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And the lovely Sedona was doing just that, intent on keeping our filthy moment a dirty little secret. While exposing her could possibly be detrimental, I would be forced to do so if I was unable to determine another way. Perhaps karma had driven us together for a special reason.
“No, Mr. Von Houston, Mr. James is all yours.”
Baron looked at me, daring me to say anything else.
Sedona took a few seconds to gather her things, shifting her attention from one of us to the other before doing exactly what she’d done before, planting her hands on the table and leaning over. With her hair hanging down in front of her face, it was impossible for Baron to see the way she pursed her lips at me. “If your client is guilty, Mr. Von Houston, I assure you that I will discover it. And if so, I will prosecute him to the letter of the law. Is that understood?”
She obviously had no intention of backing down or giving into the fact we spent quality time together. For all the wrong reasons, that intrigued me even more.
“Understood, Ms. Beckett,” Baron huffed. I could tell by the way he’d issued the resigned statement that he had a feeling we knew each other.
The fire in her eyes was almost as attractive as everything else about her.
“Good. We will talk again, Mr. James. And very soon.” She headed for the door.
“I’m curious, Sedona. How’s that blouse now?”
She stopped short with her hand on the doorknob, glancing over her shoulder. This time, as we locked eyes, I sensed her increasing hunger.
Yes, we would be meeting again very soon. When we did, she’d quickly learn that her initial assessment of me had been right.
I would take what already belonged to me.
“Stop worrying, Pops. Everything will be just fine. Baron had me out on bail within two hours of his arrival.” I was pacing back and forth in my hotel room, a drink in my hand. Being arrested certainly hadn’t been on my agenda. The fact Ronan and his wife had been killed only hours after I’d left meant someone had paid attention to my arrival in town, finding the perfect opportunity to frame me.
‘Why’ was the question that required answering. Baron was none too happy when I’d provided only a few of the details regarding my meeting with them. He’d flip if he knew about my interaction with Sedona.
“That may be the case, Jonny, but you’re far enough away from home that it will be difficult to provide but so much assistance. You shouldn’t have gone to the States in the first place. I understand about your irritation with Sean Callahan, but we don’t need that business. You know that.” Bradford James was a brutal man by anyone’s standards, including his two sons. However, he’d parlayed what our grandfather had built from blood and sweat into a powerful empire, which was something both Gregory and I had to give him credit for.
I’d learned well from my father and his activities, becoming a man mostly inside Canada as well as other countries considered the most brutal in the world. I didn’t take the moniker lightly, nor did I take advantage of it. I had other interests than simply building additional wealth that could never be used in my lifetime. Or even in eliminating potential enemies.
I had hoped that my discussion with Ronan would result in a positive outcome. Never in a million years would I have believed it would end in murder.
At least not unless it had been by my hands.
“You are well aware that it was necessary,” I answered, aware of the concern in his voice. He might not be the warmest man, but he adored his two sons and always had. “I don’t like to lose in business or in pleasure. However, if it will make you feel any better, both my Capos are on their way and Baron is currently standing by my side.”
“That’s not enough,” he barked again. “Do you have any idea what happened? I want to head there myself to hunt the fucker down.”
“Not yet and you need to remain exactly where you are.”
“Do you even have an alibi?” Pops pressed, exhaling in exasperation.
I glanced at Baron, who had no problem sucking down my expensive scotch while listening intently. “Actually, yes, I do. A solid one.”
“Then I suggest you use it so you can get back to business. We have far too much going on. New worlds to conquer, my boy.”
My father often forgot he’d been retired for years, leaving the helm to his firstborn. I couldn’t blame him. He wasn’t the kind of man to enjoy a good game of golf or even poker. He lived and breathed work, which was my mother’s only real complaint.
“Don’t worry, Pops. I’ll be back in no time. Reassure Mother for me.”
“I will try, son, but you know how she is.”
“I know, Pops. I know.” As I ended the call, I heard Baron grumbling. “Do you have something to say to me, Baron?”
“If you have an alibi, then I need to hear what it is so I can call the prosecutor’s bluff before this shit gets out of hand.”
He was right but I wanted to ensure that I could protect her after the announcement was made. “I’m not ready to disclose that just yet and yes, I have my reasons.”
