The Price of Winning: London Calling Book Four (3 page)

“You know how sacred privacy is to me,” she’d said.
 

And he did. So he’d switched tactics and asked her to allow him to teach her some self-defense and basic fighting skills. Asking became insisting, and when she still denied his requests, he resorted to pleading.
 

Nothing. Again and again, she refused. Finally, she laid a hand on his arm. “Sebastian, I can take care of myself.” She called him by his full name when she was serious. It reminded him so much of his mother, who was also a poised and elegant woman. In some ways, he supposed Angeline was a friendly substitute for his real mum who lived in happy indolence in France with his father.
 

But he continued to worry that someone might slip through security when Angeline least expected it. He considered her one of his responsibilities even though she’d hate the very idea.

“Sebastian, you can stop hovering outside the door. I know you’re here.”
 

Her voice, slightly raised, startled him out of his thoughts. He pushed open the kitchen door. Angeline sat at a small breakfast table near a bay window. Her long chestnut hair was piled up in a messy knot and she wore noise-canceling headphones, which were plugged into a laptop. She folded her hands in front of her as he strolled into the room.

“How did you know? Especially with the headphones on?” He didn’t give her time to answer. “You shouldn’t wear those. Someone could sneak up on you, and you’d never hear them.”

A smile barely tilted one side of her mouth. “Like you did?”

He shrugged, a little impatient with her. “You know what I mean.” He looked around the kitchen, spying a French press. Waving a hand toward it, he asked, “May I?”

Her full lips moved into a grin. “Bas, it’s
your
kitchen.”
 

He frowned slightly.
 

“Have some coffee,” she amended. A tiny line creased her forehead.
 

Before she could speak, Sebastian poured his cup full and lifted it to his lips. He took a deep swallow then abruptly lowered the mug. “What the hell is in this?”

“Chicory.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Feeling nostalgic?”

“Actually—” she began. They were interrupted by the buzzer indicating someone at the gates outside.
 

Sebastian moved to the wall where a security device allowed him to see visitors. It was the same device he’d first seen and used at Madeleine Price’s penthouse in Chicago. He could testify to its effectiveness. He’d had monitors installed in nearly every room of the estate.
 

Sebastian pressed a button and Dominic Martin’s face filled the small screen.

“What are you doing here?” Sebastian rarely tempered his tone, and especially not with Martin. They’d formed an uneasy truce over the past months but hardly a friendship.

“I’m glad to see you too, sweetheart.”
 

Sebastian gritted his teeth. The other man was an invariable smartass. Before he could reply, Dominic continued.

“Let me in, Payne. Otherwise, I’ll come anyway and set off all those beautiful alarms I installed for you.”

Angeline silently sidled up to Sebastian. He glanced over as she delicately pushed an elbow into his side. “Please, boys. Allow me.”

He moved and Angeline faced the monitor. “Good morning, Dom. You’re right on time.” She pressed the button that opened the gates. “Come on in. I have croissants.”

Sebastian saw Dominic flash a lightning grin before the video clicked off. He eyed Angeline. “You invited Martin.” It wasn’t a question. Sebastian hated the wasted energy of asking about things with obvious answers.
 

Angeline’s eyes flickered. “Yes.” She offered no apology. “I deemed it appropriate for our discussion.”

She sounded firm, unrepentant. Sebastian was a man who’d grown up with the privilege of money and inherent authority. Rarely did he encounter an individual with a will as strong as his own. But Angeline Dubois Sinclair trumped him in spades.
 

He nodded, bowing his head slightly. “As you wish.”

She walked to the kitchen cupboards, removing plates, napkins, and cutlery. She took down a cup and poured another coffee, then added a dollop of cream. Waving a hand, she indicated Sebastian to come over. “Sebastian, please set the table.”
 

He felt like he was eight years old again. Except no one had expected him to set a table, or do any household chores, while growing up. They’d had servants for that, something he’d taken for granted most of his life. “Yes, ma’am.” He coated the words with sarcasm.

Angeline smiled broadly, undeterred by his surliness. “Finally. Some respect around here.”

The kitchen door swung open, nearly bouncing back on its hinges. Dominic Martin strolled into the room, arms outstretched. “Ms. Angeline.” His accent was pronounced and spoke clearly of the American South.
 

Angeline walked straight into Dominic’s arms, hugging him hard. Sebastian felt acutely disconnected. Despite the fact he preferred isolation, their obvious friendship made him feel uncomfortable, like he was missing out on something. He crossed to the breakfast nook and sat down, wincing as he bumped his knee against the table leg.

Angeline handed Dominic the cup of coffee she’d prepared. The other man lightly bussed her cheek then joined Sebastian. Sitting down, Dominic eyed him with ill-concealed humor.

“Sitting there, you look like a ten-pound ham stuffed in a five-pound sack.” Dominic chuckled outright.
 

Sebastian thrummed his fingers on the table, refusing to dignify Dominic’s colloquial joke. He was a large man, but without an ounce of flesh to spare. He looked Martin over, gauging the other man’s fitness levels against his own. He’d love to get him onto the mat for a sparring match.

Dominic turned to Angeline. “So what brings me here today?”

Angeline brought over a small basket filled with croissants. She and Dominic selected two filled with batons of dark chocolate. Sebastian deferred.
 

Smirking, Dominic tore a piece of the flaky pastry and held it out. “Live a little, Payne.”

Sebastian ignored him and reached instead for a plain butter croissant.

“Thank you, Angeline.”

Her eyes swiveled from him to Dominic. “I hope I live long enough to see the day when you two actually realize you are on the same side.”
 

He and Martin continued to measure each other over coffees and pastries.
 

“But I guess today will not be that day.” She sighed before pushing away her half-eaten breakfast. “Let’s get to it then. Sebastian, I think your plans are unwise.”

Sebastian breathed deeply. His suspicions for the reason for this impromptu meeting were correct. “I knew you would feel that way, which is why I’ve kept them to myself.”

Dominic dabbed his mouth with a linen napkin. “Anyone want to fill me in on what’s going on? I thought we agreed to transparency.”

“We did, but Sebastian also has an overdeveloped sense of protectiveness.” Angeline looked directly at him. “But he underestimated my resourcefulness when it comes to keeping tabs on you two. And I didn’t like what I found.”

Sebastian met her gaze and shrugged. “Fine. Natalie and I are working to set up a private event for some Russian businessmen. From my previous travels to Moscow, I believe they could be of significant importance. Not all of them are dirty, but a few are definitely involved in the pornography industry. It’s my belief some are trafficking and prostituting children.” He paused, rotating his neck to release the tension. “If we can, I’d like to entice them to London for a poker competition. During that time, I would ingratiate myself with the guests and optimally infiltrate the criminal group.”

“Why would they come to London to gamble? Why not stay in Moscow or wherever they’re from in Russia?” Dominic lounged back in his chair, arms crossed.

“Because Russia has essentially criminalized gambling since 2007. It’s still rampant, but becoming too risky for the individuals we’re targeting. They rely on favors and bribes with government officials. The last thing they want is to blow those connections because they want to roll a dice now and then. In the past two years, we’ve seen a higher influx of Russian membership in Club Hobart.”

Dominic leaned forward, any semblance of relaxation gone. “I don’t like this, Payne. You assured me Nat was safe.”

Sebastian also leaned in, his bulk making the breakfast table and dishes look child size. “She is safe. She’ll only be in charge of setting up the event and inviting the right guests.”

“Who happen to be child sex traffickers. Great, Payne.” Dominic ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it. “You and I have very different ideas about safety.”

Angeline stood, effectively seizing the attention of both men. She silently and efficiently stacked their dishes and cutlery before removing them to the kitchen. She turned and braced her hands against the counter, facing both men across the room from her.
 

“Dom, I agree.” She gave Sebastian her full attention. “I can’t condone this plan. Putting aside my immediate concerns for your safety—along with Natalie’s—it’s just a bad idea. We agreed long ago that we would not bring people to our front door, so to speak. I’ve kept silent as we’ve pushed that rule to its limit, most especially with the Club. You were right when you said it would bring the sort of people we’re after along with substantial revenues to help fund us.
 

But intentionally and deliberately inviting known suspects is a different matter entirely. It’s too dangerous. Too risky for all of us,” she swept her hand to include the three of them, “as well the innocent bystanders involved.” She walked back to the table, and both men rose in deference. Pressing her hands flat on the tabletop, she faced Sebastian. “You must stop. And shame on you for trying to do this behind our backs.”
 

She sat. Sebastian made his way back into his chair, as did Martin. Sebastian thought he saw a glimmer of quiet camaraderie in Dominic’s eyes.
 

Dominic cleared his throat. “May I make a suggestion?”

Angeline frowned, and a small crease manifested between her eyebrows.
 

Sebastian took her momentary silence for himself. “Go ahead.”

“As always, Ms. Angeline, you’re cool as a cucumber. But even though I’m the most recent inductee in this club of yours, I can tell that tempers are running a little high.” He smiled, and Sebastian noted that Angeline instinctively smiled back.
 

Martin used charm like a weapon.
 

“What do you suggest, Dominic?” Sebastian switched to a first name basis with Martin. The other man might be his only ally in the room.
 

Dominic grinned. “Take a breather. Think about it. Figure out if there’s another way to accomplish the same goal.” His brows lowered, and he fixed Sebastian with a level look. “Especially one that doesn’t endanger Natalie.”

Sebastian cocked his head to the side, thinking. Maybe he could come up with a different plan. He could admit his thirst to pursue and punish predators might have made him overlook some of the choices. “I’m willing to do that.” He swung his gaze from Dominic back to Angeline. “If you’ll both do the same.”

Angeline opened her mouth, but before she could utter any words, Dominic interrupted. “Deal.” He rose, scooting his chair back under the table. “And Payne, I’ve got just the place for you to cool your heels.”

Suspicious, Sebastian stood as well, arms crossed and legs braced wide. “Where’s that?”

“Chicago. You need to get away from all this for a bit. You’re too close to see how intense you are.” He smirked, obviously uncaring that Sebastian was glowering at him. “You can go see Moneypenny, patch things up.”

“Hell. No.”

“Hell,
yes
. You created a mess there, and you need to clean it up.” All signs of humor were wiped away.
 

“What do you mean?” Sebastian shifted, uncomfortable. “The last time I went to
patch things up
I got a face full of pepper spray for my trouble.”

Angeline gasped, watching as both men traded shots like a tennis match.

Dominic laughed, making Sebastian wish he could punch him. “Yeah, I know. Made my whole week, I can tell you.” He sobered. “But she’s worse than ever. She won’t leave the house. Won’t allow visitors except her parents.”

“Not even you?” This from Angeline.
 

“No. She makes excuses, but I know it’s anxiety. And I was just making progress with her. I got her all the way to the UK.” He pointed a finger at Sebastian’s face. “You helped break her. So you can get back over there and help fix her.”

“How the hell do you suggest I do that?” Sebastian was genuinely distressed to hear Madeleine had regressed into further isolation.

“You’re a big boy.” Dominic flicked Sebastian’s chest. “Figure it out. Unless you don’t think you can handle her? Again?”

“Do me a favor, Martin—stop talking. I’ll go visit your damn assistant.” He nodded tightly then immediately contradicted himself. “Will you at least call and warn her I’m coming?”

Dominic slowly shook his head. “Nope. I don’t want any attachment to this, in case you mess it up again. I don’t want to lose my assistant.”

Sebastian opened his mouth to verbally flay the other man then stopped short, knowing it would be useless. Instead, he strode out of the room, impatient to be alone.
 

He would go to Chicago, all right. He just hoped she didn’t have any more tricks to knock him flat on his back again.

***

Sebastian strolled down the busy Chicago sidewalk, dodging commuters, dog walkers, and puddles. The rain had finally stopped, but benches and tree leaves still hung with water drops that collected before dropping themselves on passersby. Even the air was damp. He breathed deeply, clearing his lungs and mind for what was to come.

Madeleine Price hated his guts. She’d made that abundantly clear during their last encounter when she’d shot him with pepper spray. His eyes watered just remembering it. Even worse, in the months since, there had been nary a word from her, let alone an explanation or apology.