“She was relieved to have her own vehicle back,” Denver replies gruffly, making me chuckle. I’m sure he’s the one who is more relieved.
We hang up, and I press the intercom button for my driver.
“Pull over on the next block, please? I need to make a stop.”
“Certainly, Mr. Beaufort.”
“What are you planning? You have that look in your eye,” Mal asks.
“Do I?”
He snorts through a quiet laugh. “Whatever it is, I hope the bastard doesn’t cause Halliday any more problems. She’s been good for you. I haven’t seen you like this for…”
I side-eye him, waiting for him to finish his sentence, but he shrugs. He doesn’t need to say it. I know what he’s thinking. What everyone’s thinking.
He’s never seen me like this. No one has. Because I’ve never been in true, can’t-get-enough-of-each-other love before.
Not like I am with Hallie.
And my whole family sees it.
“My flight’s at eight tomorrow morning,” he says, running a hand back through his sandy, slicked-back hair.
He colors his. He’d be more silver than me if he let it grow out. But Mal’s never been one to accept ageing for what it is—a privilege denied many. He’ll still be fighting to hold on to a part of the past until his deathbed calls.
“Give Ade and Sammy my regards.”
“I will.” Mal purses his lips like he wants to say something else. “You know, Ade will be trying to up his commission for the exports again.”
I bite back my smile. There it is. The same thing he brought up weeks ago.
“Yeah. And you’ll be reminding him of what a generous contract he already has. Just like Sullivan pointed out.”
“You assholes.” He chuckles.
I know he’s messing. He’s friendly with Ade, the guy who handles our mined imports from Africa, that’s all. He’d love to offer him a bigger cut to enjoy with his wife, Sammy. But this is business. We own and run our own mines, employing the team in Africa that Mal heads up. They get a good deal. We look after our staff. And for as long as Ade remembers and appreciates that, then we’ll look after him too.
But everyone gets greedy sometimes.
And some overstep, like bastards named Rory.
My driver pulls over, and I open the rear door.
“Circle the block a few times. I won’t be long.”
Mal peers at the building behind me and nods in understanding. “We’ll be waiting.”
24
HALLIDAY
“Interesting setup,”Sullivan comments as he studies the circle of crystals I’ve laid out on the living room rug.
Sterling went into Seasons early this morning, and I’m planning on calling some potential new clients before meeting him for lunch later. Sullivan hasn’t visited before unless Sterling’s been here, so it’s a nice surprise, despite catching me off guard.
“I was meditating. You can join me if you like?” I offer.
His brows rise sharply like I’ve suggested a stroll through Times Square stark bollock naked.
