Page 49 of Undercover Infidel

“Lex…what’s going on?”

When I turned away from him, he wrapped his arms around me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.

“Don’t shut me out. Talk to me,” he implored.

“I don’t want this…here.”

Con gave a slight nod. “I have somewhere in mind for tonight. You’ll be safe there. It’s as secure as we’d be at Blackmoor.”

“I don’t care about that.”

Con turned me in his arms and brushed my lips with his. “But I do, my sweet.”

I shook my head. “It’s okay. We can stay here.”

“Lex, when we made love the first time, I asked if you trusted me.”

“I do, Con, and I’m sorry that I didn’t?—”

He pressed a fingertip against my lips. “Trust me now.”

“Okay,” I whispered, resting my head against his chest. “Thank you for coming.”

He lifted my chin. “Wherever you are, whatever you need, you can always count on me, Lex. Always.”

“I believe you.”

He kissed me again, then rested his forehead against mine. “That means more to me than you could know. Your trust, your belief in me. It’s everything.”

“I’m so sorry I doubted you.”

“You were right to. It was the metaphoric kick in the arse I needed.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Let’s confirm we can get out of here, then I’ll arrange transport.”

Ten minutes later,an SUV with blackened windows pulled up directly in front of the mews. We exited through the same door Con had come in, and in two steps, were inside the secured vehicle.

“Courtesy of MI6,” he said, shutting the armored door behind us. “Viper was quick to point out it wasn’t my safety she was concerned with.”

“Wait, why are we at Vauxhall Cross?” I asked when we pulled into the underground car park.

“It’s a way station of sorts. When I asked for rooftop access, your boss requested a meeting prior to our return to Scotland.”

We took the lift to the sixth floor, where Viper was waiting when the doors opened. “I’d ask how your morning went, but I’ve already been brought up to speed.”

“I haven’t,” I told her.

She looked from me to Con.

“I have not been, either,” he told her.

“Identified as Bratva associates. Which is one reason I requested Malcolm Bennett meet with us this morning. Admittedly, Dr. McLaren is annoyed to not have you to herself, not that she would’ve anyway. Although somehow, I don’t think Con counts.”

“Many thanks for that reassurance,” he muttered under his breath.

We followed Viper down a corridor to one of the secure conference rooms.Malcolm Bennett stood when we entered, his imposing height emphasized by his ramrod-straight posture. Next to him, Dr. McLaren sat reviewing documents.

“Dr. Sterling, Lord Blackmoor.” Bennett greeted us with a slight bow. “I understand you had an eventful morning.”

“What do we know about the Bratva’s involvement?” Con asked, cutting to the chase.