‘As you say, sir.’
‘Excellent.’He looks around, older than Lachlan has ever seen him.‘I am man enough to admit when I was wrong.You have surpassed my expectations.When we come to your two-year review, I will approve upfront annual payment,’ he says, clearly thinks he’s being generous.The concept of money doesn’t exist to Lachlan anymore.It only meant something when his cousin was re-mortgaging her house to pay for his mother’s medical treatments.Now that the debt is resolved, his bank account sits untouched, growing endlessly like hair on a corpse.He has no use for money, so this generosity means less than nothing.A real gift would be allowing Mimi to play with some kids her own age, but he knows that’s never going to happen.
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘Do you have any requests?’
‘No, sir.’
‘Then I’ll see you tomorrow.Oh,’ he adds, turning.Lachlan’s insides contract with learned dread, ‘before I forget, should Ariadne offer you recompense forplayagain, please do feel free to accept.While I appreciate your solidarity and professionalism, you have assembled a spectacular team and mounted excellent defences.I’m sure my son will survive forty-five minutes without you at some point in the night.’
Lachlan thinks of that woman’s fingers on his face, how casually she offered to let Jules join in.It turns his stomach, but he’s used to enduring this kind of thing by now without reacting.‘Thank you, sir.I appreciate the offer.’
Alistair cocks his head.‘You won’t, though, will you?’
‘No, sir.’
‘Tell me why?’
‘There’s a lot of reasons.’
‘Tell me thebig one,’he whispers, like they’re friends sharing gossip.‘Or shall I guess?’
‘It wouldn’t be professional,’ Lachlan informs him tonelessly.
‘The tattoo on your wrist is no doubtunprofessional, no?Loving my children whom you are paid to protect is less than professional too, I would think.Come now, be honest.We’re family, you and I.’Lachlan’s guts tighten.‘What is the material reason for your refrain?’
‘She’s not my type, sir.’
‘What is your type?’
‘I don’t think I have one, sir.’
‘You seem to like Miss Montbelliard well enough.’
Thatis most definitely a trap which Lachlan is smart enough to navigate.‘She’s my friend, yes, but I don’t feel that way about her.’
‘Who do you feel that way about?’
He’s pushing so fucking hard for it and Lachlan just doesn’t understand why.He probably never will and that’s for the best.‘If I’m being honest, sir, I don’t get feelings like that for anyone.Sex is fine on occasion, but beyond that, I have no interest.’
‘And do you like sex?’
‘It’s fine.’
‘Is it hard for you to enjoy yourself in the present moment?’Alistair asks, tone softly curious, eyes bright like an interested predator.‘Does the past eat away at the momentum you build?Is that why you liked fucking Mason Fenwick that one time?I suppose it was.What a strange man you are, Lachlan,’ he muses and then blinks, neutral once more.‘Meet with Maddox.He has a few suggestions for the party.’
‘Yes, sir.’
Lachlan watches him go, buys himself a moment to get level and then goes about his duties.
?
‘But I wanna come protect you!’Mimi insists.No longer obligated to come to this party, it’s now all Mimi wants.‘I be a good wall!’
‘Babygirl, you’re gonna snuggle with Bee and she going to read youthreestories tonight, aren’t you lucky?’
‘Afterthe party.’
