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“Yes, sir. My wife...she does the household accounts and, well.... She is a bookkeeper and….”
Jason laughed, tossing his head back. In the midst of the ridiculous conversation, he couldn’t believe a man could be held in check by his wife’s ledger. “An ex-navy SEAL afraid of his wife’s tight rein on the money, eh?” Jason returned to his seat. “Lubinsky, you have a gambling problem, yes? Don’t hide it. I expect your wife keeps a close check on your spending. You get drunk on a job, break your vow of abstinence, and borrow money from this tight bastard here who is more interested in making money than friends. Yes?”
Lubinsky took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling. “My employers don’t know I’ve this problem, my gambling. I go to meetings when I can and stay clear of the Internet unless my wife sits by my side and supervises. I love her very much, and she has stood by me. There hasn’t been a slip up since the last time. I’m sorry the poor communication between my colleague and myself is based on such circumstances.”
Jason liked the man’s honesty. “Apology accepted, Lubinsky. Although, if something had happened to my wife, I wouldn’t be magnanimous. You would be heading back to the States unemployed. And in debt.” He turned his attention to the other man, who had a smug expression about him.
“I offered Leo a deal, sir,” said Dufour with a shrug. “He baulked at it. Refused to accommodate my repayment terms.”
“Your payment terms!” slammed Lubinsky. “You came up with them once you saw my compartment.”
Dufour’s fist clenched. “Your better one—”
“If you wanted the debt cleared,” interrupted Lubinsky, “you should have been realistic about it,”
“You may be my superior, but you should never have—” continued Dufour, speaking over Lubinsky.
“Shut it! The pair of you are like children!” roared Jason. “Dufour. You are piece of shit. Knowing this man had a problem, you lent him money, and you got greedy. You don’t have anything to say in mitigation or even seem the slightest bit apologetic. You will be replaced when we arrive in Monaco.”
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Dufour shrank back, his arrogance wiped out in a flash.
“I employ my own protection officers back in the UK, Dufour. They work as a team. A cohesive, supportive team I trust with Gemma’s life and mine.” His own team of exhausted bodyguards was on leave, too. He missed their diligent working practices. “If you can’t put aside your personal issues and work together, I don’t want you on board or anywhere near my wife. You will stay out of my sight. Away from Lubinsky. If I hear one thing from the rest of the crew that lends me to believe you to might come to blows, bad words, or anything other than courtesy to each other, I will ensure you are both fired from your jobs and fail to be employed by any other reputable security firm. Now get out!” he dismissed the stunned Dufour.
Lubinsky stood to one side, giving the other man space as he exited the room. “I’m truly sorry, sir. I should have refused to the job. We need the money. I’m still paying off debts. The gambling was my way of dealing with stress. My previous career was demanding—”
Jason held up his hand to stop the man’s outpouring of woes. “I’m not a counsellor, Lubinsky. Yes, you should have found a working arrangement before we arrived, or at least had the honesty to say you two can’t work together. I take it your employers don’t know about your dispute with Dufour?”
“Erm. No, sir.” Lubinsky went pale. “I had been holding the addiction at bay for some years. Six months ago, I had a bad coming off the wagon, so to speak.”
“We all have our vices, Lubinsky. Making sure they don’t take over your life is key to enjoying them in moderation. I’m not unsympathetic. I will pay off Dufour, and that will end your debt to him. You can pay me back without interest over the next twelve months. Would your wife find that acceptable?”
“God, yes. Yes thank you. Sir. I’m overwhelmed....”
Jason would have to tell Gemma he had almost reduced a Navy SEAL to a blubbering wreck with gratitude, not mortification.
“Shut up, Lubinsky. Get out and stay away from Dufour.” As the man touched the handle of the door, Jason spoke one more time. “My wife and I will be visiting a casino in Monaco. I suggest you stay on board and arrange for another to accompany us. Make sure this is all in place before we arrive.”
“Understood, sir.” With a brief nod, a palpable look of relief descended on Lubinsky’s face.
***
“His wife? See, women do hold all the power, Jason.” Gemma’s eyes brimmed with suppressed laughter.
“In his household, it would seem,” said Jason.
“You’re going to let me gamble, then. After that little tale of woe?” she asked, leaning over him on the bed.
“You can have a try. A simple card game, like Blackjack. You can practise before we reach Monaco.”
“How much will you let me have to put on my stakes?”
“Oh, you’ll have to wait and see.” He slipped a hand down her knickers. “Of course, if you lose badly, I will seek compensation. You will reimburse me in some way.”
“And if I make you loads of money?” She shivered as his fingers began to delve inside her.
“To be honest, the compensation and reward might be very similar.”
