Page 54 of Eternal Surrender

“Second chances are quite something, aren’t they?” I headed eastward.

“What are you?” Sebastian shouted after me.

Ignoring him, I picked up speed.

“Can you see him?” Sebastian’s voice was strained.

Two scruffy young men were walking our way with their hoods pulled over their faces, protecting them from the morning chill.

The taller of one of the two pointed at Sebastian. “Look.”

“Can you see him?” Sebastian asked them again, gesticulating wildly in my direction.

The taller man gave a snide grin. “No mate, don’t see no one.”

Sebastian mumbled something, clearly on the verge of panicking.

I headed back toward them. “Keep walking,” I said to the boys and hailed the oncoming taxi. It slowed, but as soon as the driver caught sight of the two hooded men he sped up and sped off.

I drew closer to the eldest. “Your brother here has carnal knowledge of your girlfriend.”

The thug’s eyelids flickered. “Knowledge?”

“Extensive.” I closed in on him. “David, while you’re working hard in your father’s garage, breaking your back and shouldering the family business, Ray here is in the office doing your girlfriend Becka.”

David teetered in a dream-like state and focused on his brother.

Check his phone, I sent the message silently, pointing toward Ray’s pocket.

David reached out his hand. “Give me your cell.”

Ray removed it from his pocket. “What’s wrong with yours?”

I gestured to Sebastian to follow me.

David had Ray’s phone and was fixed on the small screen. “That’s Becka’s number!”

I breathed in the freshness of the rain striking the pavement, clearing the dawn air, and returned to the curb. I raised my hand toward yet another taxi that had just turned the corner.

Sebastian was still lingering, fascinated with the entranced brothers.

The black hackney carriage parked in front of me. I opened the rear passenger door and ducked low to climb in.

And then I waited for Sebastian to join me.

Chapter Eleven

Sebastian sat beside the walnut table, crossing one long leg over the other, taking in the luxurious suite. One of the Savoy’s finest.

Though this room was a little too plush for my taste, I still appreciated the unusual collection of objet d’art that were placed here and there, providing an eclectic mood. From the crystal decanter resting on the far side table, I poured Sebastian a large glass of sherry into a tumbler and carried it over to him.

“Thank you, William.” He pressed the glass to his lips but didn’t sip. “I fell. . .” he said. “You caught me.” He went to speak again but instead slumped as though the moment defeated him.

“How is it?”

He downed the sherry, barely tasting it.

Strolling over to the closed curtain, I caressed the thick velvet drapes. “This suite has a wonderful view of the Thames.”