True Peril

by Veronica Forand

  Chapter Eleven

  As if he didn’t have enough stress in his life, Dane received hourly phone calls from Greg about his progress on finding a way to appease the Indian Defense Ministry through the Pelican deal. Dane had a few ideas, but nothing concrete to present yet. Most of his thoughts circled around Eve and her adamant refusal to leave Simon and the least safe job in the world. He ended up staying at Simon’s house all night, falling asleep on the couch and waking to the sound of Simon and Eve leaving for a meeting he wasn’t invited to.

  When Cassie disappeared into her office to work, he took a drive to clear his head. The drone sale would take place in a week, with or without the United States involved. And if he failed to convince the military wonks in India that U.S. technology was better than China’s cheaper, but less reliable, innovations, he’d be sent back to an office on the East Coast. He’d never had so much trouble staying on task, but he couldn’t leave London without trying to convince Eve to come with him and at least take on a more peaceful occupation.

  He cruised around the countryside until he located a bed and breakfast five miles from the Dunn residence. The quaint little cottage had a spare room he could use for the next two days while he tried to balance the two big headaches in his life.

  That night, he received an invitation to dinner and took advantage of it—a chance to see Eve and a meal prepared by Simon. His friend had created a vegan butternut squash and mushroom tart so amazing, Dane didn’t notice the lack of meat. The man had a talent with food.

  Eve sat across from Dane. Her brown hair, tousled in a way that made a man think of hot sex and a soft bed, was the perfect contrast to the cream-colored Irish knit sweater she wore. She rarely looked up from her plate, but when she did, her gaze flicked toward him. About the fifth time she glanced at him, he winked, and her focus dropped back to her plate. She’d already acknowledged her attraction to him, just not enough to continue their relationship. And he’d finally admitted to himself that he wanted time with her more than anything. But convincing Eve of his intentions was more difficult than he’d imagined. He’d never begged for a woman’s company before, but was prepared to fall on hands and knees if it would get him back in her good graces sooner rather than later. He couldn’t imagine loving her and then leaving her for greener pastures as he’d done a hundred times in the past with other women. Something inside of him pushed him to make something real out of their fictional relationship. And yet, it was only fiction.

  “And your meeting was successful?” Dane asked Simon, knowing he wouldn’t receive an answer.

  “We learned information, and they learned information. How was your day?” Simon responded.

  “I found a room nearby in Mrs. Harshaw’s house, a very nice lady who serves a delicious lentil soup for lunch. Other than that, uneventful.”

  They ate in silence as though the millions of dollars of information they each carried would ignite if anyone requested the salt.

  After a good ten minutes, Simon spun his wineglass around to create a small vortex of Cabernet. “I’ve been invited to the opening of an art gallery tomorrow night, and thought we’d all go together. Do you have a tux with you?”

  “No. I didn’t anticipate needing one on this trip. I suppose I can find something to wear in London tomorrow morning.”

  Simon turned to Eve. “You need a formal dress to wear and shoes or something. Why don’t you accompany Dane to London?”

  Eve hesitated. She picked at a piece of asparagus before looking to Simon, as though he owned her. Her deference to him heated Dane’s blood by three degrees. Simon would be held responsible for any harm that came to Eve, and the payback would be bloody and swift. Dane clenched his knife, imagining how easily he could fling it into Simon’s smug expression.

  “Go ahead,” Simon insisted, facing Dane with a grin designed to intimidate and aggravate. “Escort my girl to the city. I have a few extraneous things to complete in the morning. Just have her back before curfew.”

  Dane tried to force a smile, but his lips didn’t cooperate. “Thanks, Mr. Dunn. I’ll get her home on time.”

  The next morning, Dane arrived at eight sharp. More time with Eve could only work in his favor. Simon couldn’t be serious about keeping her on his payroll. She had zero training in this field. He had to convince her to leave this job.

  She slid in next to him in the car and sat in silence all the way to London. She could really hold a grudge.

  “Either you have a sore throat, or you’re refusing to talk to me. The first is a valid excuse for silence; the second is childish and immature.”

  “So says the immature child who ran away to California last time he was in London.”

  “I was a fool, and I’m here to make it up to you. Enjoy the day with me. I missed you, and I never miss people, except Jenny.”

  “So you’re telling me you’re a selfish jerk?”

  “Sort of.”

  She grinned, and she looked beautiful. “I’m not mad, just disappointed. I never expected you to want to remain by my side constantly, and yet I wanted to slit your throat when you ran off.”

  “If it helps, I felt pretty miserable for acting so ridiculous. It wasn’t my intention to hurt you. Let me make it up to you. We can start out as friends and see how it goes from there.” He took a chance and placed a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t shrug it off.

  “I should warn you. If you hurt me again, I won’t forgive you.”

  “Would it help if I promised to never run away like that again?”

  She rested her head on his arm and watched him as he drove. “A promise? That’s pretty serious for you.”

  “I know.”

  She leaned closer to him. Her warm breath tickled his neck. His grip on the wheel tightened. Tonight after the gallery opening, she wasn’t returning to the Dunn house. And if everything worked out, she’d never go back to Simon.

  His phone rang. Greg.

  He answered. “What?”

  “Impeccable manners as always, O’Brien. The Indian Defense Minister has stopped taking our calls. Our sources say they’re getting cozy with China. We need the Pelican sale to go through as planned.”

  “Fine. I’ll fly out tomorrow morning. Forward me all communications, and I’ll try to figure something out.”

  “Where are you?”

  “You don’t want to know.”

  “As soon as you hang up, I’ll locate you.”

  “And you’ll waste a few hours doing so. Have fun.” Dane hung up and turned to Eve. “What do you think about starting at Harrods and moving to a few smaller boutiques after lunch?”

  “Perfect. Harrods has an amazing pastry counter and great coffee. I’m starved.”

  He glanced at the refined woman sitting next to him in the Burberry coat covering a dress or skirt that didn’t reveal nearly enough of her thigh. “I’m starved, too.”

  …

  Getting ready for the art gallery opening felt like preparing for one of the high school proms Eve had never experienced. She’d purchased a red low-cut gown that didn’t hide any of her figure. Dane apparently loved full-figured breasts, and refused to let her try on anything that didn’t reveal at least part of her curves to the world. He had wanted to help her take the gown off in the dressing room, but she told him he could undress her after the event if he behaved himself until then. So far, he’d been perfect gentleman. He even walked her to the door of the Dunn house and kissed her goodbye with a sweetness that made her heart skip.

  Cassie helped her pin several red silk flowers behind her ears. In the past, Eve had never liked getting dressed to attend charity dinners with her family, but the thought of wearing a gown for Dane increased her excitement about this event.

  His actions in the past twenty-four hours added to her annoying attraction to him. The man infuriated her and intrigued her. And she was completely infatuated. How could she say no to a second chance? A second chance at something she couldn’t define, but wanted more than
anything.

  Simon met her in the living room, attired in a perfectly tailored tuxedo. He rocked a tuxedo as much as a black leather jacket. He had an air that blended into any situation.

  He raised his eyebrows in Eve’s direction. “Beautiful. Dane’s a lucky guy.”

  “Thank you, but Dane’s not in possession of me. As for you, you don’t look so bad yourself.”

  Cassie appeared in the doorway, and Simon’s tough guy demeanor softened. Her black gown was billowy and draped over her rounded stomach. She had to be wearing very high heels, because she stood eye to eye with her super tall husband. Simon brushed his hand through the loose waves in her hair and kissed her. Watching this most intimate moment shot sparks of desire straight through Eve. One night in Dane’s arms would be enough. One night where they could act as a couple in public and private.

  Where was her date for the evening?

  Her phone buzzed in her purse. She pulled it out. Dane. The guy with a crush on her. She smiled at the thought. “Hello, handsome. You’re not calling to stand me up, are you?”

  “Would you be mad if I was?”

  The joy faded, replaced by a rock in her gut. Damn him, not again. “Not mad. More annoyed.”

  Simon and Cassie both stared at her. Cassie sighed, and Simon frowned. Eve hated pity. She looked away from them to continue her conversation without turning red with embarrassment. Stood up for the most glamorous event she’d been invited to in a long, long time. Thanks, Dane.

  “Annoyance is good. I’d hate to have you mad at me.” His voice sounded tired. An intercom rattled off a string of unintelligible things in the background. And damn him for making her worry about what he was doing.

  “Where are you?”

  “The airport. I need to meet with a few guys to convince them they’re buying from the wrong company. I swear if it weren’t important, I wouldn’t have left, but my job is on the line. And I’m not leaving you without a word, so technically I’m keeping my promise to you. Hopefully, you’ll see me next Wednesday at the latest.”

  “I suppose I can wait, although you’re missing the chance to see me in and out of the red gown.”

  “You must look so beautiful. Send pictures.”

  “Sorry, stud. You want a visual, you have to show up in person. Have a safe flight.” She ended the call and returned the phone to her purse.

  He had a valid excuse. Job commitments took precedence over this shell of a relationship. She was a nobody in his life, no matter how often he claimed he was obsessed with her.

  Now to face the perfect couple again, after a confrontation with her most imperfect partner. She could feel tears sneaking up on her, and yet, she didn’t care. “Don’t worry about me. I think I’ll take a long shower and spend the night reading Soldier of Fortune.”

  Cassie picked up a long black cape and fanned it out around her shoulders. “You’ll do no such thing. Grab your wrap—you have to show off that beautiful gown.”

  “Are you sure?” Her voice faltered. She’d rather face bullets than go out on the town right now. It wasn’t Dane’s fault, but if his face happened to be on a dartboard in front of her, and she happened to be holding darts…

  “This is a work assignment. Toughen up.” Simon clasped Cassie’s arm and, without a trace of pity, scowled at Eve. “Dane was only invited as Cassie’s escort. You’re with me tonight. Cassie will be fine circling the gallery alone. She has friends there.”

  That woke her from her Dane-haze. “Doesn’t everyone know you and Cassie are married?”

  “Very few. In fact, she’s still listed as Cassie Watson on all her identification. She’s safer if we’re not seen together.”

  Cassie waved off the confusion and concern Eve must have been wearing in her expression. “It’s fine. We have an amazing life with a tight group of friends and family. Simon’s very protective, but I’ve never been a social butterfly. It works.”

  They arrived at the gallery an hour later. Simon and Eve entered five minutes after Cassie. As soon as they entered, he took off to speak with someone and didn’t invite her to follow, so she picked up a champagne flute and meandered around. The gallery was a modern space with huge open windows and servers dressed in black, serving champagne and fancy bites of food. Too many people crowded the small area, and everyone seemed to be checking out everyone else, mostly with arrogance and disdain. The fact that no one in the place smiled made Eve feel more comfortable. She could never pass as a giggly piece of arm candy. Unimpressed was a better look on her.

  The gallery consisted of three large rooms with brightly colored abstract paintings covering plain white walls. Throughout the rooms, glass and steel statues stood on pedestals. Small round tray tables held guests’ empty champagne glasses and napkins. Cassie floated across the room in the cascading black material, greeting people and sipping sparkling water. Eve followed like an awkward wallflower. They hugged as though they hadn’t seen each other ten minutes before in the car.

  “What do you think?” Cassie’s hand rested on Eve’s arm.

  “I’d rather be home cleaning a Glock.” And away from the sneers and rolled eyes of the people who believed they were better than everyone else because of their date, their bank account, or a useless title.

  “If you remain with Simon, you’ll need to pull on a gown and tolerate society’s scrutiny every now and then. You’ll be the perfect companion to Simon.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re in love with Dane. And he looks pretty smitten with you. It’s adorable to watch you fight it.”

  “No.” Eve stepped back from Cassie as though she’d poured red wine over her dress. “I’m not in love. I only met him a short time ago, and he’s more dedicated to his job and the pursuit of gratuitous pleasure than he’d ever be to me.”

  “Believe what you want. All I know is you’d never be interested in Simon, which allows me to remain at home with Junior while you traipse around the world with him.” Her hand rested on her baby bump.

  It was true that Eve didn’t have any feelings for Simon other than a weird fascination, but that didn’t correlate to her being in love with Dane. She liked him. No. It was more than that. She desired him. A relationship based on sexual attraction and nothing more. Her mini-obsession with him might even be more of the hero-worship variety. He’d helped her out of a tricky spot. He had his job to do, and she had her job to do. Once she had enough information to take to the authorities, she could put a dent in the transfer of weapons worldwide. And if she could enjoy the company of a hot Californian with soul-crushing eyes, all the better.

  Across the room, a stunning couple stood in front of a painting with large shapes and what appeared to be an eye floating in it. The petite woman, dressed in bright blue with the same color highlighting her dark brown hair, seemed like an elegant Smurf standing next to a tall man with wavy hair wearing a tuxedo and tortoise shell glasses. If they were together, they were a very odd couple, but incredibly cute.

  Cassie yanked her out of her rude stare. “Come on. I want to introduce you to my friends.”

  They headed straight for the couple she’d been staring at and stopped a few feet in front of the painting. Eve glanced at the painting again, caught by the brilliant colors.

  “What do you think?” the Smurf asked her with an American accent and a warm and welcoming demeanor.

  “It’s bright and colorful, and I have no idea what it is.”

  The woman laughed. “It’s art. That’s all. The artist is Marcel Barbeau. The piece is called, Les angles du regard. I like it. It provides a very upbeat, happy feeling.”

  Eve looked at it again. “You’re right. It is happy.”

  The woman turned to Cassie and hugged her. “I’m so glad to see you.”

  “I can’t believe you came,” Cassie replied.

  “Some of these pieces will be buried away for years, and I wanted the chance to see them in quality lighting before many of them return to museum basements or private c
ollections. And I wanted a night out with Henry.”

  Cassie kept her arm around her friend. “Eve, I’d like you to meet Henry and Alex Chilton, also known as the Earl and Countess of Ripon.”

  The countess turned to Eve. “Call me Alex. I insist.” She then faced Cassie. “Was that necessary?”

  “Of course. I never have the opportunity to introduce people with genuine titles. How’s little Peter?”

  “He’s perfect,” Henry added, eyes brightening.

  Cassie squeezed Alex’s shoulder. “This tiny sprite of a woman had a baby two weeks ago. You can hardly tell.”

  “I can feel it.” Her hand went to her slightly rounded stomach. “In fact, I may be running out of here in a few minutes to meet up with the nanny.” Alex glanced at the thin gold watch on her wrist. “I guess I have some time before I panic and rush away to feed him. How are you feeling?”

  “I can last another month or so,” Cassie replied. “Eve is helping Simon with a few projects, so she’s moved in with us. It’s been great. She’s been wonderful company.”

  Eve shook her head. “The only down side is the seven a.m. yoga she insists I do.”

  Cassie laughed. “It’s good for you. Calms your mind.”

  Eve’s mind, however, wasn’t calm. She continued to stress over whether Simon would catch her trying to undermine his operation. And then there was her relationship, or lack of a relationship, with Dane. She wanted him next to her, but he always seemed to run off. Here she was again, alone in the middle of the crowd. Cassie had bent over to whisper in Alex’s ear. They clearly shared a past and a tight bond. It was evident in the way they stood together, as though each was a support for the other. Eve’s date, Simon, stood arguing with an older man across the room from her.

  When Simon appeared next to Cassie, he never touched her. In fact, there was no outward sign of affection between them, although looking closely at Simon, it was clear he always had her in his sight.