“I’ll soon find out,” I told her, and I was already choosing smarter clothes from my suitcase.
Her fingers were twiddling in front of her, cell phone forgotten as I buttoned up my fitted shirt.
“Who is it you’re meeting?” she asked.
“Devon Quentin and his associates, and a business partner he has a lot to do with. George Ellis.”
“And what do they do?”
I pulled up my tailored pants.
“A variety of things. They have networks of friends, and suppliers and clients. Both official and nefarious.”
She nodded, weighing it up. “They can help us set up here, then?”
I nodded and took a tie from the suitcase. A deep rich burgundy silk. “Yes, they can most certainly help us set up here. I’m prepared to share some of my own business investments and trade deals with them, and discuss cross-country ventures. I have plenty of ideas.”
“And they can protect us?”
I smiled. “They can most definitely protect us, sweetheart. This meeting is one of several I’ve already organized. If my ideas come to fruition, we could be in a very good position here.”
“And if not?” she asked, and there was a shake of nerves in her voice again.
They had every right to be there. If I’d been less of an arrogant asshole, I would have had nerves myself. These connections I’d made were tenuous, and I hadn’t had direct communication with them for quite some time. If they opted to liaise with my father and exploit my location details as opposed to truly hearing my propositions, then I would be setting myself up for my own demise.
I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “If not, then we think again. Jason and Penelope might be gardening together as soon as they can.”
That was an understatement. We’d need to be thinking again pretty damn fast or Jason and Penelope would never even manage to get hold of a trowel before their brains were blown out of their heads.
I finished getting ready, checking myself in the hotel mirror before slipping on a suit jacket. I looked very much like myself as I swept my hair back neatly.
“You’re going to have to wear those crappy glasses until you get there,” Elaine commented, stating the obvious.
She was right on that.
I sighed in frustration and forced myself to take off my tie and roll it up for my jacket pocket, unbuttoning the shirt at the collar to make me look considerably more casual. Jesus, I hated casual. It grated at my spine.
The glasses were as pathetically nerdy as ever as I slipped them on and up my nose, even against the backdrop of my tailored attire.
My pretty sweetheart swung her feet from the bed and got up as I was preparing to leave, fingers still twiddling in front of her.
“Can I come with you? Maybe I could help?”
God, she was so fucking beautiful.
No doubt having Elaine Constantine along for the discussions would be another weight of namely respect there for the taking, but I didn’t want to risk it. I didn’t want to risk her being at my side in case things all went to shit.
I shook my head.
“You stay here and rest up, baby. Enjoy the room and your new cell.”
She let out a sigh.
“This is a really dangerous meeting, isn’t it? That’s why you don’t want me to come.”
I didn’t lie.
“Yes. This is dangerous. That is why I don’t want you to come.”
She sighed again. “But you can’t protect me from everything in the world, Lucian! It won’t work!”
I stepped up to her and brushed her cheek with my thumb.
“Maybe I can’t,” I told her. “Maybe I can’t protect you from everything in the world that life has to throw at us, but believe me, Elaine, I’ll die trying.”
She saw the argument was futile and dropped her gaze from mine. She was shocked. That little girl in her again was still trying to soak it in—the very fact she could be so loved. I could see it all over her face.
Making her realize just how much I loved her would be a mission I’d be enjoying for the rest of my life. I just hoped my life lasted longer than one single afternoon.
“Please, please stay as safe as you can,” she said, grabbing my hand as I stepped past her to grab my briefcase.
I squeezed her fingers before picking up the case, picking up my new cell phone along with it.
“I’m certainly planning on it.” I held up the phone. “At least you have this to reach me on now.”
“Great,” she said and rolled her eyes. “I can send you some sappy messages and heart emojis before they kill you at your father’s instruction, then.”
Sarcastic little bitch. I’d have spanked her if I hadn’t been so pressed for time.
I tipped my head as I told her so.
“Be prepared for when I do get back later, little girl. I’ll be punishing you for your sass.”