His hands move to my tie. After he adjusts it, he surveys me again, and it takes every ounce of self-control I have not to wipe the grin off his face.
The arrogant bastard thinks he’s won.
I hate letting him think he’s got the upper hand.
Be smart about this. What good will it do to have him know? Other than the fact that he’ll be breathing down your neck. And that’s assuming Elise doesn’t pull the plug.
We don’t need more enemies.
“You will do whatever the fuck Elise tells you to do,” Jack adds. “I don’t care what it is you need to do to sell it.”
I nod tightly. “I know what I have to do.”
He offers me another meaningful look before turning his back on me. Carlisle is waiting for us outside the office. He falls into step beside me, bringing me up to speed. At the end of the hallway, I turn right and spot a flash of movement.
When I turn to it, my stomach lurches as I notice London leaning over the counter, with Katia standing opposite her. Katia draws herself up to her full height, and London swallows as her eyes land on me. She stands up straighter and squares her shoulders as her eyes dart back and forth between my father and me. I ignore Jack.
Once he disappears, I cover the distance between us. “What are you doing here?”
“Even prisoners are allowed some free time now and again,” London says. “Another work meeting?”
I clear my throat. “Nothing I’ll enjoy.”
London raises an eyebrow. “You should’ve gone for a cheaper suit.”
I frown. “Appearances matter. You know that. Since we’ll be out, you can go for a walk around the estate. Katia can accompany you.”
London purses her lips. “I want to go see my parents.”
I run a hand over my face. “We’ve already discussed—”
London holds up a hand. “I know how dangerous it is, so I’m coming to you first. Don’t make me regret it.”
“What happened last time won’t happen again. You know I’ve made sure of it.”
London clenches her hands into fists. “I thought you said I wasn’t a prisoner?”
“You’re not. Think of it as being a visitor to a foreign country. Certain steps and measures need to be taken to keep you safe, and some areas are strictly off-limits.”
London’s eyes flash. “My parents can’t be off limits forever. I am not a helpless child. I’ve been training—”
I interrupt her with a humorless laugh. “You think that a couple of weeks of training is enough to prepare you for what’s out there? Don’t be naïve.”
I am not going to let her put herself in danger.
Not after how close she came to dying last time.
And I don’t fucking care if she hates me for it.
London’s expression darkens. “And if I’m underprepared, whose fault will that be?”
I place my arms around her and pull her to me. She stiffens. “I don’t want to argue with you about this.”
London searches my face. “I don’t want to argue either.”
I give her a quick and rough kiss, and she melts against me, threading her fingers through my hair. My pulse quickens when she runs another hand down my back and stops at my behind. One arm remains wrapped around her waist, and the other darts under her shirt, finding her bra quickly.
London’s breath hitches as I squeeze. “That’s not fair.”
