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"What did I miss?" I turn to find Declan Beauchamp entering the room, Adrian Sovrano on his heels. Declan walks up to Michael and slaps him on his shoulder. "Didn’t expect to see you here, but can’t say I am surprised."
"Glad you could make it from LA," I add.
"I didn’t think I could, but something came up." His eyebrows crease. "Turned out, I had to be in London for a premiere. I could juggle around my other engagements to make the meeting."
Adrian walks up to Michael who holds out his hand. "Don." Adrian kisses the ring on Michael’s little finger."
If the others are surprised by the gesture, they don’t show it.
"I assume you’ve brought us together for a reason, Kane?" Nikolai turns to me.
"Indeed. If you could all take your seats?"
Declan takes the chair next to Sinclair, and Adrian the one next to him. Hunter walks further to take the chair at the foot of the table.
"Sorry I’m late." Liam Kincaid strides into the room. He grips my hand, then turns to the men. "Gentlemen." He rounds the table and drops into the seat next to Michael.
I glance around at the cast of characters—each one handpicked by me for what they can bring to the table. Each one a leader in his own right. Each one has a unique skill set which the others may not be aware of yet, but which will be revealed in time.
"There are two people missing."
Hunter glances around the table. "From where I am, everyone who matters is here."
"Except me," a female voice calls out, then a woman walks into the room. Dressed in a skirt that reaches to just above her knees, and a fitted jacket with her hair flowing around her shoulders, Zara sashays into the room. She walks over to where Hunter is seated and stares down her five-foot four-inch height at him. "You’re in my seat," she says haughtily.
"Am I now?" he murmurs.
"Yes, you are." She crosses her arms across her chest. "If you were a gentleman, you’d have offered me the seat."
"But you’re not a lady now, are you?" he drawls.
She stiffens. "You’re every bit the wanker I thought you to be, Mr. Whittington."
Of course, Hunter is known by face, but have the two met each other before? The two of them lock gazes; the seconds stretch by. Hunter smirks. She stiffens. Something passes between them.
"On the other hand, my mother taught me better."
He rises to his feet, gestures to the seat he’s just vacated, only to move to the seat next to her.
Zara takes her seat. "Thanks for having me, JJ."
"Zara Chopra, leader of the opposition," I introduce her. She’s not as well-known as Hunter, yet. But that’s going to change. It’s why I invited her to join the club. Best to get them in before they embark on the upward slope of their career trajectory.
Zara inclines her head in the direction of the table.
Hunter looks at her with interest, but when Zara turns to him, he changes his expression to one of indifference.Hmm.
"Who’s missing?" Declan asks.
"Edward Chase."
"Edward?" Sinclair frowns. "You mean the once Father Edward Chase, who has since left the Church?"
I nod.
"Myfriend Edward Chase?" he asks again.
"Precisely. I left him a few messages, but he hasn’t responded. He hasn’t been in touch with you, has he?"
