Page 16 of Taming Liberty

He jumps, nearly flinging the phone before he looks at me with startled eyes. “Shit.” He slides his phone into his pocket and straightens his spine. “I just had to check something real quick.”

I squint at him, taking a moment to realize he’s trying to explain to me why he was on his phone.

“I couldn’t give less of a fuck. Where’s Sawyer?”

When a voice booms behind the door to the sitting room, my eyes dart to the glass. Blinds in the panes block me from seeing inside.

“He isn’t here, sir,” Cooper says.

I drag my gaze to him only long enough to scowl before I throw open the door and step into the room.

Jasper and Monty Chaffer sit across from each other, Jasper in a chair, Chaffer on the couch, each holding a glass of liquor in their hands. Smoke curls off the tip of Chaffer’s cigar, and when he turns to see who’s entered the room, he smiles.

No sign of Sawyer.

“Ramos,” he greets me in his thick Bulgarian accent, raising his hand in a welcoming gesture. “I’d begun to think you’d moved away considering how long it’s been since you visited. Come in, my friend. Join us.”

He waves me in as if this is his home to do the inviting. I’m surprised to see him here. He and Sawyer don’t get along.

“Good to see you, Chaffer.” I tip my chin. “I’d join you, but I’m trying to find Sawyer. Have you seen him?”

“You don’t already know?” Jasper answers.

When I move my eyes to him, the temperature in the room lowers a degree. A small enough amount that it’s barely noticeable, but enough to create a slight discomfort. Chaffer must pick up on it because he lowers his cigar and looks between the two of us inquisitively.

“If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking,” I say, my tone somewhere between a friendly tease and a condescending sneer.

“My apologies.” Jasper sets down his glass, steepling his fingers. “Sawyer left for Shanghai this morning. Considering you’re his business partner, I assumed you were aware.”

I give my head a shake. “He just got back.”

“And then he had to leave.” He replies slowly, saying it with the same tone you’d use to speak to a person who asked why water is wet. “Some emergency… If I had to guess, I’d say things are not going well.”

Fuck.

“Did you need something?” he asks with so much smugness it makes my teeth hurt. “Sawyer put me in charge until he gets back.”

I release the tension in my jaw. “Bullshit.”

Jasper smirks.

“Is something going on between you two?” Chaffer asks. He would love to hear that there’s friction between me and Sawyer. They’re polite but strained acquaintances at best, arch nemeses at worst. Both want control of the island. Both, in a way, have it. Sawyer may be the proverbial president, but Chaffer is the governor.

“No,” I say, my voice a little too firm. I point my stare at Jasper. “I’m borrowing April for the afternoon. I’ll bring her back in a couple of hours.”

“Hmm.” He twists his lips. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. Considering what happened last night.”

Chaffer rests his cigar on an ashtray, a stream of smoke rising to the ceiling as he leans forward with interest. “What happened last night?”

“Nothing,” I say.

Jasper smirks. “Angel killed a slave.”

“Another?” Chaffer’s eyes widen, and he turns them to me.

My teeth grit, and Chaffer offers me his palms and shrugs in silent surrender. “Sorry,” he says. “I’m sure it was an accident, I’m just surprised. Lightning doesn’t typically strike twice.”

I ignore the comment and look at Jasper. “I’m taking April with me for a couple of hours. It isn’t a request, I’m just giving you the courtesy of letting you know.”

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