of Dominic. Far from it. But it was private.

You’re afraid he’ll leave you again, alone and humiliated.

No. She had rules. Keeping him separate from the rest of her life helped her remember their time together was temporary.

Transient, like him.

She grabbed her purse, keys, and phone and practically jogged downstairs. Knowing Dominic, he’d enter regardless of her wishes or whether he had permission.
 

Pushing open the large main door, the valet hurried over to hold it for her. She stood still on the top step, blinking in the sunlight. It was much brighter outside than in, and she relished the heat warming her face.
 

A hand touched her own and she looked down to see Dominic at the base of the stairs. With the difference in height, he almost appeared to be bowing at her feet, one hand outstretched for hers.

The sun shot his hair with gold. Mossy green eyes crinkled at the corners. “Come with me?” he asked.

Anywhere.
 

The thought was so loud in her head, she was sure he must have heard it. Instead, he lightly kissed the back of her hand.
 

“Please?”

Her heart stuttered then fell into free fall. She must have swayed on her feet, because instantly he was beside her, cupping her elbow.
 

“Let’s get you some lunch. You’re dead on your feet.”

She stared up into the matchless perfection of his godlike face and thought she’d never seen anything so beautiful. Not because he was way beyond handsome. But because he was kind and generous, plus a thousand other things she couldn’t express. She felt ashamed of herself. Indecision warred in her, knotting her stomach. Words strained against her tightly held lips, aching to burst free. She stopped herself. She couldn’t be sure of Dominic. He’d used her, hurt her, and left her alone. Remembering still brought a dull pang to her chest.
 

Bennett’s words echoed back at her.

Everyone deserves a second chance.

She’d told herself she was giving Dominic his.
 

But somehow, holding back the important parts of herself didn’t feel like a second chance. It only felt empty.

***

Dominic watched from the car as Natalie skipped up the stairs to Club Hobart’s front entrance. Deftly side-stepping his suggestion to come in with her, he wasn’t sure if he should be amused or hurt by her insistence on keeping him separate from this part of her life. She blocked like a professional defensive end in the American football leagues. Of course, she did it while never lifting a finger.

He was pretty sure the lump in his throat was hurt.

Frank pulled the car away while Dominic still stared at the front doors, where she disappeared inside. He glanced over at the other man. “Going somewhere?”

The old man made a sound somewhat like a crackling snort. “Getting you away from that woman.”

 
That earned Dominic’s full attention. “You don’t like Natalie.” It wasn’t a question. They knew each other well now and Dominic had a good read on Frank, even when his driver didn’t say a word.

“She’s nice enough to me.”

“But?”

“Not nice enough to you.”

“What do you mean by that? Natalie makes me happy.”

Another wheezing snort. “I don’t know what
you
mean by that. She shouldn’t. She keeps you in a box, away from everything that matters. It’s as if she’s ashamed to be seen with you.” Frank shot him a side-eye while deftly maneuvering through mid-day London traffic. “You’re pretty enough, so it can’t be your looks. She doesn’t respect you as a person.”

Dominic had the insane urge to laugh. “You sound like someone’s grandmother, lecturing a fresh-faced innocent about the dangers of men.”

“Close enough. You’re not using any sense with that one, mark my words.”

Dominic’s tone hardened. “I’ll decide how to handle Nat. And you’re wrong about her anyway.”

Frank wasn’t backing down. “We’ll see.”

Dominic shifted in his seat so he was angled sideways to better address Frank. “I appreciate your loyalty. I do. But you don’t know the whole story. I treated her badly before.” At the other man’s surprised look, he continued. “Very badly. I was the one who didn’t value what we had. I hurt her.”

“So now you’re trying to make up for that?”

“I’m not sure I’ll ever make up for what I did the first time. But yes,” he sighed. “I suppose I’m trying to make it up to her. I love her, Frankie. I have to hope she’ll eventually see she loves me too.”

“You think she does?”

The past weeks assured Dominic of the fact Natalie had feelings for him. Certainly, she felt a healthy dose of lust. Their need for each other was insatiable. Dominic had to hope it was more than that for her, as it was for him.

“I do.” She would come around. He could wait for her.

“I hope you’re right, Nicky. I’ll say one last thing then leave it be.”

Dominic reluctantly grinned. “Go on, then. Get it off your chest.”

“I’m thinking you’ve been hard enough on yourself without everyone else flogging you to death for your sins. I didn’t know you then, but I know enough now.” He paused, making sure he had Dominic’s full attention. “Whatever you did, or didn’t do, I’ve little doubt you had good intentions. We all make mistakes, but I’ve yet to see you not thinking of others.”

“I had my reasons, but they were little comfort in the end.”

Frank went on as if Dominic hadn’t spoken. “You’re a fine man, Mr. Martin. Don’t let anyone make you feel different. I was married for forty years before my wife passed on. If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that love can’t survive without forgiveness.”
 

Dominic never asked whether Frank was married before. He only knew he was single now. He patted Frank’s gnarled hand where it rested on the gear lever. They pulled up outside his hotel.
 

The old man wasn’t finished. “Every single one of us screws up now and again. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t get another pass to get it right.”

Dominic nodded even though he wasn’t entirely on board. There were mistakes, and then there was what he’d put Natalie through. But he appreciated the sentiment. “That’s enough, Frankie. But thank you for your words.” He clapped the old man on the shoulder, making sure there were no hard feelings.

He thought he heard Frank grumble, but thankfully, he let it drop. Dominic stepped out of the car and leaned back in through the open door. “Take the rest of the day. Remember, I’ll need you this weekend.”

Frank made a gesture like he was tipping a nonexistent hat. “Got it. I’ll be ready.”
 

Dominic knew about Club Hobart’s annual charity gambling event. He presumed Natalie forgot to mention it, but Charles kindly gave his ticket to Dominic the last time he saw him.
 

He’d surprise her then take her away at the end of the night. He’d scored tickets to an exclusive restaurant with a months long waiting list he was sure she’d like. They could share a late dinner then go back to his hotel. In the meantime, he had serious work to catch up on if he and Bennett were going to get their business launched by the deadline.

His phone buzzed.
 

Moneypenny’s text was brief.
Call me as soon as you can,
it said.

He loped up to his room, snagging a large bottle of Pellegrino from the bar on his way. He toed off his shoes and poured a glass of the sparkling water before plopping down in one of the room’s wingback chairs. He dialed her number, unsurprised when she answered after one ring. She was prompt, more so when anything was urgent.

“It’s Dominic.”

“Right. Do you have paper and something to write with?”

He reached for the pad and pen the hotel provided. “Got it. What’s up?”

“Write this down.” She fired off the name of an airline with flight information.
 

“Whoa. What’s this for?”

“You need to get on that flight.” She paused, clicking her tongue. “No wait, he’d recognize you after you were thrown out of his club. Catch the next one after that.” He could hear her tapping at her keyboard. “Hold on, I’ll get that booked for you.”

“MP.” Nothing but the sound of her typing. “Moneypenny,” he bellowed. The clacking stopped.

“
What
?”

“Slow down, take a breath, and tell me what the hell you’re talking about.” He heard her annoyed hiss. Good. He finally had her attention.
 

“Sebastian Payne is on the move.” She enunciated the words, speaking as if he were slow. “He booked a last-minute flight to Jersey. The
island
.” She clearly remembered when Dominic thought she meant New Jersey. “Dom, it’s where the shell company is based. He has a house there, but no way would he take an impromptu trip when his club’s hosting a big charity fundraiser this weekend. Something’s up, I know it.” By the time she finished, she was talking fast again and sounded a little breathless.
 

Dominic tapped his chin. MP was right; it was odd for Payne to be leaving at a time like this. “I’d have to agree.”

“Great! I’ll finish booking your flight then.”

He sighed. As much as he’d like to personally catch Payne at whatever he was doing, he couldn’t. “Moneypenny, I can’t go.”

She paused. With obvious hesitation, she asked, “Why? This is it. I know it. Whatever he’s up to on that island, I can almost guarantee it will answer your questions.”
 

“I know. I agree completely. But I cannot go right now. I have obligations here, to myself and Bennett, but more importantly, this thing with Natalie is at a delicate stage. She can’t find out I’m still looking into Sebastian Payne. And, actually, I’m attending that fundraiser you mentioned.”

Another beat. Then, “Dom, I’ve pretty much exhausted what I can find out from here.”

It was Dominic’s turn to search for the right words. “I agree. Which is why I think
you
should go to Jersey.”

“I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“You heard me. Listen, I agree this might be big. Hell, I know it is, just like you do. But I
cannot
go. We might not get another chance like this.”

This time, the silence was so profound he thought she hung up on him. Finally, he heard her take a deep breath, like she was searching for control.
 

“I need to think about it.”