Page 70 of Lady of Darkness
There’s way more murder, espionage, and violence, but okay.
She levels me with her no bullshit gaze. “So, you’re staying here?”
I nod again. “I just… I’m not…”
I don’t know how to explain my situation without giving everything away. One day, I’ll tell her. But not today. She’s still heartbroken over Luka.
“I really like it here,” I conclude.
Her eyes narrow as they scan me. “Well, England suits you. You look great.” She reaches over and pokes my arm. “Have you been working out?”
I shrug. “I’ve been going on walks and doing push-ups and stuff.”
Gemma rears her head back. “Really? But you hate exer–” She grins. “Oh. He exercises, doesn’t he?”
My cheeks redden. “Who?”
“The guy you told me about. The Lord!”
How do I tell her there’s more than one?
“Yeah, I mean, he’s showing me how to run and lift weights.”
She cackles. “I never thought I’d see the day. Harlow Windsor running for fun. I still remember the time Coach Rampor made you run a mile in ninth grade. You nearly shit your pants.”
I laugh. “That’s not true.”
She leans back and sips her tea. “How did you know I was coming?”
Her question startles me. “What do you mean?”
Setting her cup down, she looks at me again, but this time, her face is serious. “There was a weird driver waiting for me at the airport. I didn’t let you know that I was on my way. Luka is… gone… so it couldn’t have been his doing.” She looks around before her eyes find mine again. “So how did you know?”
Fuck.
I didn’t think about that, but of course she would have questions. Screw Theo and his technological meddling.
“Umm…”
Do I tell her everything? Or do I lie?
“I’ll start at the beginning,” I say slowly. It’s better to come clean now. “My father was… special. He was a Duke, but he also had special jobs that he did with four other guys. Now that he’s dead, I have to take over.”
Her face pales. “What the fuck, Harlow? What do you mean, youhaveto take over?” Her eyes widen as she looks around. “Do you need me to call the police?” she whispers.
I laugh. “No. It’s sort of like a special military unit,” I explain. “Anyway, I agreed.Mostlyon my own accord, though that took some time. The guys–the Lords–they’re the ones I was telling you about–”
“Lords?As in multiple Lords?”
I bite my lower lip and wring my hands together. “Yes. Four of them.”
Her mouth drops open as she grins. “Okay, now I can see why you wanted to stay.”
“Anyway, they have… ways… of tracking people. They knew how important you were to me, so they knew you were coming to London.”
She looks flabbergasted. “How?”
“They have their ways.”
