Chapter Twenty-Three #2
I lower my arm and sit up gingerly. “I was talking to myself. I guess that’s what you heard.”
Katia steps into the office, checking behind the bookcase and peering under the desk. Then she moves to the window and stares through the glass, her back ramrod straight. When she finally looks back at me, I swing my legs over the side of the couch and stand up.
She gives me one more look before ushering me out of the room.
I try to catch Miss Deveroux’s gaze, but Katia marches me out of the club. She leads me upstairs, past the empty foyer, and straight to Mason’s study. He’s still in the position I left him in, only now, bathed in the soft glow of a nearby lamp, the circles under his eyes are even more pronounced.
You’re not really going to leave him in the dark, are you? He’ll look for you.
Mason stands up and steps out from behind the desk. “Did you have a good time?”
I nod.
He pulls me into his arms and kisses my ear. “It seems Oliver was right, but I’m still looking into it. Mathew has covered his tracks well.”
I lean into him. “What if he finds out you’re looking into him?”
“He won’t.”
“Please be careful.”
Mason pulls back to kiss me, hovering there until a knock on the door interrupts our moment.
He crosses the room and opens the door a crack as I turn away.
Furious whispers drift in before the door shuts again.
In the window reflection, I see Mason come up behind me and wrap his arms around my waist.
“I’ll come and find you later,” he says. “Be safe.”
I offer him a sad smile. “You, too.”
After walking me to the library, he disappears. I select a book at random, retrieve the blanket I left draped over the armchair, and cozy up by the fire. After tucking my legs under me, I crack the book open and stare at the page.
The flames leap and dance, casting shadows across the walls.
I read the same paragraph five times and sigh.
With a frown, I snap the book shut.
It’s not too late to call this off.
I know Mason will do what it takes to keep us safe, but I don’t want it to be at the expense of his legacy.
I also don’t want him to resent me for making him choose.
I’m still staring at the fire as if it holds all the answers when Olivia finds me, carrying a tray with sandwiches, chocolate, and tea.
She sets the tray down on the table in the middle and fills up a plate.
She hands it to me, and I nibble on the crust of a cucumber sandwich, but it tastes like ash.
“I did it.”
I stop chewing and look at her. “Did what?”
“I got a meeting with Michael.”
I do my best to set down my plate calmly. “And?”
Her expression falls. “I’m sorry, London. I thought I could get through to him. We were in love once, and I… stupidly thought it still meant something.”
I reach for her hand, disappointment coursing through me. “I’m sorry.”
She covers my hand with hers. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I wanted to do this for Mason, for the family… for the baby.”
I pat her hand. “You tried.”
Olivia stands up. “There’s one more thing I haven’t tried. Michael and I… when we were together, I wasn’t sure he was serious about me, and I kept pushing him away. He wanted to prove his feelings for me, so he broke into his father’s office.”
“He gave you something?”
“He stole a ledger full of names and numbers,” Olivia whispers. “Most of that information is probably obsolete, but it could be worth something, right?”
Slowly, I rise to my feet, a small kernel of hope blossoming within me. “Yes, but are you sure you want to do this?”
Whatever else was happening, they had loved each other.
Using that information now meant there was no going back for either of them.
I’m not sure if it’s a price Olivia is willing to pay.
Olivia nods. “I’m sure. If I don’t do this, it’s only a matter of time before things escalate. Where are you going?”
“To get Mason. He’ll figure out how to—”
Olivia’s hand closes around my wrist. “No, you can’t. If we tell Mason and word gets back to them, we’ll lose our advantage.”
I look from her hand to her face and back again. “We have to tell him.”
“There are too many eyes and ears on him, London. You know that as well as I do. This might be the only ace we have up our sleeves.”
My mouth is suddenly very, very dry. “Olivia, you can’t handle this alone. This is too big, and it has to be handled carefully.”
She releases my arm. “I know. I’ll figure something out. Don’t worry. You should focus on the baby.”
I frown. “Of course, I’m going to worry. There’s a lot at stake. If this doesn’t work…”
Olivia stiffens, and her expression turns grim. “I know.”
I turn away from her and look back at the fire. “I used to dream of what it would be like to be pregnant. I think most little girls do. My mom said I used to beg her for a sibling.”
“London, I know that look on your face.” Olivia steps closer to me, so we’re chest to chest. “Do not do anything you’re going to regret.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t run. I know it’s tempting when things get tough, but if you leave… I don’t know if you can come back.”
“I’m not going to run.”
“I’d understand if you did.” Olivia’s eyes move over me, and her voice drops even further, so I have to strain to hear her. “I won’t stop you, and I won’t tell Mason, but I’m asking you to think this through.”
“Olivia—”
Her expression shifts again. “Please. I know you and I don’t know each other well, and you don’t owe me anything, but I know my brother, and I love him. I’ve watched him become what our father wants him to be to survive and to protect us, and this… it’ll destroy whatever goodness is left in him.”
My heart thunders uneasily.
Olivia releases me and takes a few steps back. “At least think about what I said. It’s late. We should go to bed.”