aHunter4Trust (8 page)

“What is a hook up?” Darrogh asked.

Tamsin’s cheeks heated. “I found them in
bed together.”

Darrogh’s expression hardened. “He has no
honor.”

“Nobody asked your opinion.” Winchester
shifted his position on the chair, the metal squeaking with each move. “I’d
prefer you to leave so I can talk to Tamsin.”

“I will not leave her alone with a
dishonest man.”

Darrogh leaned closer. His presence was
menacing and Tamsin had to stop herself from laughing at the expression on
Winchester’s face. For the first time in his life, someone was standing up to
him. His charm and looks were not going to help him.

Winchester hesitated a second and then
looked at her. “Your father has told me about the threats he’s been receiving.
I think we should go ahead with the marriage.”

“I know you don’t care about my safety, so
what is this really about?”

“It’s a good business move.” Winchester
lowered his voice. “I miss you.”

“You think that if you marry me and I die,
you’ll get everything.” Tamsin’s voice hardened. “Do you take me for a fool?”

“I know you’re still angry, but I’m trying
to help.” Winchester sounded sincere. “Your father thinks that if we merge the
banks we’ll be strong enough to prevent a takeover.”

“There’s no guarantee that will stop the
bank from being seized.”

“I could protect you.” Winchester’s voice
took on a coaxing tone. “Together we can fight these people.”

“You are not equipped to fight them.”
Darrogh’s voice interrupted. “You cannot help.”

“That’s not true.” Winchester paused for a
second. “They’ve contacted me. They’ve assured me that if we marry, they will
leave you alone.”

Tamsin blinked. “Why would they care if we
were married or not?”

Winchester shrugged. “They like the idea of
the banks being one. It fits in with their plans I suppose.”

“What plans?” Tamsin asked.

“They have a vision of a global community
where every person on the planet would have a decent life.” Winchester’s voice
was full of enthusiasm. “I know how interested you are in solutions for the
Third World’s economic freedom. Now’s your chance to get on board with a group
that can make that happen.”

“Why the sudden interest in those less
fortunate?” Tamsin’s defenses were triggered. “You always thought my plan for
creating banks in the poorer countries was crazy.”

“I’ve changed. “Winchester cleared his
throat. “Since losing you, I’ve realized what’s important in life.”

“You lie.” Darrogh’s harsh tone broke the
spell that Winchester was weaving. For a second Tamsin had almost believed him.
“What is the real reason?”

Winchester started to speak, but stopped
when the waitress came to their table. They all ordered coffee and once the
woman left, Tamsin turned back to Winchester.

“You were about to tell us the truth.”

“Ouch.” Winchester grinned. “You haven’t
loss your sharp tongue.”

“I’m waiting.”

Winchester lowered his voice. “This is our
opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something big. We’ll be rich if we
tie our future to these people.”

“You will be dead if you do.”

Darrogh’s words were met by silence.

Winchester shook his head. “What do you
know about these people? You look like you’ve never left a gym long enough to
see the sunshine.”

“I know from experience.”

The waitress came with their coffees.

Darrogh was glad that Tamsin had not
dismissed his words as quickly as her ex-fiancé. The man was a fool. She was
lucky to have escaped marrying him. It had taken all of his training to stop
from throttling Winchester when he had admitted to betraying her in such a casual
way.

If a Hunter bonded, it was with only one
mate. Even death could not break the bond. Darrogh had scoffed at the idea of
such a pair bond even though he had seen some of his unit find mates on this
planet. He had refused to believe.

Meeting Tamsin had changed that.

He was connected to her.

He was seldom in the presence of women and
now he was with Tamsin all the time. That was the only reasonable explanation
for how he felt. To accept that Hunters could pair bond was not an option.
Having a mate was forbidden for a Hunter and he still lived by the code that
had kept him alive on Cygnus. The best thing he could do was find out who was
targeting Tamsin, kill them, and then leave.

“What experience?” Tamsin asked as soon as
the waitress left.

“This organization is run by the Albireons.
They are a race that will harvest everything they need from a planet and then
destroy it.”

Winchester’s mouth dropped open. “Where did
you get this guy?”

“My father hired him.”

Winchester shook his head. “These people
are businessmen. They only care about a profit.”

“That is true.”

Darrogh could not deny that the Albireons
sought revenue. Their business was harvesting the resources and genes from
planets so that they could create recombinant species that they could sell as
slaves. That was where the real income was in the universal genetic market.

“They wish to use your genes.” Darrogh
chose his words carefully. Most humans were unaware that there were
non-terrestrial species on Earth.

“They’re interested in genetics?” Tamsin’s
voice was doubtful.

“They collect different species’ genomes.”

“And that includes humans.”

Darrogh nodded. “Once they have all that
they need, they will take over everything and destroy you.”

“Wow.” Winchester chuckled. “You should
write fiction.”

“Why would you think this?” There was a
slight tremor in Tamsin’s voice. “Everything points to this being a simple
corporate takeover bid.”

“That does not explain the threat on your
life.” Darrogh could see the wariness in Tamsin’s eyes and decided to go for
the logical approach. “Do corporations threaten to kill if they do not get the
businesses they want?”

“Not legitimate ones.” Tamsin frowned.
“That makes Albirsion Corporation illegal and corrupt, not killers seeking
world domination.”

“I don’t care if they want to control the
whole world.” Winchester announced. “This is our chance to get in on the ground
floor. These guys are offering us the opportunity to control the world’s
banking operations.”

Tamsin looked down at her coffee. “That
sounds as if you’ve been in negotiations with them.”

“There’s nothing wrong in listening.”
Winchester shrugged. “Once we’re married and our banks are merged, then the
world is open to anything we want.”

Darrogh held his breath as he waited for
Tamsin’s answer. He shouldn’t care if she chose to marry this man, but he did.

“I don’t want to marry you.” Tamsin looked
up. “I don’t care about controlling the world’s banks or working with this
corporation.”

“They will take your father’s bank whether
he agrees or not.” Winchester tapped his forefinger on the table. “This way
you’ll have a say over what they do with the assets.”

“You sound very certain of this.” Darrogh
was not fooled by the smooth talk of this man. He was hiding something and he
wanted to know what. “When did you speak with these people?”

“I had a meeting a couple of days ago.”
Winchester turned his back on Darrogh. “Look Tami, this is between you and me.”

“Don’t call me that.” Tamsin straightened
her back. “I didn’t like that nickname even when we were a couple.”

Winchester held his hands up in a
conciliatory motion. “No problem. We need to say yes to these guys and get
things rolling. The sooner the merger takes place, the sooner we’ll start
raking in the bonuses.”

“Is money all that is important to you?”

Winchester’s eyes widened. “Of course. It
should be important to you also. Money is the commodity that banks deal with.”

“That doesn’t mean it has to rule your
life.” Tamsin shook her head. “Money is a tool, nothing more. It’s what you do
with it that matters.”

“You mean spend it.”

“I mean use it for good.”

Winchester shook his head. “You need to
help yourself first. This is your opportunity to get in front of this before
your family’s bank is taken out.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

“There’s no stopping it.” Winchester’s
voice was bitter. “Trust me. The sooner you accept these guys, the better.”

“It sounds as if you already have.” Darrogh
could tell from Winchester’s expression that he was right. “How long has your
family bank been in their control?”

“Two years now.”

Tamsin gasped. “Why didn’t you tell me
sooner?”

“What difference did it make? As long as we
married and the banks were merged there was no need for you to know.”

“You never intended to tell me about the
threat to my father’s bank.”

“No.” Winchester’s voice was harsh. “I
would have been in control of everything. Neither you nor your father would
have known the difference. You could go on with your idealistic daydreams, and
your father would have retired. Instead, you called the whole thing off.”

“I caught you in bed with my best friend.”

“Liz was hardly your friend.” Winchester
scoffed. “You didn’t seem too interested in that aspect of our lives anyway. A
man has needs and if his fiancée is unwilling to fulfill them, then he will
look elsewhere.”

“So now it’s my fault that you cheated?”
Tamsin’s voice was full of disgust.

“Yes.” Winchester threw himself back in his
chair. “You’ve been given a second chance to make this right. Take their offer.
You’ve been warned. They will kill you.”

“The penalty for threatening the life of a
woman is death.” Darrogh pushed his chair away from the table. “A man that
would carry the threat of another is either a coward or a monster.”

“I’m being realistic.” Winchester’s voice
had lost its charm.”

“You’ve already sold out.” Tamsin’s tone
was filled with disgust. “How could you?”

“It’s called survival,” Winchester hissed.
“You should try it.”

“Your family’s bank is almost as old as
ours. What about your obligation to your clients?”

“I can’t help them if I’m dead.” Winchester
raised an eyebrow. “You should consider their offer. You could negotiate
start-ups for your charity banks.”

A feeling of unease crawled up Darrogh’s
back.

Danger was near.

He looked around the café. Nothing had
changed. Firbin was still sitting at the table beside them, his hands hidden in
his jacket to conceal his weapon. Jehon sat at the door, guarding the entrance.
Kerm was in Tamsin’s car, ready to drive them if something happened. Savis was
in the communications van parked in a side street where he could keep an eye on
the building. Breanon was on the roof of the next building, guarding rear and
side entrances.

“
Report.
” Darrogh’s command by mind
connect was sharp.

“No activity,
” Breanon said. “
No one has entered or left from the rear or side
.

“
Two men dressed in long black coats
have walked past the café twice.
” Savis’s voice was tense. “
Permission
to intervene.
”

“
Stay at your post. Jehon will pursue.
”
Darrogh looked behind at Jehon and nodded. Jehon stood and left the café. He
went outside and leaned against the building. If the men passed again, he would
follow.

Darrogh still had a sense of unease. “
Firbin
be prepared to move.
”

“This will be the last time they negotiate
with you.” Winchester was still trying to convince Tamsin to join the Albirsion
group. “These are very powerful people.”

Tamsin shook her head. “All the more reason
to say no.”

“You’re a fool.” Winchester stood and threw
some bills on the table. “I should have saved my breath.”

“I can’t sell out the bank or my father.”

Winchester gave a short laugh. “I convinced
the group to let me give you another chance because I felt I owed it to you.
We’re even now.”

“There is no forgetting what you did.”
Tamsin shook her head. “Do you really think threatening me would make your betrayal
go away?”

Winchester leaned over the table. “They’re
going to kill you. What will happen to your father’s precious bank then?”

“At least it will still be his.” Tamsin
voice was quiet. “What does your father think about what you’re doing?”

“I run Nethercott Bank, not him.”
Winchester’s face was scrunched into a fierce scowl. “I make my own rules.”

“As long as the Albirsion Corporation
agrees.” Darrogh stood and held his hand out to Tamsin. “We need to leave.”

Firbin walked toward them.

“These guys won’t be able to protect you,”
Winchester said with disdain. “You haven’t a clue what you’re dealing with.”

Darrogh put his body in front of Tamsin. “I
know exactly what I am dealing with. You are the one who doesn’t realize how serious
the situation is. You can tell your Albireon friends that they have Hunters on
their trail now. We don’t stop.”

Winchester shook his head. “Do you really
think they’ll care?”

“Yes.” Darrogh motioned Firbin to go out
the back door. “I’ve defeated them in more than one battle, and I will do so
again.”

“You’re not making sense.” Winchester took
a step back and glared at Tamsin. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Darrogh watched Winchester walk out of the
café. He still had the uneasy sensation of being watched. He did not know where
it was coming from. Firbin was standing at the hallway to the back exit.
Darrogh scanned the café once more and noticed a short bald man in a large
overcoat. His eyes looked down when Darrogh focused on him. There was no doubt
that he’d been watching them. He seemed to be fiddling with something in his
pocket.

“
Is the rear still clear?
” Darrogh
asked Breanon.

“
Yes.
” Breanon’s voice was matter of
fact.

“
We’re coming out.
”

“
Is there anyone out front Jehon?
”

“
They followed Winchester.
”

“
Maybe he is the one with the problems
with the Albireons,
” Darrogh said in a dry voice. “
Meet us at the exit.
”

“
Savis bring the van to the back exit.
”

Firbin shielded Tamsin from the front and
Darrogh brought up the rear. The man in the overcoat stood at the same time.
Darrogh was going to find out why he was watching them. Once outside Darrogh
motioned Firbin to stand to one side. He took the other side. Jehon guided
Tamsin to the van which now blocked the laneway.

They waited.

It took a couple of minutes before the door
was opened a fraction of an inch.

That was enough for Darrogh. He pulled the
door wide and grabbed the man by his collar. Darrogh hauled him out of the café
and threw him up against the wall.

“Who are you?”

“Nobody.” His voice shook.

“Why were you watching us?”

The man shook his head. “I was having a
cappuccino.”

“What’s in your pocket?” Darrogh lowered
the man to his feet. “Firbin check it out.”

“You can’t do this,” He protested in a loud
voice.

Firbin pulled out a small camera. He turned
it on and started to scan through the pictures. “He’s been following us for
some time.”

Darrogh clenched his jaw. “How bad?”

“Enough to know that you guys are up to no
good.” The photographer jutted his chin out. “I’ll take this to the police.
We’ll see what they have to say about you detaining an innocent man and
stealing his camera.”

Firbin put the camera screen in front of
Darrogh. It was a picture of him carrying Tamsin away from Saxby’s apartment.
Darrogh clenched the man’s arm and moved him to the van. He pushed him onto a
seat and nodded to Savis to drive.