A Dom is Forever (Masters and Mercenaries #3)(105)

“Avery, do you know a man named Malcolm Glass?” Liam asked, ignoring her statement.

Why did he want to know about Malcolm? The files were the important thing here. “Yes, he works for Thomas. He’s Thomas’s driver.”

Simon snorted. Only he could make the sound elegant. “He’s Molina’s enforcer. He’s got quite the history. He’s done a couple of stints in prison, but lately he’s become smarter. I believe he’s Molina’s muscle.”

“He’s dead,” Liam said bluntly. “I put a bullet through his skull not two hours ago. He was sent to kill me because I’m sleeping with you. He was quite clear on the subject. Molina wants you, and he’s quite angry that I’ve had you. Do you understand what a man like that will do if he decides to take you?”

A shiver went up her spine. Thomas had sent Malcolm to kill her boyfriend? “It’s not like that.”

But now she wondered. Thomas liked to touch her. She’d thought it was just affection, but there had been times when he would hug her too long or his hands would slip. And he did seem to be deeply possessive.

“He’s the one who made sure you didn’t have friends at the office,” Simon pointed out. “He’s been isolating you. He’s actually quite odd, you know. I haven’t been able to spend much time with him. Every time I try, he puts me off.”

“Because he made you a long time ago.” Liam’s eyes strayed to the massive cathedral.

Simon stopped. “Bugger. How did he make me? I’ve been careful.”

Liam motioned for Simon to keep up. “Doesn’t matter, but if Nelson knew who to send Ian’s files to, then you better consider yourself compromised, and MI6 is going to need a new plan. You might talk to MI5 or Scotland Yard. See if you can legally search Molina’s town house. I think that might be your only shot or you’ll have to work this from another country. Either way, Avery’s out. She’s not going to be alone with the bastard again.”

“Don’t I have any say in this?” Avery asked. It was all happening too fast.

“No,” both men replied at the same time.

“You’re out, Avery. I’ll carry you out of this country kicking and screaming if I have to,” Liam vowed.

“You’re giving up a lot, mate. You really think this Nelson fellow killed your brother? You’re never going to know for sure if you run off with her.” Simon walked along, a smile on his face like they were talking about the weather and he hadn’t just dropped a bomb that might explode in Avery’s face.

Liam was going to leave. He had to. He would need to find the truth. Even when she hadn’t known his real name, she’d known the man. He was hard in so many ways. Even though he’d had problems with his brother, Liam would need to find the man who had killed him.

Liam was the one who stopped this time. “I’m done here. Do you understand, Weston?”

“Damn me. I wouldn’t have suspected that.” Simon pulled away. “This is where we part ways. I think I should probably head to the club. My days of working for the UOF are probably done. Hey, maybe Knight will save me from a formal dressing down and just fire me on the spot. I wish you two the best of luck.”

Simon disappeared into the crowd.

“You’re not leaving me?” Avery asked, well aware the question came out with a vulnerable sigh.

“I told you I wouldn’t leave again.”

“But you thought about it.”

His hand tightened around hers as though he was afraid to let go. “Of course I did. I thought about it long and hard, and I decided that you’re more important than revenge or the truth or anything. Now let’s get home so we can very quietly get you packed. I’m going to take a shower and clean up, and then we’ll go out for the evening. Just a nice night on the town.”

“We won’t go back.” She would be on the run. It seemed incomprehensible. Just yesterday her biggest worry had been what she would cook him for dinner, and today she was afraid for her life. And his.

“No, we won’t go back to your place. I don’t know where we’ll be. We’ll find out in the morning, but wherever it is, I’m going to take care of you. I won’t let him hurt you. The lads will figure this out. I promise. We won’t be in hiding forever.”

“You’re going with me.” It sounded dumb. Why would he go with her? Did he feel that sorry for her?

“I am, Avery. You’re not getting rid of me. I told you so.” His face went stubborn, and he turned to the station. “Let’s go. I want to get out of that flat as soon as we can. We need to disappear. I don’t like the fact that he wants you.”

It made her a little ill. “I’m sorry I didn’t get the files, but I did find something. He wears contacts. Why would he do that when he’s got perfect vision? At least that’s what he told me. And don’t you find it weird that he was agoraphobic and now he’s fine?”

“Did you see the contacts? Were they colored?” Liam gripped her hand.

“I didn’t look.”

“And you’re sure he doesn’t need them to see?”

She should have opened them up and looked. “I don’t know. I guess he could have lied, but why?”

“Bloody hell,” Liam cursed, shaking his head. “I should have figured that out sooner. Molina never went out before and then all of the sudden, he up and wants to take an up close and personal interest in the business. Simon is right. He should get fired. I would bet money that Nelson planted someone years ago. He needed a way to move the arms around and he needed money to back it up. Even a few million wouldn’t really be enough to start this on a large scale. But a few million would set up the scam that could replace Molina with someone else. Molina was a loner.”