"He into guys?"
"No. He lost everything, and I mean everything, on Christmas Eve many years ago. He doesn't see any woman but her."
"Oh, bloody hell, that's got to hurt. I can't imagine his pain."
"Yep, please don't ever tell him I said anything. It's why he became a cop. Like myself, he wants to keep others from feeling what we do." Duncan walks to me and pulls me into his arms.
"Okay, baby. I just want you to talk to me. You keep yourself so closed off. I want to be your sounding board too." He leans down and kisses the top of my head. Joshua walks back into the flat.
"All ready to go?"
"Yes," Duncan says, taking my hand. I grab my purse as we walk out.
We hit the depository first in Knightsbridge. I got Mother’s ring and earrings, put in the new power of attorney and will, and pulled out some of the stashed cash. I want this off the books. I look into the bottom of the box and see my father's Commando Bowie knife. I pull it out and look at it carefully. I test the weight, it's heavier than my other knife, but I feel close to him holding it.
Maybe it'll remind me why I can't let Duncan get close. I worry about the danger Greg is in now because of me. I don't want Duncan’s or Greg's families to go through what I'm going through now. I can't let that happen. I put the knife into myright cowboy boot, as my personal knife is in my left. It is bulkier, but I don't have any other place to carry it.
Duncan has asked me not to walk around armed and I'm trying, so I only carry knives instead of my gun. Until this stalker is taken care of, I'll be armed at all times. He'll have to understand this part of me if he wants to be with me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
MAYA
As we pull up to Securities International, I'm quite impressed with the building. The location is a newer, secure building near city hall in the London Bridge area. We head up to their office and I like the decor; Ana could decorate it better though. There's a receptionist at the desk, both Duncan and Joshua nod at her. Her very red hair and striking green eyes are the first I see, but then she stands and towers over me, and smiles.
"Hello, Rebekah, tell Meghan Merry Christmas. Did my gifts get delivered?" Duncan says to her.
"Yes, Duncan, we got them. You didn't have to do that." She smiles at him and my gut clenches. This is the woman he could have if not for me.
"Take care, give Meghan hugs from me," Duncan says as we round the corner into Joshua's office.
"You make your staff work on Christmas Eve?" I say snarkily. I know it was not nice, but I'm jealous now.
"Rebekah is only here for a couple of hours today. She needed the hours and I needed her to answer the phones for a little bit." Joshua heads to his large desk to take a seat and indicates for me to take a seat across from him. "Okay, Maya, what can I do for you?"
I calm my nerves by taking a quick look over his shoulder at the view of London. I can see the river, the bridge, and many other sights from here. It’s breathtaking.
Straightening my shoulders, I turn to Joshua and look him square in the eye. "As I was working out this morning, I came up with some ideas. I want you to do a background check on Jonathon Davidson and all his friends. I want you to fine-tooth comb his life. He's into something, and I know my gut is right that he's abusing Ana. I also know that Lawrence is following Duncan and me. I saw him again last night when we were leaving the flat to come get you. I'm not sure yet if I want a tail on any of them. As I said earlier, my stalker left no prints, so I'd like to know what your man is able to find. Also, if you tail Ana, they've got to be real good, because if Jonathon finds out, it could be bad. I also find it interesting that right after Jonathon and Lawrence found out about Duncan, my condo was broken into. Somehow my stalkers and these idiots are connected." Both men look at me carefully.
"You think that bloody git is beating my sister and this is your solution? You also noticed a tail and didn't tell me." This is why I waited to tell Duncan my plans.
"I don't think, I know. However, she needs to want out, we can't pull her out yet. If we pull her out now, she'll run rightback to him. I think he threatened us to keep her with him. She won’t confirm it, but I can tell she doesn't love him as she should. I've made sure he can't do permanent damage. As for the tail, I was watching him and you'd have noticed if not for me distracting you."
"Bloody hell, Maya." Duncan is angry, but Joshua is silent. He looks like I do when I'm waiting for a mark in my scope. He's the reaper and death is waiting for someone. Yet, I also see a flash of something else in his eyes. He knows something. Joshua pulls a key from the center drawer, opens another drawer, and opens a box with the key.
"Here. I already ran him. I'll put a detail on him and Stephan. As for Lawrence, I'll have him run now. Anyone else?"
"You ran Jonathon already?" I look at Joshua with a mix of surprise and concern.
"I ran all of your backgrounds."
"What?!" Now I'm angry. He ran my background?
Oh crap! He could have found out what I've been hiding from Duncan. The past I wasn't planning on telling him. I start to rise and feel the panic prickling my skin. I need to get out of here. Running has always been my way of escaping.
"Yes, Maya, I know." He looks at me carefully.
Oh God, he knows. My breath comes out in a gasp and my chest constricts in pain. Greg helped me bury that so deep the MPD couldn’t find it, how did he? The only knowledge my job has is that I have a counselor on retainer in Boston. I continue to rise out of my seat.
