Leaning back in the chair, Addy drummed her nails against the tabletop. He gave her a moment to process while he took a sip of the tea. Frankly, she could’ve taken a month, simply being near her left him content. During the last three days, he had rediscovered perfection in his life. Even torturing had taken on a whole new level for him. It was a task to be completed, enjoyed only for the interactions he had with her while she was present, then dispensed with quickly.
“I have to call Clark.”
He rather expected the result. “I’ll leave you to it,” he said as he began to rise, but she reached out a hand to stay him.
“No, you should be here for this. At least until I have to go back.”
That part he could live without, but she’d accepted he was not going to simply let her disappear. Yet, she had her own code, and it was one he respected. Nodding, he resumed his seat, then waited as she retrieved a phone from her purse. It was a new burner they’d picked up on their way to the Earl’s estate. She stared at the device for a long moment before she finally dialed the number.
Once again, he wished he could tell what was going on inside her head. Was she worried about telling her brother about Red Wolf? Or about him?
Twenty-four hoursafter leaving the Earl, Sam walked with Addison through the terminal of the private airport just outside of Zürich. Henry refueled the plane and flew it to France to meet them. Not once had she asked him where he managed the funds for private plane, or who Henry was. She seemed content not to know, and if so, then he was equally content not to tell her.
They changed on the flight, Addy having picked up a few more items on their way to the airport. She’d chosen slacks for this venture rather than a skirt or dress. She was every inch the professional, cool and almost untouchable. Yet, there was a hint of nervousness to her actions, one barely perceptible and probably only noticeable by someone who knew her as well as he did. It was in the way she twisted her fingers together, and how she continued to stare at him when she thought he wasn’t looking.
“It’s going to be fine,” he assured her. Clark’s reaction notwithstanding, Sam refused to let anything get between them. He couldn’t eliminate her brother, he could only go after her brother’s animosity. Frankly, Sam had earned the latter, so he would take the time necessary to make it right.
At the end of the concourse, three figures appeared, one woman and two men. Addison increased her speed, and a subtle change rippled over her demeanor. She straightened her shoulders, then her chin lifted, and her expression grew more remote. She’d reassumed the part she’d been playing. The part dictated to her by whatever job they were on.
Yes, the sooner they ended this, the better. If Addison wanted to play the part, it was one thing. But if she was held to a deal or some other commitment, then she was putting herself through a hell not of her own volition. Unacceptable on every level to him.
“Ms. Leeds,” the woman greeted her. “And friend.” Interestingly enough, the woman kept her attention on Addison, while the two men watched him.
“I thought we agreed you could call me Addison, Sachi.”
“For the time being, let’s go with Copper. We’re on the job.” Copper possessed a brusque, businesslike tone. Despite her slight size, she wore the look of a woman hardened to the ways of the world. Spit and polish might have put a sheen on it, but it didn’t hide the steel beneath.
“For the time being, I would prefer not to be called Arsenic in public, thank you very much.” Addison’s tone went a little snooty, even for her. It was all Sam could do not to laugh. “Brad, Gabriel, this is Samuel Reese, an old and trusted friend of mine.”
Fierce possessiveness unfurled within him at the wordtrusted. He extended his hand first to the man called Brad, who watched him like a predator, sizing him up for the battle. The one called Gabriel accepted the handshake when Brad made no move to take it.
“Gabriel Danvers,” the man said. “I’m very familiar with your work, Mr. Reese. Equally familiar with how you exited your last position, shall we say.”
“All good to know, chap. Someone should know how it all ran down.” He would neither accept the challenge nor rise to the bait. He was there for Addison, and that was it.
He took in Brad once more, but the other man simply shook his head. “This is too exposed. Let’s get the hell out of the airport.”
“Temper, temper,” Copper said, but she also studied Sam, and she must’ve found something to her liking, because she nodded. She touched two fingers to her ear. “We’re good, bringing them in now.”
Bringing them in?Addison said nothing, merely took his hand as they walked. She knew these three, and while her body language didn’t say trust, it did say confident. He could work with confident.
With their three escorts, they took a car from the airport to a private house rather than a hotel. It was a little château tucked into the side of the mountain just on the outskirts of Zürich.
As soon as they arrived, the three who brought them disappeared, leaving him and Addison to enter alone.
“What are the chances that we’re walking into an ambush?” She might be working for these people, but he didn’t know them nor how many he might have to eliminate, should the need arise.
“We’re not walking into a physical ambush, but Clark’s on site. Everyone else is making themselves scarce because they’re not certain whether or not I turned.”
“They’re also not certain about whether or not you should be sharing private business with a total stranger.”
And there he was, the vaunted brother. The man who would end their relationship if given his druthers.
“Clark.”
“Sam.” He didn’t even bother to disguise his disgust under a thin veneer of civility.
“I know I should’ve checked in, but I had my reasons. You should know by now that when I go dark, there’s always a reason for it.” Addison put her hands on her hips, then stared at her brother. Clark finally dragged his attention away from Sam to look at her. Almost immediately, there was a softening to the harsh expression on his face, and Sam recognized relief when he saw it.