Trust (42 page)

Alistair shook his head, aggravated. “Why do you think I am,” he made quotes in the air, “‘the mighty Alistair Connor’, huh?”

“Oh, Brother. You’re handsome, powerful, rich. You have everything. And besides, how many women have you had and dismissed, recently?”

“Before her, you mean?”

Tavish’s eyes widened, “Before her? No, surely not.”

Alistair nodded and Tavish’s eyes grew bigger, “Nooo. Have you been monogamous since her? How long?”

“I don’t know. I don’t really keep track of days, you know?”
As if
.

Tavish laughed, the sound so dear and alien to Alistair that he decided to indulge his brother, just to hear it once more.

“I don’t believe it,” Tavish said. “How long? Two weeks?”

“Since January, the twenty-second. Fuck, Tavish Uilleam, I even know the day.”

Tavish froze and then burst into a fit of laughter that brought tears to his eyes. “You’ve been going out with her all this time and you’re still obsessed with her?” He wiped his eyes dry. “I don’t believe it,” he said and chuckled. “She’s a wonder in bed, no doubt.”

“I wish I knew,” Alistair muttered under his breath.

Tavish’s smile fell, “You haven’t had sex with her? After more than a month? Are you losing your touch?”

I hope not
. “No. She was… occupied elsewhere.”

Tavish gaped at him, “I beg your pardon?”

“She was seeing Ethan Ashford. And when they broke up-” Alistair rubbed a hand over his nape. “Let me tell you the whole story.”

Tavish’s brows were knitted in a line. “You are planning to start a relationship without knowing what she thinks about your preferences?” Tavish returned to his serious mood.

Alistair’s brows shot to his hairline. “My preferences?” He schooled his features to an air of nonchalance.

“Oh, please, man! I’m not an idiot. Besides,” he drew in a huge breath, “Heather made them clear to me the day she approached me.”

“Heather?” Alistair’s face darkened again in a split second. “She approached you?”

Tavish looked at his brother and sighed, putting a hand over his brother’s. “Aye, she did. Once. Just before I left for Afghanistan.”

Thunderstruck, Alistair’s anger spiked. “I wish. She wasn’t. Dead. So I could kill her with my bare hands,” Alistair growled and downed his whisky in a gulp.

“She
is
dead. No more chance to right things, Alistair Connor. At least not with her.”

“So,” Alistair glanced at Tavish and back at their hands, “you know about our… preferences?”

“She hinted, yes.”

“Hinted?”

“It was enough, Alistair Connor. And, once, when she was at the pool, I saw the marks.”

Alistair’s mouth dropped open. “Marks?” he whispered, “What kind of marks?”

“Do you want me to tell you? Really?” Tavish shook his head at Alistair. “I saw things in my years as a doctor that I don’t want to see again. Women hurt, scarred, broken, and bleeding. Badly. Women from the Royal Army, who should hold their own against their husbands, boyfriends, lovers, whatever - but are too mentally impaired to do it. This is one of the reasons why I’m not a doctor anymore.”

“I’m not like that, Tavish Uilleam. I don’t hurt women.”

“No?” Tavish raised an eyebrow, “What do you call it, then? Is there a limit? What do you call hurting? And what have you been doing with all the others after that bitch of a wife?”

Tavish’s words shocked Alistair. “Do you think I would scar and bleed a woman?” he breathed. “Yes, there is a limit. Women that enter this kind of relationship usually set boundaries and,” he stared at his brother’s eyes for a moment, green pairing green, “I-” he raked his hand in his long hair.
My own brother. Fuck. Leave the past in the past, Alistair Connor. Worry about the future
. “She-” he interrupted himself and asked in a low voice, “What do you think I should do? With Sophia, I mean.”

“I don’t know. Maybe become the young Alistair Connor again? Go slow with her.” Tavish squeezed Alistair’s hand and let it go, “You need to think about it. Does she deserve punishment? Do you?”

“Punishment?”
Tavish saw marks on Heather’s body. Am I a monster?

“Does she, Alistair Connor?” Tavish repeated, studying his brother’s face.

“No,” his voice hoarse, “not at all.”

“So, you know what to do,” was Tavish’s quiet answer.

London. Leibowitz Oil Building, Sophia’s Office.

Thursday, March 11
^th
, 2010.

09.56 a.m.

09:56. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Morning, Beauty.

09:56. Sophia: Humph!

09:57. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Are you huffing at me?

09:57. Sophia: Yeah! I am.

09:57. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Oh, Sophia! You shouldn’t!

09:57. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Why did you turn off your iPhone and not answer even one of my calls?

09:58. Sophia: I don’t like neurotic men.

09:58. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Are you calling me neurotic?

09:59. Sophia: Oh, please. Where is your sense of humor? It’s too early to start fighting.

09:59. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Humph!

10:00. Sophia: Really? Call me when you’re in a better mood.

10:00. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Sophia, DON’T turn your mobile off.

10:01. Sophia: I’ll think about it.

10:01. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: Sophia. I’m warning YOU.

10:02. Sophia: I’m not afraid of your threats.

10:02. I’m-so-handsome-and-I-know-it: You should be.

10:03. Sophia: Go see a shrink.

Scotland, Edinburgh. The City of London Bank.

1.45 p.m.

“Fuck,” Alistair swore loudly and banged his fist on the table. “Why did Douglas give this extensive credit line to such a small firm?” He rose from the chair and strolled to the window, watching the cars passing on the street below.

“I think we should call them to a meeting, today or tomorrow,” Tavish suggested, “and demand some guaranties.”

Alistair sighed heavily and turned to look at his brother, “Aye. Do it. Today or tomorrow. Not after one o’clock, though. I need to be in London before four.”

“I did some research, Alistair Connor. And I’ve talked to Douglas. I knew he wouldn’t be so careless. There is a solid family run distillery behind this firm. The father will probably vouch for his son. I’ll set a meeting with both.”

“The sooner, the better. I want to get back to London.” He fished his iPhone from his trouser pocket and speed-dialed Sophia’s number.

“Brother, this woman is turning you head over heels. I just hope she really is different,” Tavish shook his head at Alistair and left his brother’s office, a worried look on his rugged face.

“Sophia, it’s me, Alistair Connor,” he huffed.

“Hi, Handsome,” Sophia’s mouth spread in a wide grin. “What time are you arriving?”

He exhaled loudly, “Thing is, Sophia, I probably can’t get back today. I wish I could, but I’ve just found out that the Edinburgh branch granted a substantial loan without any collateral or guaranties. Tavish Uilleam is trying to schedule a meeting for later today or tomorrow morning.”

Sophia’s smile waned, “Oh. But… is everything okay?”

“I hope so. I still have some minor problems to see to but that’s the worst. I’m sorry. I can’t return today,” a longing tone in his voice. “You were right when you said we would be apart a long time. I wish you were here with me.”

I wish, too
. “Tomorrow, Handsome. It’s just a few hours. They’ll fly by.”

“They won’t,” he complained, “they’ll crawl.”

Sophia smiled, “Are you pouting?”

“It seems so,” he smiled and then frowned at his childish reaction.
Stop this, Alistair Connor. Man up
. “So, what are you going to do tonight?”

“I’m going to dream about you,” she sighed.

“So, will I.” And Alistair’s face split into a broad, devious smile, “Naughty dreams, Sophia? The kind that leave you horny and wet?”

Sophia felt a rush of desire travel through her body, gathering at the pit of her belly. She tightened her thighs and murmured hoarsely, “Yes.”

“And do you seek release? Do you touch yourself?”

Sophia drew a sharp breath and felt giddy, “Alistair Connor!”

His sexy laughter echoed through his office, “Such a prude, Beauty. I can’t wait to debauch you.”

“You deviant.”

“What I’ll do to you, Sophia, you can’t even start to imagine,” he whispered in a sensuous tone.

Oh, my!
“Alistair Connor, is this a booty call?”

“Aye, consider it. Please. I can send the G6 for you. Now.”

Oh, yeah. Please do
. “I have to work, Alistair Connor. Stop tempting me.”

“Never, Sophia, never. I have an agenda to achieve.”

An agenda…
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“You. In my bed.”

Ah!
Sophia bit her lip to avoid moaning out loud. She inhaled deeply. Again. “I see.”

“And?” he breathed.

“And what?”

“Will you help me fulfill it?”

Oh, God, this man is impossible
. “Alistair Connor, I will consider your kind request.”

“Who said it was a request?” he laughed, quietly. “Look at it more as a warning, Sophia.”

Warning?
“Be careful, it can have the opposite effect, Handsome.”

“Sophia, I’m a master strategist. I never lose. You will fall. It’s just a matter of time.”

“If I fall, I’ll take you with me, Alistair Connor,” she purred.

“I live in hope, Sophia. Believe me. I do.”

London. Leibowitz Oil Building.

3.20 p.m.

The intercom buzzed, interrupting Sophia’s thoughts. “Yes, Sarah?”

“Mrs. L, it’s Mr. Ashford on your private line. It’s his second call. He insists on talking to you.”

Sophia blew out an irritated breath, “Transfer it, Sarah, please. And call Edward for me, will you? Tell him to come in without knocking. I’ll leave the door open.”

Edward entered Sophia’s office quietly and looked around. She stood by the windows looking at the River Thames while she talked on the phone.

“No, I’m sorry. I can’t,” she said softly but firmly.

He paused in the middle of the room and admired Sophia’s elegant and lean body delineated against London gray sky. He cleared his throat, catching her attention.

Sophia turned with a smile on her face and rolled her eyes heavenward making a face at the phone. “Ethan,” she mouthed to Edward.

He smiled back and walked up to where she stood, kissing her brow.

“I didn’t promise that, Ethan. Maybe we can schedule a lunch next week, but I’m busy this weekend.” She listened and replied to him, “Okay. I’ll make time for it next week and let you know, all right? I really have to go. I’ll send you an e-mail as soon as I make the reservations.”

Edward sternly shook his head at her and she waved his scowl away.

“Yes, okay. Do it and e-mail me. Take care, Ethan. Until next week.”

“Sophia, I don’t like this,” Edward frowned at her. “He’s being very insistent. It’s obvious that he still has feelings for you.”

“Please, Edward. We’ve talked about it. He’s just a friend. Nothing more.”

“You feel guilty. I don’t understand why. But I bet that is why you keep answering his calls. It’s not healthy. You should talk with Dr. Kent about this.”

“I will, I will. But really, I don’t see any harm in going out for a lunch. He’s a gentleman. And I have so few friends here.”

“Hmm. Just promise me you won’t encourage-”

“Edward! I don’t encourage anything. This isn’t funny. I would never play with Ethan’s feelings. He understands that we are just friends now. We had a lengthy talk over a lunch last Tuesday.”

Edward gapped at her.

“What?”

“You went out with him again,” he whispered.

“Oh, please, Edward. I didn’t go to bed with him. We had a quick lunch together. That’s it. I owed it to him.”

“Sophia, you owned him nothing. The guy hurt you. You should have gone to the police and pressed charges.” Edward’s temper spiked and he bristled, “I don’t believe what I’m hearing and I don’t believe I have to convince you of this. It’s your specialty. You worked on those kinds of cases in Brazil. How, tell me, how can you forgive an abuser like Ethan? He’s a violent man. You have to stop seeing him, Sophia.”