All In (The Blackstone Affair 2)

“I’d love to see how your miserable arse would do if Elaina suddenly decided she couldn’t stand the sight of you.” I cut him off, offered up a fake grin, and waited for the change in attitude. “Which could always happen, you know, as I know all your shameful secrets.”

Worked like a charm. Neil lost the dickhead posturing in about one point five seconds.

“We’re really happy for you, E,” he said quietly. And I know he meant it.

“How’s the military investigation into Lieutenant Oakley going?” I asked, giving in and opening my desk drawer to pull out my lighter and a pack of Djarums.

“He’s been doing very bad things to the people of Iraq and getting away with it, but not sure for how long that’ll stay buried. I think the senator can only be relieved his son is off getting into trouble in Iraq as opposed to anywhere close to his election campaign.”

I grunted in agreement and sucked back my first, sweet inhale. The cloves gave quite a kick, but I was used to it. Now I just let the nicotine do its work and felt guilty for what I was putting into my body. “So he’s career military you think?” I exhaled away from Neil.

Neil shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

Neil had the keenest instincts of anyone I knew. He wasn’t just an employee, not by a long shot. Neil was much, much more. We’d been boys together, gone off to war, survived that hell to return to England, managing to grow up in the process and start a successful business. I trusted him with my life. Which meant I could trust him with Brynne’s as well. I was glad she liked him because I had the feeling she would have to be guarded eventually whenever she went out. Brynne would so hate that. But even as much as she loathed the security detail, she’d not take it out on Neil. My girl was far too kind for that sort of thing.

I wasn’t kidding myself either—friend or no, I was really glad Neil already had a woman, and if he’d been single wouldn’t have been my first choice. He was a good looking guy.

?

?Well this is the interesting part. Lieutenant Lance Oakely was stop-lossed just a few weeks after the plane went down. From what I could find out, the US pretty much ceased with stop-loss over a year ago, and only just a mere handful are served now.”

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking, mate?”

Neil nodded again. “As soon as the senator found out he was the next vice-presidential hopeful, he got his only son stop-lossed for another tour in Iraq.”

I clucked my tongue. “Sounds like the Senator knows his son very well and figures the further his boy can keep away from the campaign, the better the senator’s chances of being elected.” I leaned back in my chair and puffed on my clove. “Who better to get a stop-loss order than somebody who has political connections. I’m starting to think Senator Oakley rather hopes his son never comes back from Iraq. War hero and all that...looks smashing for patriotism.” I waved my hand for emphasis.

“Precisely where I was going.” Neil eyeballed the ciggie in my fingers. “I thought you were cutting back on those?”

“I am…at home.” I stubbed it out into the ashtray. “I won’t smoke around her.” And I am pretty sure Neil was savvy enough to figure out why I wouldn’t. But that was the thing about friends…you understood each other, didn’t have to explain ad nauseum about painful shit you wished you could forget, but pretty much knew was a part of you down to the marrow in your bones.

?

Brynne’s mobile lit up and roused me out of my work. I checked the caller ID. One word—Mom.

Well this ought to be fun, I thought as I pressed send. “Hello.”

There was a beat of silence, and then a haughty voice. “I’m trying to reach my daughter, and as I know this is her number, to whom am I speaking?”

“Ethan Blackstone, ma’am.”

“Why are you answering my daughter’s phone, Mr. Blackstone?”

“I’m surveilling her old number, Mrs.—? I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.” I wasn’t going to give it to her on a silver platter. Brynne’s mum would have to ask me. Nicely. So far, I wasn’t impressed.

“Exley.” She waited on me to say something but I didn’t. I play poker and I know how to wait it out. “Why are you surveilling her phone?”

I couldn’t help smiling. We both knew who had won this round. “Yes, well I deal in security, Mrs. Exley. It’s my job. Brynne’s dad hired me to see to her safety once Senator Oakley was being vetted. I’m not going to be coy with you either, ma’am. I know why her safety’s at risk and so do you. I know everything.” Now I paused for effect. “She’s told me what happened to her at the hand of Oakley’s son.”

I heard a sharp inhale and would have paid money to see her face, but alas, had to use my imagination. “You’re the one who bought her portrait aren’t you? She told me about you buying her nude photograph and taking her home after. Something you should know about Brynne, Mr. Blackstone, is that she loves to shock me.”

“Is that so? I wouldn’t know about that, Mrs. Exley. Brynne’s never mentioned you to me before last night. I have nothing to compare you against.”

She seemed to ignore my veiled insult and went for the kill. “So you’re in a relationship with my daughter, Mr. Blackstone? I can read between the lines and make assumptions as well as the next person. And Brynne is my only child, and contrary to what she’s told you, I do love my daughter and only want what’s best for her.”

“Ethan, please—and yes, I can equivicobly say that I am in a relationship with Brynne.”