Jack held Dempsey’s eyes as he walked in and without invitation sat in one of the two chairs angled opposite his desk. Only when Dempsey was seated in an insouciant lounge that was meant to communicate to Jack that Dempsey was not afraid of him, his money or his power, did Jack look to Olive.
“I’d like you to stay.”
Olive nodded and sat in the chair next to Dempsey.
Dempsey watched her do it and cut his gaze back to Jack.
Then he opened.
“As you can guess because I’m here at your unexpected request, I’m intrigued.”
Jack wanted to be home with Belle, if not for whatever he faced being served at her father’s hand for dinner. Therefore he did not delay.
“I require your services.”
Dempsey’s eyebrows shot up. “Now I’m more intrigued.”
“Perhaps you expected something else?” Jack asked, knowing he did.
“My article came out yesterday and it has to be said, mate, you seem very protective of Belle Abbot,” Dempsey remarked.
“You’ve been watching,” Jack noted and Dempsey grinned.
“Avidly.”
Jack lifted his chin. This didn’t surprise him. He hadn’t seen him but he already knew this to be true. It was another thing he’d learned in his brief research. Mickey Dempsey was thorough.
Dempsey’s gaze became intense. “I meant her no harm. I hope you understand that. And I assumed, considering the way you are with her, you would protect her from –”
Jack interrupted him, “Belle’s fine. And your article yesterday is not why you’re here.”
“So maybe you’ll get to explaining why I’m here?” Dempsey prompted.
Jack again lifted his chin. “First, I’ll need your assurances that if you take the assignment I’m about to offer you, everything about it will be confidential.”
Interest flashed in his eyes even as Dempsey straightened in his chair and shook his head. “Mate, I think you get what I do for a living.”
“I do, indeed,” Jack replied.
Dempsey held his gaze as he responded, “So it’s not just what I do. It’s who I am. And I can’t turn it off because a billionaire asks me, threatens me or pays me.”
Again, Jack did not delay.
“Belle’s in danger,” he shared, watched Dempsey’s eyes flare with a different light and the man’s head jerked.
Jack watched as he shifted slightly in his chair, his gaze never leaving Jack’s when he came to the wrong conclusion, “You’re you, mate. Cole is an ass but he would never be stupid enough to –”
Jack cut him off, “Cole is not my concern.”
“Then what’s your concern?” Dempsey enquired.
“Taking you back, I need your assurances that if you accept this assignment, everything about it will be confidential.”
“And taking you back, I told you I don’t work that way,” Dempsey returned.
Jack took in a breath and nodded once. “Then I’m afraid I’ve wasted your time. But I thank you for it anyway.”
Dempsey didn’t move.
Jack reached for his mobile and while tucking it into the inside pocket of his suit jacket, he looked to Olive and declared, “I’m off to the airstrip. Are you coming to The Point or staying in London?”
“I have a few things to do in London,” Olive replied.
Jack stood, muttering to Olive, “Fine. I’ll be working at The Point the rest of the week.”
“Belle’s in danger?”
This came from Dempsey and Jack, who had dismissed him, looked to him.
And when he did, Jack noted he didn’t look intrigued. He looked concerned.
This also didn’t surprise him. Indeed, he’d been counting on it.
“She is,” he confirmed.
“What kind of danger?” Dempsey asked and Jack shook his head.
“I’m afraid I can’t share that information unless I feel assured you’ll protect the information I would share and thus Belle. As you’ve made it clear you won’t, this meeting is over,” Jack replied then moved to round his desk.
“Mortal danger?” Dempsey pressed as Jack moved so Jack stopped at the side of his desk and trained his gaze on the man who also had risen from his chair.
“That’s uncertain,” he allowed then continued. “What isn’t uncertain is that any danger that could confront Belle is intolerable.”
“And you’re implying I can help,” Dempsey pushed.
Jack didn’t give a straight answer. Instead, he said, “When there’s uncertain danger that could befall anyone, any and all help is welcomed.”
“So you’re implying I can help,” Dempsey reiterated.
Jack said not a word and held his gaze. As he did, he watched Dempsey’s internal struggle. Seeing as he did not know the man he had no idea which side was winning the conflict.
He’d know more when Dempsey noted quietly, “She’s extraordinary.”
“I’m aware of that,” Jack agreed.
“I’ve not known a single soul like her,” Dempsey carried on.
“As I have not,” Jack agreed again.
“Dignity, a huge reserve of strength all framed in an immense vulnerability. It’s quite remarkable,” Dempsey continued.
Jack didn’t bother agreeing again.
He allowed Dempsey to study him before Dempsey whispered, “You love her.”
Jack didn’t reply.
Dempsey straightened his shoulders and demanded, “You’re keeping Cole from her?”
Jack answered but he again didn’t answer directly, “You have no reason to concern yourself with Cole’s response to that article, Mr. Dempsey, and you knew that before you sold it or you wouldn’t have sold it.”
He couldn’t be sure Dempsey played it that way until he watched the man’s eyes flare in response to his assertion.
He’d been watching Jack and Belle together. If he didn’t think Belle could withstand the article and Jack would protect her from whatever reaction it might cause in Calvin Cole, he wouldn’t have sold it.
Yes, Mickey Dempsey had principles.
It was Dempsey’s turn not to respond which, like Jack’s, was his response.
Instead, he demanded, “You’re keeping your brother from her.”
Jack fought his body getting tight so he wouldn’t show his response to the depths of Dempsey’s understanding of his and Belle’s circumstances.