Chapter 15
Instead of guiding him back to the table he’d been at, Julian said, “Walk with me.”
Cormac wasn’t sure where this was going, but managed to keep an eye on Daniela. She was smiling as she sat in between two women who looked like twins, though he knew that smile wasn’t real.
And he hated that she wasn’t comfortable even with her own family. He and she might have both lost their moms but he’d grown up knowing he was loved and cared for. Still had a solid relationship with all of his siblings. He knew how damn lucky he was. She should have had that too.
“You’ve been busy since you left,” Julian said once they stepped into a medium-sized greenhouse.
The rise in temperature was immediate, the lush foliage lining the shelves clear evidence that someone took care of this place.
Cormac couldn’t see Daniela now and it had him on edge, but he kept his expression casual. “As I imagine you have.”
“You can talk freely in here,” Julian said, motioning around. “It’s been swept for bugs.”
Cormac simply shrugged. He wasn’t planning to say anything incriminating regardless. Julian obviously wanted something from him, but he could only guess what it was.
“So why are you back?” Julian asked when it was clear that he wasn’t going to take the bait.
Or Cormac assumed he’d been fishing for information, a confirmation of his cover persona’s exploits. Julian wanted him to talk about what he’d been doing in the last few years. Luckily Micah had built out an impressive, but murky, rep for Connor Robertson.
“Pretty sure you know the reason.”
Julian blinked at him once. “For Daniela?”
“Obviously.”
It was clear he’d surprised the other man.
When he’d disappeared before, he’d left a note for Dani but he had no idea if she’d ever told her brother what it said.
He doubted it. Not long after he’d left, Julian had taken over and he was sure the other man currently had his hands full.
Either way, he was glad he’d left the way he had, keeping his cover intact. His only regret was hurting Dani.
He casually strode to the glass wall that overlooked the pool area. He could sort of make out Daniela through the hazy glass thanks to the color of her dress. Knowing she was still there talking to her cousins settled him somewhat.
“What do you want, Julian?” he finally asked as he turned around.
“Is this about Daniela? Did you find out the Popovs are lying? I can keep her safe if that’s what you’re worried about.
” He didn’t think that was the reason the other man had pulled him in, but he wanted to get this damn conversation rolling. Then over with.
“I’m still not sure about them,” Julian said with a casual shrug. But Cormac wasn’t fooled. He saw the anger in the other man’s eyes. He was pissed at whoever had come after his sister. “But I’ve looked into you.”
“I figured you would.”
“You’ve been very successful in the last few years. I want to talk business.”
Cormac held up a hand, shook his head slightly.
“I’m not with Daniela for her family or business connections.
And I’m very happy with my current partners.
” If he acted too eager, it would only make the other man suspicious.
Telling him that he wasn’t interested would make Julian want to work with him even more.
Humans really were irrational. A thought he’d had more than once.
“But most of your work is in Europe. Unless I’ve missed it, you don’t have any solid contacts in the US.”
Cormac paused, nodded. “True enough. And that’s fine with me.”
Before Julian could respond, the greenhouse door swung open and Logan Brown stepped inside, his expression neutral. But Cormac could see his banked anger when he looked at him.
“Toast is in ten minutes,” Logan said to Julian.
Julian nodded. “Thanks.” When it was clear that Logan was going to stay, Julian shook his head. “We’re good.”
And the other man did not like that. He set his jaw, but shut the door behind him. Only then did Cormac look at Julian. “You’ve got a problem with that one.”
Julian went very still as he watched him.
“Just some friendly, free advice, so take it for what it’s worth. The way he looks at your sister…” He trailed off, letting his anger show in his face. “I don’t care who he is. If he continues to harass Dani, I’ll take care of him one way or another.”
Julian’s jaw tightened. “Is that a threat?”
“Clearly. And not one I should have to make. She’s your family.” He paused. “If you show me that you know how to take care of your own, I might consider going into business with you. But Daniela is my priority and the only reason I’m back in the States right now.”
“Why’d you leave before?” Julian asked after a few tense moments. “You could have built a business here.”
He paused, as if weighing his answer. “I wanted to make something of myself, to be what she deserves.”
Julian was quiet, his expression unreadable. Then he cleared his throat. “I’ll talk to Logan. He’s not going to be a problem.”
Yeah, Cormac wasn’t so sure about that. But he simply nodded as the wheels in his head turned.
Because maybe he and his brothers could use Logan against Julian.
Build a case against him, make it look like he was skimming off the profits.
Something to make it look like Logan was going after Julian’s bottom line.
He wasn’t sure it would even come to that, but if he could get Julian to eliminate Brown, it would make Daniela’s life easier.
At this point, he would use any angle to help her. Getting her out from her family’s thumb was the end goal, but he needed to take out the biggest threat at the moment, Logan Brown.
Once they exited the greenhouse, he could feel Brown’s eyes on him, and even Alexander Hill, Daniela’s father, watching him.
He ignored them as he made his way back to the party.
Daniela stood when she saw him and he knew he didn’t imagine the relief in her expression as he approached. Pulling her close, he memorized the way she felt curled into him.
“Everything okay?” she whispered.
“Yeah, just business stuff.” He could feel her tension ease at his answer.
“Good. I think we can stay another hour then sneak out,” she whispered again.
Hopefully they could leave before then. For the next half hour they mingled, then when a man tapped a champagne glass, everyone turned toward him.
It was clear the guy was going to be the best man—and liked the sound of his own voice. As the guy droned on, Cormac scanned the partygoers and felt his hackles rise when he spotted Logan staring at Daniela with anger and disgust.
Then he realized Alexander Hill was watching him, his expression hard.
Cormac wasn’t sure what to make of it. He’d met Hill years ago, had barely interacted with him. The man had been running a criminal organization and Cormac had been very low level in his cover at the time.
Maybe her father was just sizing up the man with his daughter, but Cormac doubted it. He didn’t care about Daniela.
But Cormac did. And he would do whatever it took to get her out of this toxic mess.