“Yes.”
London sucks in a harsh breath. “I heard an alliance mentioned. She’s part of it, isn’t she?”
I move to stand directly in front of her. “Ask me what you want to know, London.”
She searches my face.
She doesn’t say anything for a long moment, and I see the gears turning in her mind as she studies me.
Finally, she takes an uncertain step back. “The alliance between the two of you, it’s not just about business, is it?”
“Ask the goddamn question.”
London clenches her hands into fists. “It’s personal. Your father brokered some kind of deal in exchange for her family’s help.”
“Yes.”
London inhales sharply. “How personal is it?”
“Do you really want to know?”
She gives me a small nod.
“We’re pretending to be engaged. Thatcher has been trying to ally himself with one of the powerful families for years, and we need the numbers and resources.”
London presses her lips into a thin, white line.
I move closer and wait for her to look at me. “You know there’s nothing between us. You know there’s no one else.”
London’s face gives nothing away. “Do I? I only know what you tell me.”
I frown. “Do you have any idea what I’ve risked for you? And keeping you here when my father is a breath away, waiting for me to fuck up…”
“If I’m such a liability, why are you keeping me around?”
I bark out a laugh. “Goddamn feelings. My father was right about them being a hassle.”
London stares at me in disbelief.
“Elise Thayer and I are not involved in any way that counts,” I say slowly. “It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement championed by our families.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Silence stretches between us.
London runs a hand through her hair. “What did you think I was going to do? Did you think I would cause a scene or go to the press or something?”
“No.”
“Bullshit. You were worried about my reaction. You’re the one who insisted we be honest with each other and not keep secrets.”
“You knew who you were getting involved with.”
London points a finger at me. “Don’t you fucking do that. Don’t act like this is myfault when you’re the one who doesn’t know how to be in a relationship. So, there are parts of your job that I won’t like and things you have to do. I can wrap my head around that.”
“Including the fact that I have to drape myself over another woman in public?”
London winces. “I’m not crazy about it, but I know there’s a lot about this—your—world that I don’t know. What I don’t appreciate is being lied to.”
