Page 94 of Romancing His Heart

I can’t help the smile that forms as I finish my thought. “Luckily, Montgomery decided I was too valuable an asset to Loki, and he found a way to work the system so I could keep assisting him.”

“You would have done it regardless, though,” Seth states sagely.

“Of course. Once you’re a part of our family, Seth, we don’t let you go. Loki is my family, just as Preston and the other dick heads are. The same goes for you, too, you know.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, I’ve heard Sylvie Westbrook has a habit of taking in the strays.”

“Only the good ones. But in all seriousness, choosing to hear Luca out has been a difficult decision to make. At the same time, I hope you know I wouldn’t be doing it if I felt we had any alternative.”

“I know,” he grumbles. “I just wish it didn’t feel like we were betraying Loki.”

“That makes two of us,” I admit.

* * *

“They’ll be landingin three minutes,” Seth’s voice comes through my earpiece.

“Are Ryan’s men in place?”

“Roger that. We have you covered from every angle, Ash. I’ll meet them at the helipad, and then I’ll be by your side for the rest of the meeting. Landing now.”

“Got it. Be safe, everyone.”

I didn’t tell Seth this, but the primary reason I stay in the shadows is that I’m not cut out for this espionage bullshit. I’m a computer geek. I work with numbers, spreadsheets, and data mining. I’m the information finder, and I’m most definitely the weak link in the field.

Please, God, let me fake my way through this. Loki’s life just might depend on it.

Less than two minutes later, Seth opens my office door and ushers two men inside. One, an older gentleman I recognize from all those years ago. The other, a spitting image of my friend.

Seth is more rigid than I’ve ever seen him. I can tell he’s hanging onto the tightrope of his emotions where Luca is concerned. I can’t say I’m fairing much better. Staring into the eyes of Loki’s enemy, my innate need to safeguard him wars with the logical side that tells me to hear Luca out.

Mr. Anderson crosses the room with the self-assured confidence of a man in charge. I’m going to have to knock this asshole down a peg or two, but once again, Seth beats me to it.

“Stop,” he bellows, causing Luca to cringe and Mr. Anderson to halt mid-stride. Moving toward us, Seth pulls out two chairs from a side table and places them six feet apart and facing me.

Turning to face our guests, he orders them to sit, then rounds the desk to stand at my side.

Relief rolls off my shoulders in waves.

“I’ve got you,” he mutters under his breath.

Fuck. I must look nervous. Steeling myself, I focus my attention on the two men before me. With all the strength I can muster, I control the room for the rest of our meeting.

Pointing to Luca, I issue my command, “Speak.”

He glances between Mr. Anderson and Seth. Mr. Anderson shrugs his shoulders in acquiescence and leans back into his chair. Crossing his right ankle over his knee, he’s the picture of calm.

I could take some lessons from this asshole.

“What do you want to know?” Luca asks.

“Everything, asshole,” Seth barks.

Mr. Anderson chuckles, but Luca furrows his brow as if contemplating where to start.

“How about you start at the beginning?” I already know the basics from my research, but I need to hear it straight from his mouth.

“Well, like Loki, I have a different mom than the other Blacks. The difference is, Loki’s mom fought for him. My birth mother sold me the first chance she had.”