Page 187 of Pervade London
30 seconds.
“I’m sorry.” The crushing injustice of it all made my chest ache.
I saw Kitty standing beside a sports car. Scurrying away from Penn-Rhodes, I made my way over to her.She took the violin case from me and rounded the other side of the car, where she was now hidden from the crowd.
A motorbike roared towards us and swerved by where we were standing. The pick-up of the phone was as discreet as it was fast. The driver sped off.
I looked back the way I’d come, and saw Penn-Rhodes talking with Patrick Woo next toThe Venetian’sramp.
Another chance slipping away…
“Get in,” snapped Kitty.
Reluctantly, I leaped into the front and was thrust back as we zoomed away. Only now did I realize that sweat had snaked down my back, causing my dress to stick to my spine. My hands were shaking.
After a while, The London Eye came into view and I focused on the exquisite colors as they changed from blue to purple and back to blue.
Kitty pulled the car over and we came to a stop.
I swung a worried look her way.
All I could think of was Patrick Woo’s disappointment as I’d turned my back on him, refusing to speak.
Kitty narrowed her eyes at the rearview. “Your ride’s here.” She nodded for me to get out.
“Who is he really?” I had to ask. “James?”
“Your worst nightmare.” She flashed a sexy smile. “Serving Her Majesty’s every whim, no less.”
My hand reached for the handle. “Sorry I stood you up tonight, Kitty.”
“Goodbye, Emily.”
I flung the door open.
I hurried toward the town car behind us. The rear passenger door opened, and James gestured for me to join him. Slumping in the seat beside his, I tried to calm my racing heart, realizing I’d left the violin case with Kitty—not that it mattered now.
“Primrose Hill,” James ordered the driver.
The glass divider rose up between us and the chauffeur.
We were going home.
He pulled me into a hug, and I rested my head on his shoulder, Kitty’s words about his nightmare reputation haunting me.
“How do you know Diana Zane?” I looked to him for the answer.
“Need to know basis, Em.” He flashed me a dazzling smile.
“You know what she means to me?”
“I know.”
This man was intoxicating, and after seeing how he’d handled his attacker, I had a renewed sense of respect for him.
We pulled up outside the Primrose Hill house. James sat looking straight ahead, seemingly deep in thought, making no effort to get out of the car. His delay and our silence were too painful for me to endure.
Finally, I broke the quiet. “You’re not coming in, are you?”
