Hiding the Past

by Sofia Grey

  Did he know him? Jack replayed Charlie’s furious question. “Yeah, I know him. And I really want to know why he’s in your apartment.”

  Daisy’s voice interrupted. “I’ve seen him before. Where could I have seen him?” She looked at Jack, her eyes wide and frightened.

  Something tightened inside him. He’d thought Charlie to be an asshole, but this was confirmation. What did Daisy see in the jerk?

  There was no reason for Jack to scare her. He wrestled his anger under a semblance of control and took a step back, letting go of Charlie. “You saw him in New Zealand, honey,” he told Daisy. “On the tour bus, the day I met Juli.”

  “Daisy is not your honey. She’s my girlfriend.” Charlie straightened his shirt and stomped to Daisy, reaching out for her hand.

  She stayed put and stared at Yanni. Her eyebrows tugged together into a frown. “No,” she said. “It was more recent than that.”

  What? Jack gazed at her, mentally urging her to remember. “Where?”

  “Here in London, I think. The last time I came down to see Charlie. Just a few weeks ago.”

  *

  It had to be bad news about her father. There was no other reason for Jack to call her so many times. Juli darted around the other people in the station and broke into a jog, stopping as soon as her phone rang.

  “It’s me,” said Jack, his voice cold. “I’m at Charlie’s. I think you should come over.”

  Well, fuck. The absolute last thing she wanted to happen.

  “Jack. I can—”

  “Not on the phone. I’ll wait here for you.” He cut the call.

  Remorse surged as violently as if she’d shoved her fingers into an electrical socket. He was mad at her. She was mad at Yanni for putting her in this position. And Charlie was probably mad at all of them.

  It was no use, trying to explain that she meant to tell Jack. She hadn’t. She was equally mad at herself for letting this happen.

  She walked into the open air and hailed a cab. Today was one of those days.

  Daisy opened the door when Juli arrived at Charlie’s place, then scuttled back to sit next to Charlie on the sofa, their hands entwined.

  Jack lounged against the wall.

  Juli tried to smile, but her husband stared back as though she were a stranger.

  Charlie was first to speak. “Don’t ever ask me for a favour again, Juli. You brought a fucking terrorist into my home and asked me to look after him. And you didn’t bother telling your husband, who assumed I had something to do with it.” He paused. “Perhaps you’d like to explain?”

  She looked at Jack, his face like granite.

  “I’m sorry.” It came out as a whisper. “I should have told you. I was going to tell you.”

  There was a horrible, lengthy pause, while she gathered her thoughts and nobody else spoke. Then a gentle cough sounded.

  Doctor Jeffries spoke from the doorway. “I think your friend is waking up.”

  Ignoring Jack and the others, Juli hurried into the bedroom. Yanni stirred, his eyes flickering open.

  “Wake up.” Juli spoke loudly, uncaring if everyone heard her. “Wake up, dammit. I need to talk to you.”

  She felt, rather than heard Jack move beside her.

  “Who else knows he’s here?” Jack asked.

  “Nobody, except us. What are you going to do?”

  “I’m gonna turn him in. I’ve been hunting him a long time, Juli. But you already knew that.”

  A muffled groan from the bed drew her attention. Yanni opened his eyes. They flickered over her and alighted on Jack. Yanni blinked. The look of surprise on his face was total. “Serenity?” His voice was little more than a croak.

  Juli didn’t understand at first. Oh wait, that was Jack’s code name when he infiltrated Yanni’s group.

  Before she could move or even speak, Jack grabbed the front of Yanni’s T-shirt and hauled him upright. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re doing here with my wife, but I’m going to enjoy handing you to the authorities.”

  Yanni groaned. He seemed confused.

  Juli grabbed Jack’s arm. “No. Don’t do this. I need him.”

  Without looking at her, Jack snorted. “And why would that be?”

  Yanni croaked again. “I was right not to trust you.”

  “Damn right,” snarled Jack, his knuckles showing white against Yanni’s shirt.

  If he carried on like this, the wound would open again. “Stop.” Juli shouted. “He may be able to save my father.”

  Jack let go of Yanni and stepped backwards, his gaze fixed on the man in the bed, now slumped against the pillows.

  “Tell me about my father,” Juli said to Yanni. “You said he was poisoned. I need to know.”

  Behind her, she felt Jack stiffen at her words. He inched closer, but she ignored him. Her focus was on Yanni—on listening to what he had to say.

  “I found you a doctor, and I brought you to a safe place.” She kept her voice steady, God knew how. She wanted to scream at him. “I kept my side of the bargain. Now tell me.”

  Dark eyes flicked between her face and Jack’s. Long moments passed before Yanni spoke. “Why is Serenity here?”

  Gritting her teeth, Juli stayed calm. “That’s not important. Please tell me about my father.” If anyone was going to explain Jack’s connection, he’d have to do it himself.

  “I disagree,” said Yanni. “I think it’s very important. Especially under the circumstances.”

  “My father. Please—”

  “Alone, Juli. Not with Serenity in here.”

  “For fuck’s sake.” Anger lined Jack’s voice, but Juli didn’t have time to reason with him.

  She spun on her toes. “Give me a minute with him. Please.”

  Hurt shone in Jack’s eyes, but he tightened his jaw and gave a nod. “One minute. I’ll be right outside.”

  He left, the doctor going with him.

  The moment the door banged shut, Yanni relaxed his shoulders and let out a sigh. Unable to stand any longer, Juli sank into the chair and then hitched it closer to the bed. She had to remind herself what she knew about him. He met the classic definition of a psychopath. Not just with the boundless confidence he projected, but also with the subtle manipulation. The way he was able to tap into her fears. The way he fucked with her mind.

  Looking at him, helpless and wounded, Yanni didn’t look dangerous. He hadn’t actually hurt her, and she didn’t believe he would. For whatever reason, she wasn’t scared of him. Perhaps she should be.

  “You called him Jack,” said Yanni, his gaze searching her face. “Is that your husband? Your Jack O’Donnell?”

  Unease prickled down her spine. She didn’t trust herself to speak, so she nodded.

  To her surprise, he gave a short laugh, followed by a groan. He closed his eyes, his lips a thin line. Was he in pain? It wouldn’t surprise her, the way Jack attacked him. Or was Yanni faking it?

  He spoke in a hoarse whisper. “I’m sorry. I find it amusing that someone as smart and beautiful as yourself would marry a petty thug like Serenity.” His eyes opened again. “Like Winnie the Pooh, he is a bear of little brain. He’s good at following orders, but has no imagination.”

  Juli blinked. Did he just compliment her? And insult her—and Jack—at the same time? She had to get him back on track. “Jack’s not a thug.” Despite the way he just behaved. “Whether you like it or not, he’s your best chance for staying alive. But you have to tell me the truth.”

  Yanni smiled, the taut lines relaxing. “Same old Juli. Still trying to call the shots.”

  She swallowed. She could not let him take control. “If you have information about my father, you must tell us both. I need Jack in here.”

  “How do I know he’s not the reason I’m lying here now? How can I trust him?”

  As Juli sat on the edge of the chair, feeling more as though she perched on a knife-edge, Yanni reached out to take her hand. She snatched it away. Glared at him.

 
He laughed softly, leaned back against his pillows, and beckoned her closer. “You seemed genuinely frightened of him, back at my compound. I’m guessing…” He paused and stared hard at Juli as though he could read the thoughts inside her head. “I’m guessing you already knew him and didn’t expect to see him with me.” Yanni smiled with no trace of malice. “Am I right?”

  “Maybe.” She refused to give him the satisfaction of showing him how accurate he was.

  The smile slipped a little. “You’ve seen first-hand how easily he lies and disguises his intentions. How well he plays the part. I can’t help wondering, Juli, how well he’s playing his role now? Is he the devoted husband? Or have you started to see the cracks in his façade yet? Have you met the real Jack, if he exists?”

  “Stop.” She wanted to block out his words and stop listening to his poison. She felt like putting her hands over her ears. “I love my husband.” It came out like a childish protest. She sounded feeble. Next thing, she’d be grumbling that Yanni wasn’t fair. No. She mustn’t let him get to her.

  He hadn’t finished, though. “While we’re talking about truth, you need to ask him about Madrid. I know you haven’t been married long, and I imagine there are a lot of secrets you don’t know yet.” Yanni’s voice dropped to a whisper, and she had to lean closer, to hear him. “Sometimes the truth hurts, but you must ask him about Caroline.”

  “Yanni, I’m going to fetch Jack. And then I want you to tell us both what you promised, about the poison. Will you do that? Please?”

  He couldn’t have missed the tremors in her voice, and again he reached for her and this time touched her arm. She flinched, but he stared at her, maintaining eye contact, daring her to look away first.

  Intensity smouldered in the depths of his almost black eyes. Was this another stalling tactic?

  His fingers soothed up and down her arm, his voice low and hypnotic. “I told you before, Juli, you remind me of my wife. My Ana. I may not trust your husband, and you would be wise not to, but I wouldn’t try to come between you.” He paused, his fingers warm and gentle, relaxing her while she knew she should be fighting against him. “Go fetch him, Juli. Your Pooh Bear.”

  *

  Jack couldn’t recall the last time he’d been so tightly wound. Oh yeah. When Yanni disappeared with Juli last time. How was it that she trusted the bastard? He kidnapped her, for fuck’s sake.

  “Y’know what?” Charlie’s lazy drawl startled him. “Juli’s dug herself into this situation. You don’t need me and Daisy here, while you sort it out. We were on our way out for a few days, anyway.” He stood and walked up to face Jack, his fury barely leashed. “Quite apart from the stinking huge apology you owe me, I think it’s your job to sort it out. And I want him”—he gestured toward the closed bedroom door—“out at the earliest opportunity. Personally, I don’t care if you toss him in the Thames. Just get him out of my home. Can I trust you to do that?”

  “You can’t move him for a few days,” said the doctor, shock on his face. “He needs two or preferably three days of complete bedrest.”

  Jack snorted. “If I move him sooner, will he bleed to death more quickly?”

  Daisy jumped into the conversation. “Jack, it scares me that he’s here, in Charlie’s home.”

  “It scares me too, honey. This whole thing sucks. To my mind, the fewer people involved, the better.”

  Jack saw Charlie bristling again at his casual endearment, and he pulled a face. “Sorry. I’m sorry. And yeah, I was wrong to barge in here. Okay?” He ran a hand across his face and rubbed his eyes. Shit, but he was tired. Lack of sleep wasn’t good for thinking clearly.

  Daisy touched his hand. She gave him a sympathetic smile. “Can we leave you here? And you’ll let us know when it’s all—you know—sorted out?”

  Jack looked at Charlie. “Okay with you?”

  Charlie nodded. “Can’t say I’m over the moon about him staying here, but we were heading out anyway. It’s Grace’s christening at the weekend, so we won’t be back until Wednesday at the earliest. Will you be out of here by then?”

  “Yeah, that works.” Jack stared out of the window, but he didn’t see the view. “I’ll make sure it’s all clear by this time next week.”

  At last, the door opened and Juli appeared, looking pale and tired. She searched Jack’s face with her gaze. “He’s agreed to talk to both of us.” She hesitated and glanced at Charlie. “Please, Jack, no threats. I need you to stay focused.”

  Focused? Jack was focused all right. His stomach clenched at the prospect of holding a civilised conversation with this piece of pond slime.

  He’d have to play nicely for the moment. He could wait.

  Yanni lay back against the pillows, eyes half-closed. Jack took up position at the foot of the bed, with Juli sitting in the nearby chair.

  Juli spoke first. “Yanni told me Papa has been poisoned and he knows the antidote. We made a deal that I’d get him somewhere safe, in return for his information.”

  Jack watched her carefully. For the most part, she stared down at her hands, twisting her wedding ring up and down her finger. She wouldn’t keep eye contact. Was she lying? Or was there something else she had yet to tell him?

  Yanni said nothing.

  Jack considered the story. It was bullshit. It had to be. Yanni was using Juli and her fear for Yves, to satisfy his own needs. Bile rose in Jack’s throat at the way Juli was being deceived.

  He’d heard enough of this shit.

  “My turn to make the deal.” He moderated his voice, but he had no intention of actually negotiating. “You tell us everything, here and now. And you live. Or I let you get dragged to a holding cell, where you fester for a few weeks. You know the law gives the police very flexible options for dealing with terror suspects in this country. There’s no requirement for a lawyer, or for the suspect to be released after forty-eight hours. They can lose you in the system, then extradite you to Guantanamo Bay. You’ll look good in one of those orange jumpsuits.”

  Silence.

  Jack leaned forward, took hold of the bed frame and jerked it. He had the satisfaction of seeing Yanni wince.

  Juli leapt to her feet. “Stop that,” she snapped, but Jack ignored her.

  “Or we can play it my way.” He shoved the bed frame again. “You think you’re hard and clever, but I know how to make you talk.”

  Jack’s entire focus lay on Yanni’s face, at the fathomless dark eyes staring back at him.

  It was only when Juli grabbed Jack’s arm that he looked at her.

  “Stop. I said no threats.” Her voice was high and scared. He’d frightened her. Swallowing, he tried to cool down. He wanted to confuse Yanni and keep changing his tactics to wear him down.

  Meanwhile, Yanni murmured to Juli, “You see what I mean?”

  The smug bastard.

  Adrenaline surged again, as Jack fought the urge to smash Yanni’s face repeatedly. As Jack stood there seething, Yanni reached out to touch Juli’s arm. Her attention snapped back to him.

  “Juli,” said Yanni, his tone amused, “there’s no need for all this drama. Can you get your dog under control for a moment?”

  Jack’s fury was cooling slowly, crystallising into a cold, hard ball of pure hatred. Yanni had some kind of hold over Juli; that was obvious. She didn’t shy from his touch. The last man on earth Jack would ever trust was shamelessly pawing his wife.

  “I’ll tell you the poison, how it was administered and where, and how to treat it.” Yanni smiled at Juli, his fingers still resting on her lower arm. They could have been discussing the weather.

  She sank into her seat, her face ashen and her fists clenched.

  Jack itched again to tear him limb from limb.

  “But in the interests of my own safety,” Yanni continued, “I won’t tell you who did it, or why.” He stared fully at Jack, a mocking smile on his lips. “I’ll leave in a couple of days, as soon as I’m strong again. Then, when I’m safely away, I’ll tell you the rest
of it.” There was a long pause. “Do I have your assurance?”

  Jack was about to say he’d make no promises, but Juli leapt in. “Yes. I promise you. I give you my word.”

  “Thank you.” Yanni dropped his voice, and Jack had to strain to hear. “The other thing you need to know is that you’re also at risk, Juli. It would be safest for everyone, if you were to stay here with me.”

  Chapter Four

  Juli didn’t dare look at Jack. If looks could kill, Yanni would have drawn his last breath by now.

  This was tearing her apart. Yanni had to be lying, but she couldn’t take that chance. If he spoke just a grain of truth, it could mean the difference between life and death. She gritted her teeth, tried to look relaxed, and said, “We have a deal. So, keep your side of the bargain.”

  Yanni inclined his head, glanced at Jack, and then fixed his gaze on her. “He’s been poisoned with thallium. It’s a metallic element, dissolves easily in water, and is both odourless and tasteless. The symptoms often don’t appear until several days after ingestion. Testing for it wouldn’t be routine—you’ll have to persuade your father’s doctors to examine his hair follicles—but it can be treated, if they do it quickly.”

  She held up her hand. “Wait. Did you say test his hair follicles? Won’t it show up in a blood test?”

  “No. It dissolves in liquid, remember?”

  Back at the hospital, when she asked about toxicology tests, his blood results had been normal. “The antidote?”

  “It can be treated with a compound called Prussian Blue. It binds with the metal in the intestines, blocking the absorption.”

  She thought more about it. She could check out thallium poisoning on the internet, to see if it was plausible, but it could still just be a story.

  “Okay, but how did it happen? You said you could tell me where?” Juli glanced at Jack, who stared at Yanni, intent and serious, his eyes narrowed slightly. Did he think this was feasible? She couldn’t ask him here.

  Yanni swallowed and rubbed a hand across his face. “Could I have some water, please?”