Page 147 of The Rogue and His Flower

“When?” Drix asks, frowning.

“April. He’s away on business the entire time. I’ll get my chance then. That’s partly why I can’t help out with your situation, Dalton. I’m planning on taking Elodie with me to Los Angeles with the band whilst we’re in talks with a couple ofrecord labels. Get away for a bit. I’ve sunk most of my savings into getting alone time with her.”

“Ben, I get it,” I say. “You don’t owe me anything. Least of all an explanation.”

“Mate, that’s fucked up,” Drix says. “You can’t just buy her time, or her for that matter. What you’re doing isn’t right. She’ll hate you for it.”

“You don’t have to tell me that because I fucking know,alright?” He counters angrily. “But I’ve got to try. There’s no one else for me, Drix. I expect you of all people to understand that.”

“This won’t end well,” Drix warns him.

“I know that too,” Ben agrees, sighing heavily. “I’ve got one month to place a wedge between them, and to get her back.”

“This is a dangerous game you’re playing,” I point out. “We all know what her husband is like. He’s got a lot of connections, many of them with people you don’t want to fuck with.”

“He’s a fool. I can handle him,” Ben snaps. “And as for his connections, I’m not concerned, I have them too. If it comes down to it, I’m not afraid to call in some favours.”

None of us try to persuade him to not go through with this. Firstly, Ben is stubborn, and secondly, Ben has power of his own. Like our own families, the Pike’s have a sordid history of underhand dealings and criminal activity. Ben’s dad, Walter, might’ve stepped away from that life just like our own fathers’ have, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still have the ability to fall back into that world should the need arise.

“So, have you told Harlow about your synesthesia? Does she know what hearing her sing does to you?” I ask, changing the subject. “Maybe she’ll refrain from singing around you if she knew.”

He shakes his head. “No. I don’t want her to think I’m a freak, that I’mobsessedwith her.”

Ben lifts his brows. “Firstly, you’re not a freak. You’re a fucking talented artist, the five million pounds you have in your bank says as much–”

“Tell that to my father. You know how he feels about my art,” Sterling throws back. “He couldn’t give a fuck about how much I’ve earned from selling my paintings. The Blade’s are born to be businessmen, not artists.”

“Point taken,” Ben concedes. “The obsession part, however…” A smile pulls up Ben’s lips that only seems to wind-up Sterling more.

“Oh, fuck off, Ben. You’re one to talk,” he grumbles.

“Hey, dinner is ready,” Harlow says, her appearance making Sterling stiffen and the rest of us turn to face her.

She stands in the doorway, her long blonde hair piled up on her head in a messy bun, her gaze flicking between us as she waits. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sterling straighten his spine, gathering himself to face her. Fuck, I feel for him.

“We’ll be there in a minute,” Sterling mumbles, barely able to look at her.

“Okay.” She nods, her gaze lingering on Sterling for a few moments before she smiles at the rest of us, then she turns on her heel and leaves.

Sterling blows out a ragged breath. “So, do you want the money, Dalton?” he asks.

Making a decision, I nod. “I’ll pay you back. Every last penny,” I promise.

“I know you will,” Sterling replies with a dip of his head.

“This isn’t just on you, Dalton,” Drix says. “It’s on me too. I’ll help. And if you need a place to stay then you have my flat above the gym. It’s yours if you want it.”

We exchange a look, and for the first time in weeks I can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. “Thank you, that means everything.”

“That was delicious,”Drix says, leaning back in his seat as he throws an arm over the back of Lia’s chair who is sitting beside him.

Daisy hums in agreement, despite barely touching her food. I don’t comment, because now is not the time, but if she thinks she can stop taking care of herself and I’m not going to pull her up on it, she can think again. The minute we’re alone together we’re going to have a talk about that, about a lot of things, actually.

“Yes, thank you for having us,” Lia adds. “This was all so delicious. Please pass on our thanks to your chef.”

“Of course,” Sterling replies, shifting awkwardly in his seat as Harlow reaches for her glass of wine.

“So are you settling in okay?” Lia asks Harlow, her gaze flicking between the two.

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