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one meeting to make him realize that he d never forgotten her.
She was unfinished business. And he meant to finish it. And enjoy the process. And she would, too.
Though he d have to wait until his little problem was fixed, no way was she being anywhere near him
while some asshole was trying to blow him up. Afterward, when it was over, he would find a way to
reel her in. Once in his presence he was pretty sure she wouldn t be able to resist. The reeling in was
going to be the hard part.
He relaxed back in his chair and sipped his scotch, a smile tugging at his lips just as the door
opened and his father stepped into the room, Paul behind him.
Why the hell are you looking so cheerful? his dad said, throwing himself onto the leather sofa.
Didn t someone just try to blow you up? And why are you drinking at eleven in the morning. You
never drink in the office.
He raised his glass. Just celebrating being alive.
Hmm. His father didn t look convinced. Well, I came to tell you that the problem is sorted.
It is?
I told you I could sort it out. You should have let me do that from the start, and then you wouldn t
have gotten in this mess.
You were the one who wanted the company respectable, Declan pointed out. That means leave
the criminals to the police. So who was it?
You don t need to know, but I pulled in a few favors and they won t be bothering you again.
And they admitted it?
Well, the shooting they did, though they wouldn t own up to the bombing probably some
overambitious underling wanting to impress his boss and taking things into his own hands. But the
bottom line is they re not coming after you. We can cancel your babysitters.
Declan sat back and considered the information. Yeah, it would be good to get back to normal. Or
would it? Normal hadn t been that great; in fact it had been bloody boring. The last couple of days,
he d actually felt alive. There was something wrong with his reasoning, but he still couldn t deny it.
You don t look too pleased, his dad said.
He gave himself a mental shake. No, I am.
Good. Well, I ll call up and cancel the meeting with the security company.
Which meant no Jess for lunch. He couldn t believe the stab of disappointment right to his gut at the
thought.
It occurred to him that now there was no danger, there was no reason to keep her at a safe distance.
Problem with that logic was, that with no danger there was also no reason for her to come anywhere
near him.
Don t cancel the meeting.
What? His father had been on the point of rising. Now he sank back down.
I think I ll feel safer with some protection for a little while. Declan rubbed his arm over the
bandage. Just until we re sure I m in the clear. You said it yourself, they didn t admit to the bombing.
What if that overambitious underling decides to try again?
Oh, I m sure these people are capable of keeping their underlings in control. He studied Declan
through narrowed eyes. Could this be anything to do with your ex-girlfriend? I heard she spent a
rather long time in your office yesterday.
Declan glanced at Paul, who was standing by the window hands in his pockets. He didn t say
anything. Declan had always known he was his father s man but for the first time he didn t like the
idea he had a spy in his territory. Maybe it was time to get another assistant.
We were just talking about old times.
Why do I find that hard to believe? His dad shrugged. We ve got the money. If you want to play
some sort of game with your little ex, who am I to argue? He gave Declan one last look and rose to
his feet. By the way, your mother is coming over for my birthday in a couple of weeks.
She is? That was a first.
Yes, and she s bringing Penny with her.
What? Why the hell would she do that?
I invited her, he said, then hesitated a moment before continuing, I m worried about you.
And how does inviting my ex-fiancé to your birthday make me any safer? Maybe he should lay
off the scotch.
I don t mean the case. His dad shifted from foot to foot as though uncomfortable. You need a life
outside the business.
I m fine, he ground out.
You re far from fine. You re a goddamn robot, Declan.
His jaw clenched. He d done everything the family wanted of him and this was what they thought of
him? Something occurred to him then. Is that why you threw Jessica at me?
Maybe.
Declan shook his head. The scourge of the East End of London turned matchmaker. It seemed
inconceivable.
At the door his father turned back. But it worked. It s good to finally see some sign that you re
actually human, even if it has taken a bullet and a bomb. Your mother will be pleased. I ll see you at
the club.
Okay. I m going to check into the hotel first, get Grunt settled. His apartment had been trashed.
The damage from the explosion had been relatively small, but a fire had broken out and the smoke
damage was extensive.
As the door closed behind them Declan poured himself another scotch, sat back in his chair, and
considered the conversation. What the bloody hell did his mother have to do with it?
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