Free The Price of Winning: London Calling Book Four by Kat Faitour Page A

degree at least.
    He frowned, absently picking up a pen. It was too obvious. He’d have to strike some of the guests, replace them with other elite members of Russia’s finance district who had no connection to the shadows of the illegal sex trade. And he’d add some well-known Russian actors and models.  
    That would help keep the mood light with the focus on Club Hobart rather than the man behind it. Sebastian couldn’t afford for anyone to examine his motives in setting up a round of games where he would be the likely loser. After all, it wouldn’t do to fleece the targets.
    The door opened.  
    Sebastian’s head shot up, his muscles tense. He’d forgotten to lock the door.
    “So you do work in here.” Dominic Martin strolled across the room to flop into one of the French Regency lounge chairs sitting opposite the desk.  
    “Please come in.” Sebastian’s lip curled. “Make yourself comfortable.”
    Dominic blithely ignored him, instead leaning forward to run a hand over the carved front of Sebastian’s desk. “Nice. Nineteenth century partners desk.” He cocked his brow. “Ever consider actually taking on one?”
    Their distrust of each other was equivocal. Sebastian was aware he came off as remote, even indifferent at times. He wasn’t, but he felt no need to justify himself to Martin. “I have a partner. Angeline.”
    Dominic crossed his arms, his eyes straying to the notebook on Sebastian’s desk. “She’s my partner too. I guess that makes us like distant relations in a very dysfunctional family.”
    Sebastian snapped the notebook closed. “Don’t count on it.” He leaned forward and folded his hands on top of his desk, hiding the book. He forced a small smile. “What can I do for you?”
    He had things to do, plans to firm up. He didn’t need the distraction of Dominic Martin getting inside his head.
    “Nothing specific. I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop in to see Nat.” He smiled. “She’s busy, so I figured I’d check in with you. Ask about Moneypenny.”
    “Madeleine?” The other man’s nickname for Ms. Price grated on Sebastian. “She’s settled on Jersey with Angeline. I have no reason to think she isn’t doing well.”
    Dominic straightened, and the chair leather creaked beneath him. “You haven’t checked?”
    Sebastian opened his mouth to fire off a retort then stopped short. He’d avoided Madeleine since dropping her off at his estate in the Channel Islands. And, he realized, he’d avoided discussing her progress with Angeline. He rubbed his thumb along the etched scrollwork of the desk’s front edge.  
    “I wanted to give her some time to herself.” His visit to Chicago had been intensely emotional. The explosions. The gunman. The loss of Madeleine’s parents. Her fragile state.
    Their kiss before it all started.
    Sebastian remembered every moment of their scorching embrace. Every caress, every touch of their lips and tongues were embedded in his memory. Sometimes, he thought he could still taste her.
    But then he’d recall the boat ride they shared on Lake Michigan. Her grief at saying goodbye to her parents had been palpable, yet she’d handled it. With grace and elegant sadness, she’d done what was necessary.  
    And Sebastian had as well. He’d pushed their kiss and the feel of her in his arms from his mind. Madeleine needed support and friendship. Someone to look out for her. Take care of her.
    He rolled his neck. He knew better than anyone he wasn’t that man. Angeline could do all those things.  
    But he should have checked in.  
    “I think I’ll take a trip over to see her.”  
    Dominic’s words jerked Sebastian’s attention back to the other man. “Why?” He didn’t wait for him to answer and quickly changed tack. “ I’ll do that. She needs rest and peace. Not visitors barging in unannounced.”  
    Dominic’s eyes narrowed. “I’d hardly be unannounced, credit me with some manners. Plus, you act like I’m a