Shades of Trust

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Scotland, Edinburgh

The City of London Bank

3:45 p.m.

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

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

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

“I did some research, Alistair Connor. And I ‘ave 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 face.

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

“Hi, Handsome. 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.”

“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.” There was a longing in his voice. “You were right when you said we would be apart a long time. I wish you were here with me.”

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

Sophia felt giddy. “Yes.”

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

“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 sensuously.

“Alistair Connor, is this a booty call?”

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

“I have to work, Alistair Connor. Stop tempting me.”

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

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“You. In my bed.”

She inhaled deeply. Again. “I see.”

“And?” he breathed.

“And what?”

“Will you help me fulfill it?”

“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.”

“Careful, Handsome. It can have the opposite effect.”

“Beauty, 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.”

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. And call Edward for me, will you? Tell him to come in without knocking. I’ll leave the door open.”

A few minutes later, Edward entered Sophia’s office quietly and looked around.

She stood by the windows looking at the River Thames, talking 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 the gray London 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. She mouthed to Edward, ‘Ethan.’

He smiled back, walked up to her and kissed 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.

She waved his scowl away. “Yes, okay. Do it and e-mail me. Take care. 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. I’d 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 gaped 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.”

“You owed 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.”

“You’re making a mountain out of a molehill, Edward. I’m involved with Alistair, and what happened with Ethan is in the past.”

“So leave it in the past. Don’t answer his calls and don’t go out with him anymore. If you meet him, be polite, but from afar.”

Sophia studied Edward’s face. “Okay, all right. Maybe I’m being too lenient with Ethan. Maybe your view of the facts is correct.”

“Sometimes your inexperience in these s****l matters baffles me, you know?” He shook his head. “There is no maybe here, Sophia. Listen to my advice. I know what I’m talking about.”

“Yes, Papa, I’ll obey your orders.” Sophia kissed his cheek and walked to her chair.

He smiled at her tease and sat in one of the armchairs by her desk. “So, what did you call me for?”

Atwood House

10:49 p.m.

Sophia’s cell phone pinged, stopping the music for a second. She picked up her iPhone, programmed the music separately on the Wi-Fi, and searched for the message.

Handsome. 10:49 p.m. - Are you sleeping?

Sophia. 10:49 p.m. - If I were, I’d have gladly awoken.

Handsome. 10:49 p.m. - I’m at a boring dinner. Another one. The same blah-blah-blah. What are you wearing?

Sophia. 10:50 p.m. - Ha-ha!

Handsome. 10:50 p.m. - Indulge me. I’m hundreds of miles away.

Sophia. 10:51 p.m. - Pay attention to your dinner partners.

Handsome. 10:51 p.m. - I can only think of you.

Sophia smiled naughtily and texted.

Sophia. 10:52 p.m. - Nothing.

Handsome. 10: 52 p.m. - Nothing, what?

Sophia. 10:53 p.m. - I’m naked. I sleep naked.

Handsome. 10:53 p.m. - Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

Sophia. 10:53 p.m. - N-A-K-E-D!

Handsome. 10:54 p.m. - Please, God, have mercy.

Sophia. 10:54 p.m. - Everything all right UP there?

Handsome. 10:54 p.m. - NO. I don’t think I’ll be able to stand up.

Sophia thought for a second and her malicious smile turned into giggle. She shoved the sheets away and rolled on the bed, resting on her stomach, supporting herself on her forearms.

Sophia. 10:56 p.m. - Want a blow job?

Handsome. 10:57 p.m. - JESUS CHRIST! You’re going to kill me from afar.

Sophia. 10:58 p.m. - No? Something lighter then. Hmm.

Handsome. 10:58 p.m. - You’re too distracting.

Sophia. 11:00 p.m. – My hand is in your tailored trousers looking for something hard.

Handsome. 11:01 p.m. - ENOUGH. See you tomorrow.

Sophia laughed harder and sent her last message.

Sophia. 11:01 p.m. - Tomorrow, Handsome. Sweet dreams…if you can sleep.

Leibowitz Oil Building

Friday, March 12, 2010

4:00 p.m.

Sophia sat still for several minutes looking at the pulsing cursor on the blank page of her e-mail.

Standing up, she blew an irritated sigh that made a lock of her midnight-black hair fall over her eye. Irritated, she pushed it aside. She’d never had any trouble figuring out how to solve Leibowitz’s problems before. Since lunchtime, she hadn’t managed a decent thought and now the day was ending. I can’t call Edward again. He’s going to tell me to f**k off. Literally.

Alistair kept popping into her head. He hadn’t been able to return yesterday as he predicted and she missed him. A lot.

What shall I do? Am I prepared to plunge into another relationship so soon? She went to the window and placed her hands on the glass, not really looking at the astonishing view of the river. Oh, damn! Who am I fooling? I’m already in it. Deep.

She flexed her shoulder muscles, and as she remembered her chat with Felipe the day before, a daring smile formed. She returned to her table and picked up her iPhone to call Alice. Ariadne answered the phone.

“Hi, little princess. How are you?”

“Hello, Sophia. I’m fine. I miss you.”

“I miss you too, sweetie. Is your mother home?”

“Yes, hold on,” Ariadne shouted, “Mummy, Sophia’s on the phone.” Returning to the speaker she said, “She’s coming. How is Gabriela?”

“She’s okay. Planning our next trip.” Sophia chuckled. “She’s always plotting against me.”

“Can I come with you? Can I?” Ariadne begged.

“Sure, sweetie. Well, I mean, if your parents allow it.”

Sophia heard Alice’s voice, “Let me talk to Sophia, Ari. Go finish your homework.”

“Bye, Sophia. Don’t forget me.”

“As if I could, dear.” Ariadne had won a special place in her heart. In truth, the whole family had.

“Hello, Sophia. How are you?”

“Hi, Alice. I’m fine. Thanks. How are you?”

“I’m fine, dear. But I bet you’re better. There’s something different in your voice today. I’d say, uh, that you’re happier. Am I wrong?”

Sophia’s laugh tinkled in her office. “No. You’re right. I’ll confide in you, since I need your help. But you have to give me your word that you’ll keep this a secret until I, uh, tell you that it’s not a secret anymore, all right?”

“Oh! I love secrets!” Alice answered in a whisper.

“Look, I haven’t decided yet because I haven’t talked to—Well, before I let know you know what I’m planning,” she said nervously, “I need to know if Gabriela can stay with you tonight?”

Sophia heard Alice catch her breath on the other side of the line. “I don’t believe it,” she gushed. “You—Alistair—You decided to…”

The whole idea so excited Sophia that she laughed huskily at Alice’s attempt to phrase her thoughts. “How do you know we haven’t already done it?”

“Oh, come on, Sophia. I know my brother. In fact, I think everyone can feel his tension when you’re near him. You’ve been giving Alistair a hard time.”

“It wasn’t my intention but I’m going to end his suffering.” She laughed again. “Alice…what do you think?”

“Sophia, you’re the best thing that could’ve happened to Alistair. I’ve never seen him happier than he is now.”

“But?”

“I…I don’t know if I ought to say this, but he still carries a heavy burden. Heather—”

“I’d prefer to hear the story from Alistair first, if you don’t mind.” Sophia cut Alice short. “I know he still feels a great pain about Heather and Nathalie and their deaths, but I also have a past. I think we can try to work it out together. I don’t know about Heather, but I’m certain Gabriel wouldn’t want me miserable. Plus, I like your brother as he is.”

“In that case, dear, if he does accept your invitation, tell Maria to bring Gabriela over. Anytime you want. And she can spend the weekend with us. How’s that?”

“Wow! Fantastic. Let me call Alistair.” She paused for a brief moment, uncertain. “Alice, do you think…would he prefer to take the lead?”

“What man wouldn’t like a surprise like this? Be bold.” She laughed. “I like this hidden side of yours.”

“Call you back in a few minutes.” Sophia tapped her nails lightly on her keyboard absently, trying to decide what to do, what to say, excited and aroused by the prospect of making love to Alistair.

She picked up her phone and called him.

At the first ring, he answered with his deep voice. “Sophia,” he breathed, “I’ve missed you.”

His way of answering the phone always amused her. No words or time wasted. “I’ve missed you too. How was your trip?”

“It could have been better. I’ve just arrived and I’m heading home. I’ve had enough for a whole year, and I’ll have to go back, probably next Tuesday.”

His voice was so gruff she started to doubt if this was a good day to seduce him. “Listen, I thought that perhaps we could do something different today.”

“Like what?”

“Of course, if you’re up for it—”

“I’m up for everything with you, Beauty,” he cut in. “Just tell me where it is and I’ll be there.”

“I thought about a quiet evening. You like pasta. I cook a mean pasta with carciofi. We could drink some of the French wine I bought and had no one to share it with,” she babbled. “Perhaps, we could watch a film. At my place. I mean, if you like the idea.”

“Sounds great. Better than anything I could think of.” His voice grew lighter. “Want me to pick you up or shall we meet at your house?”

Talk about mercurial moods. Sophia exhaled the breath caught in her lungs. “If you can pick me up at six that would be fantastic. Call me just before you arrive. I’ll wait for you in the hall.”

“Perfect. Until six then.”

Well, well, well. So far, so good.

Sophia called Alice first to tell her about what she had arranged with Alistair. Then she spoke to Maria, informing her that Gabriela and she were going to spend the weekend with the Allenthorpes. And finally, Lucy, her housekeeper, giving some instructions for the evening.

From that minute on, Sophia couldn’t concentrate on anything. She decided to transfer the criminal case under her review to Paul Evergreen, a brilliant lawyer working for her foundation. She talked with him for a few minutes explaining her strategy. Unfortunately, the client had killed her boyfriend, self-defense or not, with five shots. Evergreen could only try to alleviate the verdict.

Perhaps, if the girl had gone to the authorities asking for help as soon as the guy started beating her, the crime wouldn’t have happened. But ‘if’ is a word that life doesn’t consider. She shook her head, aggravated at the way women let themselves get involved in damaging relationships.

Now Leibowitz’s problems. She touched the intercom, “Edward, could you please come here for a second?”

When Edward entered her office, he stopped dead in his tracks. He raised a finger, silencing her when she opened her mouth. “Don’t tell me. I already know.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Sophia, you are as transparent as glass.” He perched a muscular thigh on her desk. “You decided to give the big guy a chance, huh?”

She laughed, nervously. “Yes, I think so. I planned a quiet evening at home. Pasta, soft music, and you know…”

“Hot sex.” He grinned at her.

“Edward!”

“I didn’t know that grown women still blushed.” His grin widened at her blush. “Let me give you some advice.”

At a quarter to six, Sophia stood naked in her office bathroom drying off from the shower. Trying to get herself somewhat ready for the evening, she regretted arranging for Alistair to pick her up at the office, instead of meeting at her house.

Wearing the same clothes. Way to go, Sophia!

She did her best. She put on a few drops of her favorite perfume, brushed her teeth, and styled her hair. She put on the heavy silk ivory blouse and long, loose caramel silk skirt. A varnished brown belt clung to her small waist and varnished brown peep-toe pumps covered her feet.

When she exited the bathroom, she found Edward waiting for her. He leaned on her bookshelf with an open book in his hand. He closed the book and whistled. “He won’t be able to resist. Don’t worry.”

“That’s not what’s worrying me.” She laughed nervously.

“Hey, love. There’s no need for this. Don’t try to impress him. Just be yourself. You’ve already caught him. I’m sure he isn’t expecting any more than you’re willing to give. Got it?”

“Thanks.” She rose on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “You’re the best friend a woman could possibly have.”

“I’m glad you’ve met someone worthy of you. And you know what they say about number three, don’t you?”

She stared at him, puzzled.

“It’s the charm, love. Number three is the lucky one.” He swatted her butt. “Go. Enjoy your night. I’ll want a full and detailed report on Monday.”

She blushed and he laughed.

She threw her Louis Vuitton monogram bag on her shoulder, picked up her redingote, and exited the office. While heading to the lifts, she looked at her iPhone.

Two calls from Alistair! She sprinted through the corridor, and inside her private lift, tapping her shoe while waiting for the lift to go down, looking at her Cosmograph Daytona Rolex. Damn! I hate being late.

As soon as the door opened on the ground floor, she ran to the sliding doors, almost slamming into them.

Alistair stood waiting for her next to his Range Rover. A lock of his hair, still damp from a recent shower, fell across his eyes. He looked absolutely incredible with a six-button, double-breasted gray cardigan with its collar up, a long black-and-white scarf around his neck, Ascot style. His dark-gray jeans hugged his long legs and made her mouth water.

When he saw her running, he grinned widely and scooped her up by the waist, lifting her and lightly kissing her. “Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“I’m late. Sorry.”

“You’re worth the wait. You smell good.” He nuzzled her neck with his nose. “So, are you going to cook for me tonight?”

“Are you hungry?” she asked, her lips near his.

“Famished,” he said, with a sensual innuendo in his voice and pulled her into his embrace for a deeper kiss, before opening the door for her.