Dove

by D H Sidebottom

  “On?” Jamie asked with a slight hint of hesitation.

  “If you can guess correctly.”

  He was just about to ask what I meant when I heard him laugh then clear his throat. “Gotta be white.”

  I smiled. “Pick me up at seven.”

  “You see,” he said, “this is why I make a good detective.”

  I chuckled and ended the call. Flick’s face materialised in the back of my head but I brushed it aside. Our relationship had been doomed since we were kids, and besides, after what I had planned, Flick would only be a memory – to take to the grave with me.

  “Is that the guy from the club?” Jem gushed before the call had even disconnected.

  I tutted at her and turned to Ren. “So, are you all ready?”

  She grinned, nodding wildly. “Yep. Marcus is picking me up at seven in the morning.”

  I pulled her into a hug. She was only to be gone a few days but we’d never been parted. Ever. She was all grown up, and I hated that it hurt me so much. Jem was watching us with an expression I couldn’t read but I felt her sorrow down to the marrow of my bones. Ren squeaked when I squeezed her extra tight.

  She turned to me and scowled when she saw my tears. “I’ll only be gone a few nights,” she grumbled, tutting before she fled up the stairs.

  Jem held my eyes and shook her head. “It’s a shame you won’t be here to hear all about it.” I didn’t miss the anger in her voice but before I could open my mouth she had walked out the door, slamming it shut behind her just to make a point.

  Jamie’s eyes slowly appraised the length of my body when I opened the door. Heat bled into his soft honey irises as they came back up and landed on my face. I’d opted for a demure black wraparound dress that accented the curve of my hips and gave the false impression I had a large bust. I was all for added help in that department. “Wow,” he breathed. “You look stunning, Miss Holland.”

  I smiled, appreciating his look too. He wore an expensive grey suit and teamed it with a crisp black shirt and matching tie, his impressive chest muscles pulling the material tight over his pecs and giving me a lovely view. “Likewise, Detective Anderson.”

  He grinned widely, my compliment obviously satisfying.

  “Come in.” I gestured with a swing of my hand. “I’m nearly ready.”

  He stepped inside, his eyes roaming over everything and assessing. I wanted to laugh when I caught him checking out the security on my windows and squinting to inspect the alarm systems cameras dotted around the place. I presumed with his job it was done automatically and I didn’t mind, it showed that he wasn’t just interested in what was underneath my dress - which made a refreshing change.

  He hovered as I applied the finishing touches to my make-up and slid into my shoes, then snatching up my bag I turned to him and smiled. “Now I’m ready.”

  He nodded, following me out. His gaze fixed on Gary as he walked up the path.

  “Hey,” I greeted, holding the door open for him. “Ren’s in the bath.”

  Gary gave me a smile and a nod before he turned and examined Jamie with a fixed stare.

  “Be sure to clean that spot just above her ass with extra care,” I called out over my shoulder as I took Jamie’s arm and pulled him out of their strange stare-off.

  Gary nodded as if he hadn’t actually heard my tease then swung his gaze away from Jamie and disappeared into the house.

  Jamie, holding the door to his car open for me, brought his inquisitive glare away from Gary to me. “Is your sister dating Kellan?”

  I squinted at him and glanced back to the house. “Kellan?”

  “Gary Kellan,” he rectified. I couldn’t work out the expression on his face, he looked angry but guarded at the same time.

  “Why?”

  He shook his head, dismissing my question before shutting the door and rounding the car to climb into the driver’s seat.

  There was an awkward silence for the first few miles, Jamie lost in his own mood even though he kept his face neutral.

  “So are you going to tell me how you know Gary?”

  He glanced at me then back to the road. “We used to work together.”

  I nodded, surprised he was open with me. “He’s Ren’s bodyguard.”

  Jamie frowned, his eyes remaining on the road ahead. “So you and your sister need protection?”

  I turned my face to the window. “It comes with the job,” I lied.

  Another silence broke out until Jamie pulled the car up in front of The Velveteen Rabbit, the swankiest restaurant in London.

  “Wow,” I breathed in awe, excitement curling through me. “You managed to get a reservation here?”

  He grinned at the sight of my own grin, giving me nothing but a wink as the valet opened my door and held out his hand to assist me out of the car. Jamie threw him the keys and held out his elbow. I smiled at him and linked my arm through his.

  The maître d smiled politely at us from behind his little lectern. “Good evening, Ma’am, sir. Do you have a reservation?”

  Just as Jamie opened his mouth, a huge round man bounced over to us and tugged Jamie into a hard squeeze. “Anderson, how the devil are you?”

  “Freddie,” Jamie said with as much enthusiasm, trying to reach around the sheer mass of the man to slap his back. “I’m doing well. Yourself?”

  Freddie grinned, his cheerfulness almost contagious, making me smile.

  His eyes came to me and his smile, if possible, grew even wider. “Well, if I’m not mistaken, the very beautiful Miss Dove Bliss. It is an honour to serve you in my restaurant, Miss Bliss.”

  I blushed at his gushing statement. “Thank you so much. It is a pleasure to meet you, Freddie, and finally I get to sample the delicious food that I’ve heard so much about.”

  Freddie pushed out his chest with pride and gave me a reverent nod. Turning to the maître d he boomed, “My brother and his beautiful companion must have the very best table and service tonight, Gregory.”

  Gregory nodded and held out his hand for us to follow him. I raised my eyebrows at Jamie who chuckled and pressed his hand to the small of my back as our guide led us through the busy restaurant and then into an elevator, which after ascending a number of floors, my heart in my chest the entire time, opened onto a stunning secluded veranda. Only five small tables occupied this exclusive section, and Gregory directed us to the only vacant table which was sat back into one of the darker corners. Tea lights and huge roaring fire pits heated and lit the dark area and our table looked out over London’s twinkling nightlife, the view simply mesmerising and making my breath catch in my throat.

  Gregory handed Jamie a wine list and then disappeared, leaving us to it.

  “Is Freddie your brother?” I asked as Jamie pushed my chair in under me.

  He shook his head as he took his place opposite me. “We both grew up in the same foster home. So in a roundabout way he is my brother in all aspects but blood.”

  I nodded, smiling. “You were an adopted child?”

  He tensed, his eyes scanning the menu. “No. I wasn’t one of the lucky ones.”

  His voice was quiet and he didn’t meet my eyes. Before I could apologise for the directness of my question he snapped his fingers to the hovering waiter and relayed his choice of wine.

  I sat stiffly, regretting my blunt question. It was obviously something that upset him, but I wasn’t to have known that. My eyes slid around the area. It was a nice little spot. All the tables were occupied by couples, romance heavy in the air. I smiled, noticing the scattering of rose petals about the place, and the faint flickering of the many candles adorning each table.

  Something inside my chest stuttered when my gaze caught one of the couples. My gut twisted and my throat dried up. Flick was with Jennifer, his wife - and supermodel-of-the-fucking-year. Her long glossy hair cascaded down the length of her back, the deep backless dress she wore making my teeth clench. Her eyes were fixed on Flick’s face, her teeth gently flirting with her bo
ttom lip. I saw the desire in her eyes, the need written all over her insanely beautiful face as she listened intently to what Flick was saying. Their heads were together as they talked quietly. It was evident Flick hadn’t seen me, and when he reached up to Jen and slid his thumb across her cheek, I winced.

  As if sensing me, Flick frowned and then turned his head to me. His eyes widened then narrowed. He sat back, a glare on his face when he spotted Jamie. And then he was up and out of his chair. He stalked across the room towards us as if he was a man on a mission – a deadly one. His strong stance made my blood heat, the way he arrogantly held himself making my thighs quiver. Flick was very much a man, from his deep calculating eyes to his strong stubbly jaw. His chest was hard, his shoulders wide and powerful. Every woman on the veranda turned to admire him when he passed them with long, almost graceful, strides.

  Jamie blinked then slowly turned to look at Flick who had come to an abrupt halt beside our table. “Can I help you?”

  Flick, completely ignoring him, pinned me under his stare. “I see you’re hard at work, Dove. Saving for a new dress?”

  If I wasn’t so taken aback by his insult I would have taken one of the fire pits and poured the contents over his fucking head – well, if I could have lifted something so heavy, but one can dream.

  Stunned for a moment, I nearly missed the slightest flicker of regret pass over Flick’s face, but as soon as I saw it, it was gone again. My heart thumped in my chest, anger coursing through my blood.

  “Oh, no.” I smiled sweetly. “Jamie is so good in bed that I always give him a freebie.”

  Jamie snapped his eyes to mine. I saw the humour in his eyes and relief poured through me. The last thing I wanted to do was offend him.

  Flick’s jaw hardened, along with his fists. Jen sauntered to his side, her eyes sliding longingly over Jamie – my date! “Is everything okay, darling?” she purred in his ear. Her hand skated over his forearm and her talons buried a message into his flesh.

  I quirked an eye at Flick, trying in vain to hide the hurt inside. “It’s good to see that you’re dealing with the more troublesome parts of your past, Flick.”

  Flick flinched as if I’d slapped him. He could see the pain in my eyes, the hurt that he could deal with some things but not the things I had begged him to move on from.

  Jen curled her lip at me, a look of utter disgust sliding down the length of me as though I was something she’d brought in on the bottom of her ridiculously high shoe. “And you are?”

  I licked my lips and pushed my chair back. Then, smiling at her, I held out my hand. “Dove Holland. I would say it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs O’Kane, but then my date for the night would find out I’m a terrible liar. And that wouldn’t put our relationship in good stead, would it?”

  She gawped at me. Jamie snorted and lowered his head. Flick looked like he was going to kill me. I grinned and shrugged. “If you’ll excuse us, we were just about to settle down for a delicious meal. I’m sure the look on your face would turn my mushrooms purple.”

  “For fuck’s sake, Dove,” Flick hissed, but I didn’t miss the faint twitch of his lips.

  “I’m sorry.” I pouted dramatically. “Am I being too honest for you? You know how much I abhor liars.” I slid my eyes to Jen. “Especially ones that lie to my best friends and hurt them by sleeping with their friend.”

  She froze, her eyes narrowing and notifying me she hadn’t missed the message. “Your best friend?” She barked out the most outrageous laugh and every head on the balcony turned to stare at her in astonishment.

  I smiled. “You really should get to know your partner before you marry him.” I clicked my fingers and rolled my eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry. Flick’s bank balance doesn’t come with any of his secrets.”

  Jamie was humming lowly, looking out to the night sky as his fingers tapped on the table top to the same tune. Flick looked at me as though he was going to capsize. And Mrs O’Kane swung back her arm and brought her palm at speed to my face.

  Grabbing it before it connected, I twisted it behind her and pulled her back against me. “If you hurt him ever again,” I whispered in her ear, “I swear to a God I don’t believe in that I will hunt you down and hurt you. In fact, scrap that. I will fucking obliterate you.”

  Her face was puce, her anger and embarrassment glowing brightly on her all too perfect face. Her teeth were buried in her bottom lip. She gave me a short nod and I released her.

  Taking my seat, I gave Flick – who was staring at me like he’d just witnessed a car crash – and Jen a hearty smile. “Now, please excuse us. I am here with my date for a pleasant evening.”

  I diverted my eyes from Flick, not wanting to see the disappointment, or whatever the hell was on his face right then. The thud of my heart was loud in my ears and it wasn’t until I watched them both move away that I glanced at Jamie.

  He had a soft smile on his face, his head tilted slightly to the side as he looked at me with a deepness I didn’t want to see.

  “Sorry,” I mouthed, feeling awful for ruining what he had tried so hard to achieve on our first date.

  He shook his head. “I like that you’re feisty. It’s quite hot.”

  I blinked. That was different.

  “Although I’m not sure I like the fact that you’re in love with your best friend.”

  I stilled, my body going rigid before him and doing nothing to hide the truth from him. “There’s that detective in you again.”

  “I should get a pay rise.”

  I lowered my eyes and attempted to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat when the waiter appeared with the wine, pouring a measure for Jamie to taste before he nodded and our glasses were filled. When he walked away I sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to mislead you or hurt you. I should have been upfront before I accepted your offer of dinner.”

  He waved his hand. “Look, I like you, Dove. You’re quirky, beautiful, gutsy, and bright. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about things developing between us but I’m also okay with this.” I stared at him. “How about we call it friends out for a meal?”

  I couldn’t hide my grin. “I’d like that. Very much.”

  We both shared a glance, our relief making us relax with one another. “So how’s work going?” Jamie asked with a genuine interest as he took a sip of his wine and eyed me over the rim of his glass.

  “Well it couldn’t ever be as exciting as yours, but I have decided that… there are more important things and I’ve retired.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Just like that?” When I didn’t offer any more, he said, “Can I ask why the sudden change of heart? Or should it be obvious?” His eyes subtly slid towards Flick who I was doing a good job of pretending wasn’t there – with his wife. Two tables away from us. In an immaculate grey suit. With a stunning grey tie. And teamed with Docker boots.

  I took a gulp of my wine and shrugged. “There are a lot of factors in it. But Flick is one of the reasons. I’m afraid I can’t…”

  He shook his head, lifting his hand to silence me as our food was served. “I understand completely, and I’m guessing it has something to do with the need for a personal bodyguard,” he continued when our server left us and leaned towards me. “There is one thing I’m dying to ask though.”

  I nodded, encouraging him as I slid a forkful of buttered asparagus into my mouth and silently moaned in pleasure.

  “Is it true that you have a prince on your client list?”

  I smirked and dived into my food. Jamie ribbed me all night for an answer but he was the most fun I’d had in a long time, and it wasn’t until it grew chilly and we realised it was well past midnight that we left. It hadn’t escaped my notice that Flick and Jen left not long after our confrontation. I wasn’t sure what to make of that.

  But I hoped he was happy, and that he hadn’t taken the bitch to bed.

  JAMIE PULLED UP in front of my house and turned off the engine. He turned to me, the streetlight highlighti
ng his handsome features in the depth of the dark car. “You fancy going to see the new Bond film tomorrow?”

  I pulled a face. “I can’t. I have to go away for a while.”

  His body tensed and he gave me a look I couldn’t read. “Oh?”

  I just smiled, not wanting to give him more details. He was staring at me like he was trying to figure something out. I quickly leaned forwards and placed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for tonight. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

  As I reached for the door handle his fingers curled around my wrist, stopping me. “Are you sure you’re okay? I’m here to help if there’s anything… bothering you.”

  I smiled at his concern. “I’m fine.”

  He continued to stare at me, something silent passing between us. My instinct told me Jamie Anderson knew more than he was letting on. I wasn’t sure how, or what, but eventually he nodded, breaking the connection. “Take care.”

  “I promise,” I whispered before I got out and quietly closed his door.

  Jamie waited until I had entered the house and switched on the room light before he pulled away. The house was quiet and I poured myself a quick drink, savouring the burn of alcohol to my nervous gut.

  Sitting on the couch, I pulled out the paperwork Jem had brought around for me earlier. The contract I’d had drawn up stared at me, the words merging into lines of blurry letters. Before I changed my mind, I quickly signed in the necessary places.

  The amount I’d managed to accrue over the last four years brought a much needed sense of comfort. I’d done it. Ren would be taken care of and that was all I’d wanted. I was ready now. I’d signed over the business to Jem, signed over my assets to Ren, and now all that was left was to sign myself over to Viktor.

  Pushing away the terror that had started to ride me, I sealed the papers in an envelope and went to grab a quick shower.

  The heat from the water over my tense muscles was therapeutic, driving the anxieties into the pit of my gut where I locked them up.

  Wrapping a towel round me, I left the bathroom and made a quick check on Ren, swiftly closing the door when I found Gary’s sleeping body snuggled up to her. I was happy for her. After what Felix had done to her I worried that she would never be able to accept the love of a man. Gary was perfect for her. He was patient and strong, and the way he looked at her told me everything I needed to know to put my mind at rest about leaving her.