Page 107 of Pervade Montego Bay

“What happened to him?”

He answered with a dark look of resolution.

I realized that was why he’d created Pervade. It would mean he had access to secrets and personnel files…he would have the intel to prevent anything like this from happening again.

“You have someone precious in your life—” He made a fist. “They’re right there. Then all of a sudden, they’re gone. All because of a selfish decision.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“She was mine to protect, Em.”

“You’re scared of being hurt again?”

“It will be a clean break between us. You and Xavier—”

“He needs you, James. He loves you on a level I never knew possible. Maybe it has something to do with the way his mind works…I don’t know. But he can’t live without you.”

“I’ll always be here for him.”

“It won’t be enough.” I stepped forward and rested my hands on his chest. “We have something unique. Something special. Something worth fighting for.”

James leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead. “You showed me what it is to trust again, Emily. You showed me I’m still capable of caring deeply for someone and I will always be grateful for that.”

“Are you trying to be honorable?”

“The decision is made.”

I pulled away from him. “You’re sending us back to London?”

“The location is undecided.”

I was having trouble processing his harsh words. “I need a minute…can you give me some space, please? I need some time alone.”

He gave me a wry smile. “You can’t throw me out of my own place, Em.”

“Your place?”

His smile vanished as he realized his mistake. “I use this office from time to time. Sometimes I stay here.”

“Why?”

“Louis is my friend. We’ve known each other a long time.”

“I don’t understand why you won’t trust me, James. Why won’t you let us love you?”

“It won’t hurt for long, Emily. Forgetting me will be easier than you believe.” James gave me a sad smile and then left the room, closing the door behind him.

My throat constricted with grief. Walking forward, I rested my hands on the desk to steady myself.

The room felt devoid of life without his striking presence. Trembling, I replayed his words trying to decipher what was not being said by him.

Louis lived here…but did James own this house?

I remembered Louis saying he hated the décor, and this wasn’t James’ taste, either. So why was Louis living here?

Maybe Louis was the guardian of James’ child. There had to be clues. A child’s bedroom, maybe? Or a stray toy. Even this room seemed odd with its impersonal décor. I moved around behind the desk and opened a drawer. Empty.

This would explain why James remained guarded—maybe he was hiding his child in Jamaica. He would put him first to keep him safe, denying his own happiness so the child wouldn’t be exposed to danger. A man so powerful would have powerful enemies. It made sense he would choose an island far from his dangerous life. This would also explain why he visited Jamaica from time after time—and why this mansion was so close to Royal Court Manor.