Page 38 of The Beast's Broken Angel
“As you can see from the third-quarter projections,” Harrison continued, “the Docklands development is showing a fifteen percent increase in expected return, largely due to the rezoning approval we secured last month.”
Secured through bribes and blackmail of the planning commission, though none of the board members needed to know those details. The beauty of Harrison's role was his ability to translate blood and violence into sterile corporate outcomes. The suit who made brutality look like business.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, a welcome distraction. Dominic's text message glowed on the screen:
Dominic
Nurse checked Isabelle out of hospital against protocol. Taking her to gallery showing in Mayfair. Halcyon Gallery.
A bolt of irritation shot through me, followed immediately by something warmer, more interesting. Noah's disobedience should anger me, should trigger the cold calculation of appropriate punishment. Instead, I felt a spike of anticipation. The healer challenging the monster once again, despite witnessing the consequences of defiance firsthand.
“If you'll excuse me, gentlemen,” I interruptedHarrison mid-projection, rising abruptly from my seat at the head of the table. “Mr. Blackwood will complete the presentation.”
The board members shifted uncomfortably, unused to disruptions in the carefully choreographed ritual of corporate governance. I caught the flicker of calculation in Harrison's eyes as he processed my departure, too quick for others to notice, but unmistakable to someone who'd spent decades watching for betrayal in every glance.
“We'll email the complete portfolio analysis this afternoon,” Harrison smoothly covered the awkward moment, transitioning back to his presentation with practised ease.
I was nearly to the door when he appeared at my side, moving with remarkable speed for a man his age.
“Everything alright?” Harrison inquired with perfectly modulated concern. “The Vega situation is contained, but perhaps I should accompany you.”
I studied him for a moment, noting the eager offering. Harrison's surveillance attempts had grown increasingly transparent since Noah's arrival at Ravenswood. His sudden interest in my movements suggested deeper concerns than mere professional attention.
“A personal matter,” I replied vaguely. “Continue without me.”
A flash of frustration crossed his features before disappearing behind his corporate mask. “Of course. I'll have Dominic bring the car around.”
“No need. He's handling another situation for me.”
The lie came easily, another small test. If Harrison truly had connections to the Vegas or other rivals, monitoring which of my men accompanied me could provide valuable intelligence on my movements. His slight hesitation before nodding confirmed my suspicion that he was tracking my securityarrangements.
“Very well. I'll brief you on the outcome this evening.”
I left him standing in the hallway, already dialling Viktor to bring the car around. Noah had chosen an interesting moment to test his boundaries, one that couldn't have been better timed to pull me from Harrison's watchful presence.
Dominic called as my Bentley pulled into Mayfair traffic, his voice tight with barely controlled anger.
“I've got eyes on them inside the gallery,” he reported. “Arrived ten minutes ago. The sister's in a wheelchair, but mobile. Doesn't look like a medical emergency.”
“Stay back,” I instructed. “Observe only.”
“Boss,” Dominic's voice dropped lower, “he's taking the piss. After what happened with Parker, he goes and pulls this? You want me to remind him of the rules?”
The offer was typical Dominic, direct and physical. He'd been with me since we were teenagers running small-time protection rackets in East London, his loyalty forged in blood and shared violence. While Viktor approached security with cold professionalism, Dominic took breaches personally, each one an affront to his protective instincts.
“I'll handle this myself,” I replied, watching Halcyon Gallery come into view. “How did they get there?”
“Taxi from Westminster Memorial. He signed her out AMA, against medical advice. Doctors weren't happy about it.”
I could hear Dominic's disapproval through the line. He didn't understand my interest in Noah, viewing him as just another acquisition who needed breaking. Dominic categorised people simply: loyal or disloyal, useful or expendable. Noah's continued resistance registered as disrespect that demanded correction.
“What's her artwork like?” I asked, surprising myself with the question.
Dominic paused, clearly thrown by the unexpected inquiry. “What?”
“Her paintings. Are they any good?”
Another pause. “Yeah, actually. Dark stuff. People tangled up in medical tubes, but beautiful somehow. Got a bunch of posh types clustering around them.”
