A Matter of Trust: London Calling Book One (17 page)

“Now wait just a minute—”

She chopped the air with her hand, silencing him. “No, when you did return, you lectured me on
my place
.” When his head flinched back, she went on, clearly on a roll. “Oh yes.
My
place,
your
place, and how working for you does not mean I am equal to you. Certainly not enough to mix
outside
Sterling International.”

“Dammit, that is not true!”

“No, you know what? It doesn’t even matter.” Setting her glass down with a firm click, Devon rose and gestured toward the door. “You need to leave. I’ve heard enough, more than enough from you.” She pressed a hand to her heart. “You were right before. You upset me and I don’t like myself around you.”

“No, if you would just listen to me for one minute.”

“Don’t you get it? You didn’t listen to
me
. You wouldn’t speak with me or see me. You
left
. So now you can leave again.”

“What is this, Devon, some sort of payback? If you’re expecting an apology, you must see that you’re responsible for most of this entire mess. I mean—”

“
Bennett.”
He stopped, looking hard at her. Something in his navy eyes nearly made her weaken, tempted her to forget the explosive atmosphere. She swayed as energy crackled between them, tantalizing her with its heat. As he reached for her, she broke from his spell and jerked the front door open.

“
Get. Out.”

***

She sat on the sofa, trembling, when Dominic returned. She’d moved both glasses so they sat in front of her, easier for her to judge the levels of wine in each. Methodically, she’d sip from first one and then the other, alternating so both drained downward equally.

Dominic hovered in the doorway, the muted light from the hall catching the golden lights in his dark blonde hair.

“You can come in, you know.”

“Are you sure? This seems like a party for one.”

She sighed, finally giving up the game by pouring the contents of one glass into the other. “Well that depends. Can you cheer me up?”

He walked in, shrugging off his coat to toss it over the arm of the chair she’d occupied earlier. He settled beside her, angling himself into the corner to look her in the eye.
 

“Talk to me. What happened today? I left you in a great mood, better than you’ve been in weeks. Or so I thought.” He frowned. “And why are you drinking out of two wine glasses?”

“Bennett stopped by. Apparently, for some reason he’s decided we did, in fact, have a colossal misunderstanding.” She shot Dom a quick frown, silently blaming him for his role in the fiasco. “Bennett thought by conceding the mistake, and pointing out my responsibility for it, that we could make nice.”

Devon eyed her glass. The wine was quite good and there wasn’t much point in corking the small bit left in the bottle. Frankly, it was never as good later. Filling her glass past the polite level, she brought it to her lips.
 

Whatever her feelings for Bennett, she surely didn’t
like
him much right now. He’d walked his arrogant self into her home, made himself comfortable, and declared the last agonizing weeks an unfortunate mix-up. And to top it off he said it was mostly her fault.

Then, he’d insulted her further by assuming he’d be spending the night. The man had no respect.
 

Dom cleared his throat, interrupting her runaway thoughts. “Devvie, you’ve been so sad these last few weeks. I’ve never seen you like this, you know.”

She fidgeted, looking around the room before reluctantly meeting Dominic’s questioning gaze. “Okay, yes. What’s your point?”

“Look, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be involved with Bennett.” He dropped his eyes then looked back up, resolve firming his voice. “But you’re not happy and I hate that. Why didn’t you fix this when he was here, and you had the chance?”

She stared, perplexed. “Because there’s no point, Dominic.” She sprung up to pace back and forth before coming back to sit again, picking up her glass to hold but not drink. “We’re not suited, like I said.”

“You spouted off a bunch of nonsense earlier today, Dev, and I let it go. But you don’t actually believe we’re less than anyone else do you?” When she hesitated, finally taking a drink of wine rather than answer him, he repeated himself. “
Do you?
”

“Yes,” she hissed. She felt the flames of embarrassment heat her face, but continued. “I think most people, certainly people like Bennett, or Natalie for that matter, would never understand where we come from. They have no understanding of taking advantage of people, let alone for monetary gain, Dominic.”

He slumped back on the sofa, astounded. “You’re ashamed of us! Of yourself.” She shook her head, but he overrode her. “No, you are. Well, we’re going to clear this up right now, little sister.” He reached over and took her face between his hands.

“You should be proud of our families. We made our own way, never asked anyone for anything. And both our fathers are well-respected members of Georgia society today. Hell, Savannah can’t get enough of either one of them and you know how closed that city can be. Atlanta tries to claim them as favorite sons since they’ve based some of their business there. Come on, Devvie. They’re legitimate entrepreneurs. Give them some credit.”

Tears glazed her eyes, blurring Dominic’s face in front of her. He was right. She’d refused to change her impressions and opinions of them even though her father and Dom’s had continued to evolve as much as she. Dominic himself was world class in tech security, yet she’d been relegating him to concocted conspiracies and scams in her imagination.
 

She was ashamed.

Dominic wasn’t finished. “And don’t think your Bennett is a stranger to scandal either. It hasn’t been that many years ago that he underwent a major upset with his investors. An employee took client accounts right from under his nose, fleeing with them to a rival firm. It took serious time and effort to repair the damage.”

Devon absorbed that statement along with the rest. A shaky smile curved her lips and Dominic eased back, cuffing her gently under the chin. An awkward silence ensued, while each gave the other some space to think.

After several long minutes, Dom shifted to prop his elbows on his knees. Grabbing her glass, he took a drink before running his hand around his neck, loosening his collar.
 

“Devvie, just one more thing.”
 

“Okay. Shoot.”

“Explain what you meant by Bennett wanting to
make nice
.”

Equally amused and exasperated, Devon burst out laughing. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being a jackass. You definitely cheered me up.” Still chuckling, she scooted closer to lean against his bulk. “No, thanks for being you, Dom. You pointed out some hard truths I needed to hear.”

He knocked his chin onto the top of her head. “I love you, little sister. Now don’t stay up too late.” He rose to leave her alone, tuned in to the fact she wanted to be.

“I love you too, Dommie.” It was an old nickname, rarely used because he hated it.

He leaned down and twisted her earlobe in retaliation, just like when they were kids. She laughed, watching him walk out of the room. He really was better than any real brother could have been.

It wasn’t until much later she realized he smelled like flowers.

CHAPTER TEN

D
EVON
’
S
ILLUSIONS
ABOUT
family love and loyalty were shattered during an ordinary, if unscheduled, work break.
 

She and Aidan stepped out for coffee at a local café. Seeing Dom through the darkly paned windows that flanked the entrance, she grabbed at the door handle.
 

“Aidan, I can finally introduce you to my friend, Dominic,” she exclaimed.
 

Aidan stopped her with a hand to her arm. He nodded toward the corner where a petite, icy blonde had joined Dominic.
 

Natalie.

Speechless, Devon watched as the couple engaged in an impassioned, if brief, kiss. She allowed Aidan to lead her away, walking her down the street. She followed, unconscious of the people around them.

Numbly, she only thought of Dominic’s promise. He’d sworn he wouldn’t continue to see Natalie or pursue her. Devon had believed him, trusted in him to keep his word.

Why would he lie?

Aidan placed a hand to her back to lead her into a different coffee shop from any they’d frequented before. Finding a seat for her, he went to place their orders and returned moments later with two frothy cappuccinos.
 

“In lieu of scotch, I ordered you a triple shot of espresso. I hope that helps.”

Looking into Aidan’s kind, worried face, Devon smiled, albeit faintly, to reassure him.
 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect to see that. I’m not sure how to react.” She sipped her coffee, savoring the espresso as it echoed her bitter thoughts.
 

“Devon, you’ll pardon me if it’s none of my business, but are you and Dom involved then?”
 

Her hand jerked, sloshing a little of the cappuccino’s foam up the side of the cup. She was overreacting, giving Aidan all the wrong ideas for why she was upset.
 

“I don’t mean to pry. It’s only…” He set his own cup down carefully before continuing, “I thought there might be something between you and Bennett.”
 

Devon smiled wanly, tucking her hands beneath the table in her lap. Straightening, she took a deep breath and looked directly at Aidan. “Actually, I’m not involved with either one of them.” Aidan seemed taken aback. She nodded before continuing, “Dom and I practically grew up together. We’ve known each other since we were young children and I can promise we’ve never been anything more than good friends. Best friends, really.”
 

“But—”

“It’s complicated. My fault, I made it that way. I’m hurt. He broke a promise to me, one given in good faith. I thought better of him, but he lied. Considering he’s like a brother to me, it took me off guard.”

Aidan listened, barely moving. When Devon glanced up, he nodded slightly in encouragement.

Weary from being closed off to the people around her, Devon decided to confide for once. After all, what did it really matter? Dominic was part of her inner circle, as much family as her own father. And he’d deceived her, betraying her trust.

She swallowed. “As for Bennett, we were attracted to each other.” Devon scanned Aidan’s face, seeing only reassurance and acceptance. She continued, shaking her head. “I’m so confused. We’re still attracted, I suppose. Yes.” She fumbled to a halt, wrinkling her brow. “But everything’s gotten in the way. Dominic. Natalie. Our own baggage, maybe.”
 

Devon looked somewhere beyond Aidan and the little café table they shared, thinking of what had been lost with Bennett. “We only lasted a moment, and then it was gone before it fully formed. At the time, I thought we might be more.”
 

Aidan shifted, staring wordlessly into her eyes as she refocused on him. “I’m sorry, Devon. I’m sorry you’re sad.”

Heat suffused her face. She shouldn’t be talking about Bennett this way. And not with Aidan. “No, I’m sorry I’m overly sensitive about Dominic. Sometimes I take things more personally than I should, but I’m being silly.”

Aidan paused, continuing to watch her. Devon flashed a quick smile, trying to diffuse the serious mood. He remained intent, finally speaking. “The way I see it, Devon, you have every right to be upset. Your best friend broke his word to you. Now maybe he has an explanation, but it seems to me he could have offered one before now.”

Aidan was a wonderful man. He simply didn’t understand the nature of liars. It was yet another example of how she was different, destined not to fit with most people.

Average, honest people.

Picking up her cup, she smiled over the rim. “I’m sure he has an explanation, Aidan. But really, it was foolish of me to ask anything of him. Let’s not waste any more thought on it.”

“Wait,” Aidan stopped Devon from changing the subject. “Foolish to ask what you did, or foolish to ask for anything at all?”
 

She frowned into his patient gaze. “Is there a difference?”
 

Another man jostled their table, interrupting their conversation. Relieved, Devon smiled broadly at the other customer, reassuring him that she and Aidan were fine, along with their coffees. Switching her smile to Aidan, she stood, signaling the end of their break. As she wrapped her scarf and put on her jacket, she knew she’d never been lonelier, surrounded by a city of strangers.

***

“DEVON!”
 

Dominic slung his coat over the stairwell post in the entryway before continuing into the flat. Looking first into the kitchen, then dining room, he popped his head around the corner into the sitting room before seeing her. She was settled in the armchair while a small fire flicked its flames at the grate next to her.
 

“Hey, am I late? I thought we were going to that new place down the road for some blues and dinner? Why aren’t you dressed?”