Page 87 of Angel

My mind turns to the job at hand at his words.

“Keep a close eye on who is there. Make note of the interactions Sam has, any private conversations or people of interest.”

“That goes without saying.”

He directs his sharp gaze on me, and it unnerves me as always.

“Sophie Clere. Do you like her?”

“I do.”

I wonder where this is coming from and as he smiles, it shocks me more than anything.

“Then do everything to keep her if she feels the same. Don’t mess her around and put her first all the time. It’s rare to find your soulmate. Don’t waste a second of it.”

I make to speak and he raises his hand to silence me.

“I know what you’re going to say, and it’s too late for me.”

“Bullshit.”

He winces, but a small smile escapes.

“I want you to bring her here next week. Shall we say dinner on Wednesday evening? I will ask Garrity to call in the caterers.”

“Why?”

“Because she is important to you. That in turn makes her very important to me.”

“It’s a bit risky, isn’t it?”

“She asked for your assistance if I remember. I am helping with that.”

“Gabriel…”

He shakes his head as he interrupts me.

“You are right, Angel. This has gone on for too long. Perhaps Sophie’s request is the beginning of the end.”

I don’t trust him for a second. Gabriel is up to something and if it involves Sophie, it involves me too.

* * *

I don’t hang around and head to the crypt. We have a meeting this morning before I’m due at the office. We are negotiating a deal with another software provider. Many companies who run apps and websites want to use our resource within them. The profits are exponential when you have invented something the rest of the world is catching up on. It pays to be several steps ahead, and I rely on my team to get me to the finish line.

I write the code, attend the meetings and trust my business managers to squeeze the orange and get as much juice as we can out of it.

Harrington steps forward as soon as I enter the house and says reverently.

“Your guests are waiting, but if I may, sir, there are some matters concerning the running of the property portfolio that requires a meeting.”

“Can’t James help with that?”

James is my property manager.

“He is on vacation, sir.”

“It can’t wait until he returns?”