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Bitter Lies

Page 86

by C.R. Riley

This catches my attention. “Where were your guards?”

“Where I told them to be. That’s not the point.” I can almost picture her rolling her eyes. “Besides, Lynette was there waiting where she promised to be when we got off the lift. Took care of him.”

“But if they’d been outside Alma’s ward like they should’ve been, he wouldn’t have gotten close enough to you to make you uncomfortable,” I grumble. “I’ll look into it.”

“Thank you.” She sighs, and it settles something in me I didn’t realize was tight. “Sasha’s also looking into it. But, well, I just felt like you should know and have the chance to do so as well.”

“I’ll handle it. By the time you’re back in London, we’ll know everything about him. I’ll be able to tell you how many times he shits a day.” I flick the envelope onto the desk, then return to the safe.

“Gross. I think that’s overboard, but whatever.” I hear Teddy’s voice welcoming them, before asking how much longer she’ll need. “Just a few.”

“You should go. I’ve got this handled.”

I stare inside the safe and grit my teeth. There are two more sealed envelopes.

One with Alma’s name on it.

One with Trent’s.

What the fuck?

“Thank you,” Isabel says, and I can hear her voice cracking. “For everything.”

“Ring me when you land.”

“And if I don’t?” She giggles, and my cock stirs.

“Your ass, princess, will be so fucking red you won’t be able to sit for a week without thinking of me.” The thought of spanking her makes me grow so hard my pants become uncomfortable.

“Sounds like a reason not to ring.” The click that comes over the line tells me she’s hung up.

No matter what happens, she’s getting my palm to her arse when I see her next, just because I can.

I set the other envelopes down and refocus my attention on them.

Three envelopes. Three names.

Isabel’s and Alma’s make sense. But why the hell is there one with Trent’s name on it?

I grab my mobile and dial another number. It rings only once before he picks up.

“What took you so long to call?” Darius’s clipped tone says he’s pissed. “I’ve been over here talking the princess’s brother off a cliff the second he heard his sister was involved with a criminal. I was this close to blowing your cover.”

He exhales sharply. “Thankfully, I didn’t have to. His wife stepped in. Reminded him that Isabel’s a smart woman and wouldn’t trust the wrong man. He’s let it go for now… but I know him well enough to know it won’t last.”

“I’d thank you, but I don’t care. Tell him to deal with it and move on. That’s not why I called.”

Taking a seat, I open Rico’s top desk drawer and find the letter opener. “I sent Teddy with her to Oxford. Pauly and Lane will be here in a few. I need help searching this place, and then they’re taking over her security. Figured you’d want to know.”

“That’s not your call.” Darius must think reminding me will make me reconsider.

“I’m making it my call.” After what I just learned, he can shove that reminder up his arse. “Her guards watch is over. They’re doing a fuck shit job. It’s unacceptable.”

I expect him to argue, but he doesn’t. The only response I get is heavy breathing. I’m assuming it’s because he’s regrouping instead of biting my head off.

“Fine. Pauly and Lane’s roles will be to cooperate with, not supplant her team. The backups. Is that clear?”

“We’ll see.” I pick up the envelope with Trent’s name on it and take a moment. Rethinking my actions, I find the drawer where I saw a stack of new envelopes and pull one out.