Risking It All: London Calling Book Three (24 page)

“I never said he was all bad. He’s just bad for me.”

“I don’t pretend to know about what went on between you two. But he never said he loved you before, when it would have benefitted him the most to do so. Perhaps if he’s laid his heart out for you now, he actually means it.”

“No, you don’t know. So I’d appreciate it if we could stop talking about things unrelated to my employment with you.” She clasped her knees together, wishing she’d never moved into the mausoleum Sebastian called a home. All around were antiques, rare art, and faded Turkish rugs. She must be the youngest thing on the estate, she thought blackly.
 

“Have it your way.” He walked over to the door, and she released a breath she’d been unaware of holding. “But one more thing. I do know
you
, Natalie. Don’t turn your back on someone special because of pride or some other misguided grudge. They don’t come around as often as we’d like.”

“Point taken. But there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Make sure of that. If Dominic decides to come on board with us, he’ll be risking his life for someone else’s cause.” He looked over his shoulder where she stared back in frank alarm. “Don’t leave it too late to admit your feelings.”

Natalie crumpled in her chair.
 

When she looked up again, trembling and cold, Sebastian was gone.

CHAPTER TWELVE

D
OMINIC
KNOCKED
ON
the door to Devon’s flat, flowers in hand. He’d been invited over for dinner with her and Bennett. He wrinkled up his nose. Ever so slight, a faint whiff of char drifted from beneath the door.

Quickly, he blanked his expression as the door flew open. Inside, Devon stood wrapped in a stained cotton apron. Red-faced and a little sweaty, she breathlessly waved him in.
 

“Hey!” She bussed his cheek, took the flowers, and then hurried back to the kitchen. “I’m just finishing up dinner. I made a casserole.”

This time, Dominic couldn’t erase his horror.
 

“Get that look off your face. It’s Charles’ recipe, and I’m following it to the letter.”

“Dev, I know it’s difficult to tell when you’re in the thick of it, but the oven is smoking a little.”

She looked around, obviously only just noticing the hazy fog polluting her flat. “Oh! Can you open a window? It’ll air out in no time.”

Dominic grimaced but did as asked. As fresh air drifted in to begin dissipating the odor of burned food, he asked a little desperately, “Where’s Bennett?” The other man was an excellent cook. Dominic couldn’t fathom why he’d leave them at the mercy of Devon’s efforts.

“He’s at his house. With the cat.” She grinned. “I wanted a little time together, just the two of us. It’s been a long time.”

Secretly, Dominic was pleased to hear this. He had things to talk about with Devon that he preferred to do privately. If they survived dinner.

“I think whatever you’ve got there in the oven needs to come out.”

She checked her watch. “Nope. Three more minutes.”

Dominic idly wondered how long it took for once edible ingredients to burn down into a solid carbon briquette. “May I make a suggestion?”
 

She looked up from tossing an overdressed, soggy salad. “Hmm?”

He straightened, girding himself. “Pizza. Let’s order a pizza.”

Her mouth fell open. “Dominic! I have been cooking for over an hour. We will eat the food I’ve prepared and you will like it. You’ll see.”

Resigned, he gathered plates and cutlery before taking them into the dining room. It wouldn’t be his worst meal, but would likely make the top five. Over the years, they’d butchered more than one attempt at feeding themselves when their fathers worked late.

He poured two generous glasses of the Chianti she’d already opened and sat out. At least they could drink wine. Weakly, he wished he’d brought another bottle rather than flowers. He heard the oven door creak open.

“Oh no!” she gasped from the kitchen.
 

He could imagine. “Need any help?” Black smoke, freed from the confines of the oven, billowed out from under the kitchen door. He rose to open more windows.

She appeared in the doorway, holding a dish of what appeared to be charcoal nuggets.
 

Dom cocked his head, his natural sense of humor showing itself. “What was it?
Before
it went to hell?”
 

She plopped it down on the table, laughing. “You jerk, I’m not even going to tell you.” She sat down and took a swig of wine then wiped her mouth on the hem of her apron. She thrummed her fingers. Finally, she looked up, straight-faced. “Pepperoni or sausage?”

He took out his phone, chuckling. “Both.”

They settled into her small sitting room to drink wine and let the place air out until the pizza arrived. With one hand, Dominic indicated their surroundings.

“Why haven’t you moved in with Bennett? I never took you to be old-fashioned, Dev.”

“With some things, I suppose I am.” She smiled, a little secretive. “But that’s not it. This is my last chance to live on my own. I’ll miss it.”

He frowned. “Is everything okay with you two? It’s not too late to call things off. Or postpone them.”

“No, it isn’t that,” she said. “I’m more than happy with Bennett and look forward to sharing our lives together. That doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the last of living independently, though. No matter how much space we give each other, it will never be quite like this again. So, I’m in no rush.”

Dominic nodded. Devon had always been one to wander off, enjoying the solitude of her own company.

“So what do you want to talk about?”
 

Surprised, he asked, “How did you know I wanted to talk to you?”

She stood up from where she’d been sitting in an armchair and joined him on the couch. Affectionately, she threw her arm over his shoulders. “Because I know you. Plus, you get this little crease on your forehead when something’s chewing at you.” Reaching up, she used her thumb to smooth it out.

“Fair enough. I have something important to tell you.”

“Okay. Shoot.”

“Dev, it’s probably going to upset you, and that’s the last thing I want. But I can’t keep something this big a secret. We’ve been through too much together.”

She dropped her hands into her lap. “You’re starting to worry me. Just say whatever it is.”

“I met with Angeline.” He dropped the bomb baldly. “I didn’t know she’d be there, but that was the end result.”

Devon covered her mouth with one hand, speechless. Dominic waited, patient for her to ask questions in her own time.

The intercom buzzed, and she jumped up to go fetch the pizza. Dominic breathed deep, wishing he could make this easier for her. An old wound, but he knew Devon had never fully healed.
 

She came back into the sitting room carrying plates with slices of pizza. She handed one over and fished out napkins from the apron she still wore. “Let’s eat in here.”

He pulled the coffee table closer in case she wanted to set her plate down. He touched her wrist. “I’m sorry Devvie. You have to know I never want to hurt you.”

She patted the top of his hand where he’d left it resting on her arm. She turned to aim dark gray eyes at him, moisture making them glisten. “I know that.
Really.
But tell me how.”

“Natalie works for a man named Sebastian Payne.”

“I remember you asking Bennett about him.”

“Yes. That was when I thought he was up to no good and worried Natalie might get caught up in something she shouldn’t. It turns out he’s not. Bad, that is. In fact, he’s involved in serious work to help vulnerable kids and women.”

Devon nodded. “That’s a relief, isn’t it? You know Natalie’s okay working for him.”

“Yes. It’s a huge relief.”

“I don’t understand what any of this has to do with my long-lost mother.” Sarcasm and pain seeped through her words.

“Don’t Dev.” He stopped her. “There’s much more to the story of her leaving than either of us could have known. It’s something we could take up with both our fathers, I’m sure.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean Angeline hasn’t exactly been hiding. She’s still Angeline Dubois Sinclair. She came to London right after Savannah. If your dad wasn’t aware of her location, it’s only because he refused to inquire.”

She frowned. “I don’t blame Dad for not running after a woman who left us.”

“I know. I’m not saying that either, but I believe there’s more to the story for why she left.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t go into a lot of details.” He shook his head as she looked ready to protest. “No, Devvie. It’s for your own safety that I don’t. For the same reason, Angeline requested I not tell you about seeing her at all. I couldn’t do that. Our bond is stronger and you have a right to know. But I also need to look out for you.”

“I’m completely confused.” Her brow crinkled. “Explain to me how she plays into all this.”

“Angeline is Sebastian’s partner. Together, they’re helping victims of sex crimes. At a guess, I’d say she’s the driving force behind their work.”

“Why? How did she go from working in art galleries and museums to that?”

Dominic took a deep breath, knowing his next words would hit Devon hard. “She said she was a victim of abuse herself. It was the reason she left.”

Devon sagged on the couch, letting her plate tip alarmingly. Dominic took it and set it on the coffee table next to his untouched dish.
 

“Oh my God.”

He waited, giving her time to process.
 

“Where is she? I should see her.”

He denied her with one short shake of his head. When she reared back as if he’d struck her, he folded her into his arms. “Dev, no. I can’t. When she asked for me to keep quiet, it wasn’t because she didn’t want to see you. I have the feeling she’s torn herself into pieces from wanting to see you again.”

“Then why?” Devon cried.

“Her work with Sebastian. It’s at a particularly critical point right now. She knows she could be a dangerous liability to you.”

Devon sighed, relaxing into his arms. “I wish people would stop trying to figure out what’s best for me.”

She had him there. But he couldn’t knowingly put her at risk. He wouldn’t.

Long moments passed. Devon leaned forward, freeing herself from his hold. She picked up two pieces of cold pizza and passed him one. “Eat up.”

“Are you okay?”

She tilted her head. “Honestly? I don’t know. But I do know there’s nothing to be done right now. It sounds as though she would have been open to approach any time in the last twenty years. Now that she’s not available, I can hardly push myself on her when she doesn’t want me.”

“Dev, I’d swear on my mother’s grave she wants you. It’s not that. She doesn’t want you to get hurt. Give her the time she needs. I promise it won’t be forever.”

“How will I know when the situation improves?”

“I’ll tell you.”

Devon narrowed her eyes at him. “And why would you know?”

“With your blessing, I’ll be working with her.”

“You said it was dangerous!”

“And it is. But it’s also worthwhile. Plus, I believe my skills will minimize the peril. I can go to virtual places they cannot. I can see behind doors they can’t open.”

“You’re talking about hacking again.”

“Yes. I know I made a promise to you. I can’t tell you how much I hate to ask this, knowing I’m letting you down. But Dev, I can help them. It means making a real difference in the world.”

She tossed the half-eaten pizza aside and propped her chin on her fist, staring outward. After several moments, she turned to face him. “Dominic.” That got his attention. “A year ago, I was hurt when you excluded me from your plans and didn’t tell me what you were up to.”

He looked down, but she reached over to tip his chin to look at her again.

“I forgave you a long time ago. It’s best you didn’t confide because I would never have allowed you to do what you did.”

He nodded.

“But it’s all worked out, hasn’t it? I’m engaged to Bennett. You two are partners, for crying out loud. And both our fathers have no financial worries going into their retirement. Thanks to you.”

He sat straight. “How’d you know?”

“I didn’t until I reviewed their funds with Bennett. That’s when we noticed large, regularly timed deposits to coincide with payments from Sterling International. You earned the business then gave all the money away.”

“I didn’t want them to worry about working anymore. They’ve done enough.”

“Agreed. Bennett and I also scheduled deposits. They would have been fine, but now they won’t lack for anything. Thank you, Dommie.”

“For lying to you?”

“For always looking out for everyone else. Your methods may be unusual, but your intentions have always been good.”

“You’ve really forgiven me.” It wasn’t a question.
 

“A long time ago. Now forgive yourself.”

***

Dominic sat on a bench in Hyde Park, keeping his view clear to where the other man would approach.

He should have known he’d use an alternative route.