Page 28 of Scarlet Angel

Me

There’s no reason for concern. He died because of his wife, nothing to do with a deal.

Halston

Dorian’s helping me smooth things over. When he returns, answer his questions. Let’s put this behind us.

Me

When is he returning?

Why the fuck didn’t he stop back by before heading to the airport?

I wait for a response, staring at the black screen for too long.

It appears Mr. Anonymous ratted out Leo to multiple parties. Damn. Did Halston get the same message? If yes, is this his way of handling the issue? Sending me a device to use and telling me he’s taking charge?

I scan the line of Sectra Tigers. I scratched letters into the outer case to help me tell them apart, but I always double-check myself by reviewing the profile in the settings.

Against my better judgment, I shoot an encrypted message to Nomad:

Questions are being asked about the wreck. I need to know who is asking.

There’s a rap at the door, and before I get a word out, it opens.

Lina grins wide, like a showgirl presenting a trophy. “Look who showed up.”

The slim, brown-skinned man stands behind my sister with a Cheshire grin and his hand on my sister’s arse.

“Nooyi, what the hell?” I step around the desk. “What brings you to the country? Did you take a chopper? I didn’t hear?—”

“You’ve been locked away for hours. Elephants could stampede the gardens and you wouldn’t hear squat.”

“Elephants?” Lina’s flirty comment is directed at Amir, but the scoundrel’s a waste of effort.

“My helicopter is in your pasture. Close up shop. There’s a party tonight you shall not want to miss.”

“And they’re going to let you in?”

He laughs the laugh of an arrogant prick. Amir Nooyi is one of my best mates from my boarding school days, and he’s the king of Alliance shipping. Or perhaps heir is the choice descriptor. He’s also an investor in a number of lucrative Indian enterprises.

Lina claps her palms together. “I’ll get Scarlet. Oh, this will be fun.”

Scarlet appears in the hall behind them with an expression that can only be described as deer-in-the-headlights.

“It’s a Monday. I can’t simply take off.” I really can’t. I’ve got to figure out who is sticking their nose up my arsehole.

“It’ll be worth your time,” Amir says. I recognize his mischievous grin. The fuck is as wily as ever.

“Have you got the paps on standby? Looking for some exposure?”

Lina visibly brightens because, of course, she does. She fancies herself a social media influencer, although fuck me if that’s a business.

“Sod off. And you’re still coming,” Amir says.

Amir’s parents want him to settle down in an arranged marriage, following their path, but he’ll never succumb. Amir has too much fun playing the field and no reason to cave. His parents have already given him the keys to the empire.

“I’m not coming.” I catch Scarlet’s gaze, and a sophomoric urge to make a crude joke flourishes but never passes my lips. “Scarlet.”

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