ESCANTA: A James Thomas Novel (The James Thomas Series Book 1) (3 page)

“You scrub up nicely,” Cami said. She was one of his most valuable employees, and one of his only true friends, along with Samuel and Deacon. She pushed a wrapped gift into his hands and adjusted his tie. He shooed her away.

“What’s this?” James asked, assessing the gift.

“A present for Zahra and Jayce. You can’t turn up to an engagement party without a gift. You do realize that, don’t you?”

James rolled his eyes and walked toward his kitchen. Cami followed him.

“What did you buy?” James asked. It was surprisingly heavy and he set it down on the kitchen island while he poured himself a glass of juice. He held up the container but Cami shook her head, indicating she didn’t want one.

“It’s a gift from Thomas Security, as such. I bought a beautiful album. It even has a glass front, and I printed a collection of photographs from our surveillance.”

James blinked in surprise. It was a thoughtful gift, even if a little unusual. Zahra Foster and Jayce Tohmatsu were clients of Thomas Security, and their case had been one of the most difficult James had ever worked on—primarily because there were so many unknown factors, and so many elements of their past that it had been nearly impossible to know who and what they were dealing with. He hoped to never see a case like that again. They were still clients of Thomas Security, but their security had been dramatically downgraded. James hoped it stayed like that but their future was uncertain—their situation could potentially erupt again at any point but James’ gut instinct told him the danger was over, in this lifetime at least.

“Thank you, Cami, I’m sure they’ll love it,” James said, knowing Cami must have sifted through thousands and thousands of photographs and video footage in order to create the album.

“Well, I thought they might as well get something nice out of their experience. I think the best moments are captured when we’re not looking at the camera, not trying to smile and appear perfect,” Cami said, looking down at the gift.

She looked thoughtful, and James wondered if she was thinking of something, or someone, in her own past, but he didn’t ask. She never asked about his past, which he appreciated, and in return he never asked about hers. Their pasts were buried in secrecy and it was best that they stayed that way.

Cami looked up again, a faint smile on her lips, a silent understanding. “You should get going,” she said, picking up the gift and placing it back in his arms.

The location of the engagement party was a rooftop cocktail bar in Manhattan, the place of Zahra and Jayce’s first date. His company was handling the security and, upon entering, James immediately located Deacon, standing in the corner that gave the best view of the rooftop. James slid between guests and sidled up to his brother.

“How is everything?” James said, surveying the party.

“Uneventful, as planned. Zahra looks beautiful,” Deacon said with a smirk on his face.

James snorted, his gaze landing on her. Her bright green eyes sparkled even from where he stood.

“She’s taken, Deacon,” James said, grinning. Zahra was exactly Deacon’s type, but he’d never tell Jayce that, especially after Deacon had kissed her one day in the middle of their case. It had been necessary to test their theory, but Deacon had been a little too quick to put his hand up for the job.

“Things can change,” Deacon said, laughing at his own joke.

If there were ever two people truly destined for each other, two people completely in love, it was Zahra and Jayce. And despite that, James knew Deacon was only joking around—he might want to get into bed with Zahra for a few months but that’s where he would want it to end. Deacon’s heart belonged to someone else, someone who had died a terrible death.

Since her death, both James and Deacon had agreed—no girlfriends. They had few rules but that was one of them and the reason was twofold—the woman would never truly know whom she was with, and that didn’t make for a great relationship, and purely by association with them she would have a target hanging over her head.

James and Deacon survived because they knew how to, they had done it all their lives, but even still it was a daily fight. A woman would only greatly complicate things and create a weak spot in their plans—if you love someone, you will do anything for them, and your enemies know that.

“So tell me, how was London?” Deacon said, looking straight ahead.

“We have a name but I’m waiting to hear more from Samuel. They are after me, though, not you. The guy said to me ‘they have been hunting you.’ There was nothing mentioned about you, Deacon. This goes deep into my past, long before we met,” James said.

Deacon was silent for a moment. “We’ll figure it out,” he said confidently.

It wasn’t the first time someone had come after James, and it wouldn’t be the last. Being a hunted man was a lifelong battle.

James nodded his head, watching Jayce now. And it was almost as if Jayce could feel eyes on him because he lifted his head and cast James a grin.

“I’ll be back,” James said to Deacon. He walked toward Jayce, who was politely separating himself from the conversation he’d been having. They shook hands in greeting.

“It’s good to see you again. How is life in Tokyo?” Jayce said, patting him on the back.

“Much the same, Jayce, much the same,” James said, giving him a teasing smile. Jayce never respected the request not to ask questions about his life, or his past—he just couldn’t seem to help himself.

James leaned across, interrupting the conversation quickly, to give Zahra a kiss on the cheek and his congratulations.

“Thank you,” Zahra said. “But I’m sure this didn’t come as a surprise to you, did it?”

James smiled at Jayce and shrugged his shoulders.

Jayce laughed. “Other than my father, James was the first to know. And he was the first to see the ring. I didn’t want to keep it in our apartment until we moved into Luma Street, so I gave it to James to store at Thomas Security. It was probably safer there than it was in the bank vault.”

If anyone had asked James if he thought Zahra and Jayce would make it, he would’ve absolutely said no. But the two of them were a lesson in forgiveness and persistence.

“Can you have a drink tonight?” Jayce asked with mischievous eyes.

“One drink,” James said.

Jayce chuckled. “I guess this party is going until noon, then,” he said sarcastically, referencing the one and only other time they’d had a drink together.

“Come on.” Jayce led him toward an empty couch in the corner and ordered two double whiskeys. “It’s technically one drink, Thomas.”

James scoffed as he sat on the chair opposite Jayce. “I brought you something,” James said, slipping his hand into his inner jacket pocket. He pulled out a small box of Cuban cigars: Kyoji’s favorite.

Nostalgia fogged Jayce’s eyes and a sad smile formed on his lips. “I’ve been thinking about him all day,” Jayce said, looking down at the box.

Kyoji Tohmatsu, Jayce’s brother and best friend, had been killed during the case. He’d taken a bullet, one intended for Jayce, and to this date he was the only client ever killed under Thomas Security’s watch—that’s what could happen when orders are disobeyed. James still had a soft spot for the Tohmatsu brothers, though—they were fiercely loyal, which James respected immensely, and in another life they could’ve all been friends.

“I thought so, so let’s have one for Kyoji,” James said, opening the box.

“For Kyoji,” Jayce repeated.

James pulled a cutter and a box of matches from his other pocket and they lit up just as the waiter returned with their drinks.

“Can you believe it? That we’re sitting here at my engagement party?” Jayce said, shaking his head softly.

James grinned. “I would say stranger things have happened, but I’m not sure they have.”

Jayce laughed and winked at him before puffing on the cigar. “So, really, how is life in Tokyo? Any plans to move back to New York?”

James was no longer based in Tokyo, but that was none of Jayce’s concern. “We’ll see—it always depends on our clients and what they need.”

Jayce ran his finger along his jaw, and James knew he was mentally forming his next question. They always played the same game: Jayce asked questions, James deflected them.

James brought his glass to his lips but he paused midway and Jayce didn’t miss it. Jayce turned to look over his shoulder as Makaela Ashwood walked directly toward them.

What the hell?
James swore silently.

Makaela saw him too and a flash of fear registered in her eyes, and then they darted from side to side like she might run, but she didn’t. James noted she drew a deep breath and continued pace beside Zahra.

“There you are,” Zahra said, looking at Jayce. “I wanted to finally introduce you to Maya’s sister, Mak Ashwood.”

Mak
Ashwood.

Jayce stood up and extended his hand. Mak shook it and then, following polite protocol, turned to James. “Hello again,” she said with a firm, almost questioning, voice.

Jayce’s eyes flickered between them and a curious smile teased his lips. “You two know each other?” Jayce asked.

“No, but we were on the same flight today,” James answered. “James Thomas,” he said, shaking her warm hand. Her skin was soft, but her grip was firm, assertive without being aggressive.

James felt his body react to her touch, and that was a bad sign. Women were a distraction, and right now, more than ever, he needed to be focused.

“You were in Tokyo, Mak?” Jayce asked.

Mak looked confused. “No, I was in London.”

Jayce looked at James again, smiling properly now. “What were you doing in London?”

“Working,” James said, smiling back at Jayce.

He noticed Mak watching him, looking at him like she didn’t trust him.

Jayce rolled his eyes and then turned his attention back to Mak. “So, how is the big case going? I’m looking forward to the trial starting. I’ve been following it all in the papers.”

“Don’t you know not to read the papers, Jayce?” Mak said with a smile.

“This guy,” Jayce said, gesturing toward James, “is the owner of Thomas Security, the firm I suggested you get in contact with. You did speak to Maya, right?” Jayce said to Zahra.

“Yes, she said that she spoke to you,” Zahra said to Mak, “but you already had security organized.”

James wished he had some clue as to what was going on. He had been overseas for a few months, and Deacon had largely been handling the office and affairs in New York, so he had no idea what case they were talking about.

But if Mak Ashwood’s sister was best friends with Zahra, that meant they should have a report on her entire family and Samuel should’ve sent it through already.
What is taking him so long?

“That’s right. I have a contract in place and they seem to be doing a good job so I thought additional security was unnecessary,” Mak said, looking at James again.

She had a fierceness about her, a resilience in the face of fear. She was brave, James noted.

And she was also tiny with a body that curved in all the right places. The bodice of her gown drew in her waist and pushed up her breasts. Zahra might be Deacon’s type, but Mak was definitely James’.

“You should change firms,” Jayce said matter-of-factly.

Oh, fuck no,
James thought.
That’s a very bad idea
.

This can’t be happening,
Mak thought, clearing her throat.

“I really don’t think I need that level of security. Most of the hype around this case is simply that—hype. The security I have is fine.” But even as Mak said the words she wondered if they were true. She had reported the scroll incident on her way home from the airport and her security company was looking into it. She hoped to have more information by the morning.

She dared to look at James again and his eyes were narrowed, like he could read her thoughts.

“Sorry, I got held up back there,” Maya said, sashaying in. “Oh, hello, I don’t believe we’ve met,” she said, looking at James.

Mak observed her sister as she greeted James, noting that Maya showed none of the fear or distrust Mak felt upon seeing him the first time.
It was all in my head
, Mak thought.
James runs a security firm. He looks after Jayce and Zahra. He surely had nothing to do with the scroll incident.

“James Thomas,” he said, responding to Maya.

“Oh, you’re James Thomas,” Maya said. “Mak, this is the man I told you—”

“Yes, yes, I know,” Mak said, interrupting her sister. She could not have this conversation again.

“I’m worried she’s going to get herself killed,” Maya said.

“Maya, this is a conversation we can have another time. It’s Zahra and Jayce’s engagement party, so let’s talk about other things,” Mak said, looking at neither her sister nor James. “So, have you set a date yet?

Zahra smiled, and Maya felt her heart warm at the way Jayce looked at her.

“We have, we set it last night in anticipation for the questions this evening,” Zahra said. “July seventeenth, next summer, so keep it free.” Zahra nodded her head at all of them in turn, James included.

“And Maya and I are the bridesmaids,” Jemma Foster said, slipping in beside her sister. They looked so similar they could be mistaken for twins.

“Mak! How are you doing?” Jemma said enthusiastically, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek. “I haven’t seen you in so long.”

“I know, I’ve been working on the case…Not much else to report, unfortunately,” Mak said. She could feel James’ eyes on her again and she felt like she was under a microscope. She also felt like he knew she was lying.

A waiter came by with a tray of drinks and Mak grabbed a champagne, as did Jemma.

“Yeah, I’ve heard about your case. I didn’t realize the mob was still such a big deal,” Jemma said.

Mak shrugged her shoulders. “They aren’t what they used to be in America, but this group has ties to the Camorra—the Italian mafia in the old country. They’re a big deal and cover everything from sexual exploitation, firearms’ trafficking, drugs, counterfeiting, extortion…it goes on and on.”