“She’s just sitting there, without a fucking care in the world,” he said sharply.
“We don’t know exactly how involved she is yet.” Hadley studied him carefully. “It’s not your fault Archie made a bad decision and got sucked into this.”
Bennett blew out a breath. “I hired him. He got discharged from the Navy, and was lost. He was targeted because of me.”
“No, he was targeted because L’Orage needed a way into Secura, and Archie was a weak link.”
Now, Bennett sucked in a breath. He looked at their hands and turned her palm over, stroking it.
Hadley fought back a shiver. “I know most of your staff members are former military or family of military.”
He shifted in his seat. “So?”
“You’re a mother hen, collecting up little chicks.”
He stared at her with a faint scowl.
“I’m starting to think you are a good guy, Knightley.”
He leaned in, tightening his hold on her hand. “Not always.”
She just watched him.
“I’m not a saint, Hadley. I needed employees, they needed jobs. They ensure my company is a success, and I make a lot of money.”
“We both know that’s not why you do it.”
“I do it to help, but…I do it for me too. It helps keep me level.” His eyes darkened. “I saw shit, did shit, and the memories never go away.”
Secura was his way of keeping the nightmares at bay. She understood. Work did the same for her.
“I can’t let anyone threaten my work or my people.” His gaze strayed back to Kitty.
“She might get nervous if she sees you here,” Hadley said.
He looked back at her. “Coincidence. This is the best seafood restaurant in London, and clearly a place I frequent. Lunching with my new head of communications makes sense.”
“You’re going to get a reputation for office hanky-panky, if you keep this up.” She tried to tug her hand free.
He smiled and held tight. “One look at you, and no one would blame me.” He traced the sensitive spot between her fingers.
She should be immune. She hadn’t let a man affect her like this in…forever. Not since Casper had shattered her trust. “Oh, so you indulge in office affairs often?”
He pulled her hand closer and leaned in. She got a whiff of his cologne, and it made her think of a dark, dense forest.
“Never. But it makes a good cover for us spending a lot of time together.”
She was saved from the discussion when a server brought their drinks. She discreetly kept her gaze on Kitty.
“She doesn’t seem troubled or nervous,” Hadley said.
Bennett grunted unhappily.
Hadley ordered grilled Dover sole and Bennett ordered seared Sea Bass. The meal arrived swiftly, and they ate as the table of women ordered more champagne.
“We need to get a closer look at her,” he said. “Or we can’t get that bug in place.”
Hadley saw Kitty rise and head toward the bar. “Now might be the chance.” She went to rise.