Page 114 of Hold On

“He’s not here.”

“Can you tell me where he is?”

She gave a choked laugh. “No.” Her gaze moved past Dominic to Ren. “He’s with you?”

“Yes. We’ve come a long way to speak to him. Would you call him and tell him we’re here? I don’t mean him any harm. I just want to talk.”

“I’ll call.”

“This is my number.” Dominic handed her a piece of paper. “There’s a café around the corner.Jude’s.We’ll wait there and come back if we don’t hear.”

She closed the door and Dominic walked away, joined by Ren. He turned his phone back on and it beeped with messages. “Oh God. Where are we? What the hell do we think we’re doing? Call at once.” Dominic sighed.

“We’ll call and tell them we’re fine. Come on.”

They headed for the café.

Dominic bought them coffees and they sat inside at a table where they could see anyone who entered. Ren switched on his phone and checked his messages. Dominic stirred his coffee over and over until Ren took the spoon from his fingers.

“If he agrees to talk to you, I don’t think he’ll do it here,” Ren said.

“Too many witnesses?”

Ren nodded.

“Do you think hewilltalk to me?”

“I think he’ll be intrigued to know what you want. If hehasbeen planning to…get even with you, then my guess is, he won’t even call. If he does, be careful where you agree to meet him.”

“You mean no abandoned warehouses or pubs in shady areas or top floor flats in tower blocks?”

Ren shot him a smile. “Suggest a park.” He looked on his phone. “Canonbury Square Gardens is near. We can park there. Let me check anywhere he suggests.”

Dominic took a sip of his expensive coffee and sighed. “London seems a lot busier than when I was last here.”

“I used to have a flat in Camberwell. Lots of trendy bars and coffee shops. I liked it. The flat, not so much. When we decide what… We could get a place together.”

Dominic pressed his foot against Ren’s. “Are you asking me to move in with you?”

“I’ve got used to having a slave. And unless someone better applies… You’ll do.”

Dominic chuckled.

“London’s fun. Better if you have plenty of money but still fun. Though anywhere with you would be fun.”

Dominic’s phone rang and they both stared at it.

“Unknown number,” Dominic said.

“Let me listen in.”

“Hello,” Dominic said quietly.

“You wanted to speak to me.”

“Yes. Can I meet you somewhere?”

“What do you want to talk about?”

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