“And Lady…?”
“I saidpotentialscandal. She still has everything she ever wanted.”
“Oh. And you?”
“Ah. Yes. Me.” Nikolas pouted, seeming to be fascinated with his teacup, which had a picture of his wife’s lover on it. “Life is interesting, Benjamin. I came to England many years ago and was offered a strange opportunity. I took it, and it worked well. Until it didn’t.”
“Until?”
“Until I met you.”
“Oh.”
Nik smiled ruefully. “Then all the worldly things I had been offered were not so satisfactory.”
“The house, the money, the position, the authority, the title?”
Nikolas looked slightly sheepish. “You know me too well. Believe me or do not, but it is true—it all became meaningless. I wanted something I could not have, but then fate intervened and made having it possible.”
“You mean you got booted out on your arse, and now you’re at a loose end.”
Nikolas chuckled. “Resigned. And I am not at a loose end.” He took a drag on his cigarette, squinting thoughtfully at Ben through the smoke. He quirked his lips. “See? I have started smoking again. It is keeping me happily occupied.”
“Fuck me.”
Nik raised his eyes. “You really must stop asking me to do that. I keep promising you that I will. Perhaps that is now my cue to take you to the bedroom.”
Ben stayed still. His heart did one of those odd jigs, but this time not such a pleasant one. “So, you what…? You’re kicked out of your job, and you think I’ll come around to get fucked every so often for your convenience?”
Nikolas pouted. “Something like that, but, Benjamin—”
Ben stood swiftly, his chair tipping over. “I’d want paying, you fucker, now that you’re not stumping up for expensive hotel rooms for us to fuck in.”
“Stop being melodramatic, stop swearing, and sit down.”
“And you can kiss my arse if you think I’m gonna—”
“Benjamin! Will you shut up, please, for one moment?” Ben glared, didn’t sit back down, but was silent. “How would you feel about coming to work for me?”
Ben’s mind reeled. “As…as your—?”
“Don’t be absurd. Not like that. I am setting up my own agency. It is time. I need good people I can trust.”
“Private Black Ops? That’s different. And illegal?”
“Well, I prefer to think of it in terms of necessary operations—as our recent experience has shown. But yes, essentially, a private agency for off-the-record requirements.”
Ben picked up his chair and sat back down. “So, what was that about showing me to the bloody bedroom?”
Nikolas smirked and tried to hide it behind his tea. “I have four bedrooms. I have had one converted into an office.”
“You’re a very funny guy, do you know that? Beneath that bloody irritating exterior.”
“So, what do you think?”
“How much are you going to pay me?”
“That depends on the benefit package we negotiate.”
