Torn (Deep 8, #5)

2. Harlow

TWO

Harlow

London’s bustling streets fade into the background as Roger and I weave through the city, the weight of uncertainty hangs over us like a storm cloud. The determined clicking of my heels on the pavement keeps me going, a metronome of purpose in the chaos. I hate wearing heels, but a buttoned-up appearance is necessary for the charade of being Lucas’s personal assistant.

Roger walks beside me, his stride purposeful, but his mind elsewhere. I steal a glance at him, his strong jawline, and piercing blue eyes catch me off guard. His confidence and good looks make my stomach flutter, despite the gravity of our situation. It’s amazing how even on the run, I can’t help but appreciate how handsome he is. I caught him glancing at me when I felt the surge of energy coursing over my skin as we touched. I’ve avoided this kind of intense attraction for years, but he may be tougher to resist.

"So, Harlow." Roger breaks the silence. "Any brilliant ideas on how to find my father?" He says with a sarcastic tone.

I keep my eyes forward. "I was going to ask for an audience with the Queen requesting MI-6’s involvement. You think she would help us out?"

He smirks with a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You’re a real charmer. I have things with MI-6 covered, but thanks anyway."

I’m not surprised. Lucas bragged about his well-connected son. I know a lot more about Roger than he thinks I know. If he’s anything like his father, I have my work cut out for me in the self-serving department.

We turn the corner and find ourselves in a quieter part of the city. The realization hits us, we need a plan. We need a place to crash, away from prying eyes, a base of operations.

"How about this? Going back to your flat is out of the question, which I’m sure would be delightful. Instead, we'll find a hotel off the beaten path, lock ourselves in a room, and hack into this computer," Roger suggests, the corners of his mouth twitch, fighting a smile.

A crisp breeze whips around me chilling me to the bone, a foreboding of things to come. I nod, a plan forming in my mind. "Let me make it clear. We’re doing this to find your father, and then we’ll go our separate ways."

"Trust me, the feeling is mutual. Besides, you owe me a story. I plan on cashing in that chip. We also need to ditch your phone."

"And what about your phone?"

"Mine is secure and encrypted. I doubt ASIO gave you a high-tech phone."

I raise my brow. "They did. I think we’re okay for now." I pat his shoulder.

My stomach sinks, knowing how I have to spin my intentions when it comes to Lucas Bane. "We should take the train to Bath. I have a friend who rents guesthouses. We need to get out of the city and into a secluded location."

"It sounds like you’re trying to get me alone. Do you always take advantage of unknowing American men by luring them to romantic spots in the English countryside?"

"Mr. Bane, I didn’t say anything about romance. This is strictly business. I doubt anything is unknowing about you." If I only believed my lies as his words tug at me. My fingers still tingle where they brushed up against him.

The train pulls away from the station and I tap out a text to my friend in Bath. His reply was not what I expected. "The only guesthouse available has one room with a king-sized bed, a bathroom, kitchen, and sitting area."

"If we’re going to be sharing close quarters, please call me Roger. It’ll be easier to remember while you try to seduce me." Roger gives me a side-eye with a turned-up lip.

My body gravitates toward him as my nose tickles his ear. "If I wanted to seduce you, there would be no trying." I sit back, missing the heat generated by some unknown chemistry with a man I barely know. My body hasn’t reacted to a man like this in a long time.

His thumb strokes my forearm. "We’ll have to make do." His eyes are serious.

Quiet tension left over from our exchange fills the remainder of the trip. I’m overheated and flushed, but I won’t let him observe my condition. I don’t need him to get the wrong idea. We have a job to do.

My purpose in working with him includes finding out what Lucas knows about my father’s death. I’ve been into every nook and cranny Lucas has but have been unable to find a link between him and my father. Roger may give me some answers without knowing it.

We enter the immense 17th-century hotel, and the receptionist spares us a glance before handing us the key to a cottage. We’re directed outside and to the back, the perfect location. The gravel crunches under our feet as we make our way to the ivy-covered beige stone cottage with an arched dark wooden door.

The space inside is tidy, adorned with chintz wallpaper, and accented with an autumn color palette. Roger checks every corner and window, looking for the entry points and bugs. His body fills out his clothes indicating he keeps in shape, another weakness for me.

He turns my way. "You think hacking into Lucas's computer will give us answers?" Roger asks, his tone more serious now.

I purse my lips, contemplating the possibilities. "It's a shot in the dark, but it's our best shot. We need to find out who he was working with and what he was involved in."

"You say that as if he’s guilty of something." His eyes narrow.

"He got plucked off the dock and taken away, dangling in the air. I don’t want you to be caught off guard if he’s into something shady." I fight to keep my arms to my sides, resisting a defensive pose, worried I’ve given away too much.

"You know more than you’re letting on." He steps closer.

Damn, he reads me too well. "I don’t know anything. I want you to be prepared for the worst-case scenario."

"Harlow, are you worried about me?" There’s no mirth in his tone and I shrug it off.

I scoff, but there's a hint of a smile playing on my lips. "Don't flatter yourself, Roger. I don't want to end up chasing down your father alone."

He raises an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Afraid you'll miss me? Sounds like someone is getting attached."

I roll my eyes, rubbing the tattoo on my arm that means the most, standing in the middle of our temporary sanctuary. "Let's just find Lucas and get this over with." I try to convince myself.

As the afternoon light fades, a dim light casts shadows across Roger's face, emphasizing the lines of determination etched there. "Why are you so determined to find my father?"

"Because he’s my boss and I’m responsible for what happens to him. The whole event made a statement but I’m not sure what the message is." He examines me with questioning eyes. "I’m going to get some fresh air. There’s a Thai place down the street. Does that work for you?"

He takes my hand in his. "I know what you’re going through. There’s a heavy guilt when we lose the ones we are supposed to protect. We’ll find him. We need to stay sharp."

I pull my hand out of his, wrapping my arms around my waist. His words hit me hard for many reasons. I nod and rush for the door, closing it behind me.

Sweat beads on my forehead and the memories that haunt me resurface, but I push them away. At any given moment, my past can hit me like a freight train, bringing me back to the moment that changed the course of my life.

A light mist covers the streets as the streetlamps reflect off the shiny pavement. Tourists mill around, unaware of the mark on my back and the bullet that may come from any angle. I keep my head on a swivel and look for anything suspicious while staying in the shadows.

Shadows consume my life. I live here because it’s safer, observing life from the outside, and waiting for opportunities to save the victims. This was my calling from an early age and one I have accepted.

Roger has put an interesting twist on my mission to discover what’s going on with Lucas. As his son, he’ll only see his father’s innocence. I was assigned to the ambassador to investigate his dealings, but I have an ulterior motive no one knows about. I will follow this to the end, with or without Roger’s help. We may be at odds, but in this pursuit of truth, we're in it together.