He ran his fingers through his hair, getting angry at her. James would never do anything to hurt Prudence. She was his world, and he loved her.
Grabbing the box that contained the ring, he slammed it down on the desk in front of her.
“Does this look like I’ll put her at risk?”
She picked up the box and opened it. Her gasp was all the evidence he needed that he’d made the right choice. “You really do love her, don’t you?”
“I’ve bought her house and put the deeds in her name. Prudence will want for nothing. If she doesn’t want me, I will make sure she is provided for. That’s how much I love her.”
“She won’t refuse you. Prue loves you.”
He nodded his head. James wanted to hear Prudence say the words for herself.
“I better leave you.”
“You’ve done your sisterly duty,” James said, mocking her.
“Yes. I’m still her older sister. I want to make sure she’s doing the right thing.”
James watched her sister walk toward his office. He waited for a few minutes and then pulled out the white envelope. James began to open the white flap when his phone buzzed. Prudence’s face appeared on the screen. He answered her call tucking the envelope into his jacket.
“She is happy for me, Sir. Veronica gave us her blessing.”
He chuckled, leaving his office. “I’m on my way to pick you up. Will you be ready?”
“Yes, I look forward to meeting your friends.”
“They’re not that much fun.”
She laughed. “You’ve met my friends. I think it is only fair that I get to meet yours.”
“I’m leaving the club now. I’ll be at yours in no time.”
“Good, I look forward to it.”
Leo was on the door signing some paperwork as James walked out the door. “What’s up, Boss?”
“I’m taking Prudence out. Will you keep an eye on things for tonight? I won’t be back.”
“Sure, I’m more than happy to look after things.”
James nodded, climbing in the back of the taxi. “Have you thought about my offer, Arthur?”
“Yes, Sir. I’d love the position you’re offering.”
“Excellent. I’ll have a car sent to you soon.”
James settled down watching the city go by. He’d never been so happy before in his life. The ring he intended to give her was in his pocket. He’d wait for the perfect time to ask her to be his wife.
They were moving fast; he knew that, but he loved her. He thought about the issues with Dane and the human trafficking stuff that had come around with Rebecca and Lloyd Black.
He shook his head. Those thoughts were not going to spoil his future. James pulled out the envelope and opened it. There were several pictures of a man inside. There was no other information other than the images. He didn’t get it. Shaking his head, he figured Veronica had sent him the wrong envelope. When he got a chance he’d ask her about them. It wasn’t his first priority, and he placed the envelope back inside his pocket, forgetting about it.
Chapter Eighteen
The house was bigger than James’s home, which she never thought was possible. The driver remained quiet as James left the car and typed in the code for the gates to open. When he got back inside she snuggled up close to him. She was wearing the black dress she’d worn for their date.
“Why do you all have secured gates and secret passwords?” she asked.
“Because we’re awesome,” he said.
She laughed, patting his knee. The driveway was covered with trees and bushes. “Did your parents get the idea from here?”
“I think they did it at the same time.”
His arm was wrapped around her giving her comfort.
“It is cold out, Arthur. You may come in if you wish.”
James helped her out of the back of the car. He took her hand leading her through the front doors. “They’re expecting us.”
She followed him inside keeping her coat closed around her.
There were many doors, and only a few men were lurking in the rooms. “It is very quiet,” she said.
“Since the news, it has been very quiet. Some of the men have been scarce.”
Prue nodded her head following him down to the end room. She saw the bar was littered with several more men. A woman was singing at the end of the bar. Her voice filled the room with wonderful music.
James pulled her in front of him. “Prudence, I’d like you to meet Stephen Knox.”
He stopped at a table, and she recognised the man James pointed to. “And his woman, Ursula.” The woman stood up and offered her hand.
“It is nice to see another woman among the group. I was starting to get a little bored. Sorry, Violet, you’re not the most talkative.”
The other woman smiled at her. “No offense taken.”
Prue shook their hands, knowing she’d at least get on with Ursula.
“These are Cadeon, Lucas, Sean, Tate and Kevin. That guy at the end whom you met at Ravage is Dane.”
Yes, she recognised the man who’d startled her at the bar. That night felt like a lifetime ago.
“It is lovely to meet you all.” Prue didn’t need to be a genius to know they were all tense.
“I’m bored,” Ursula said. “Come on, Prue. I’ll show you the rest of the house.”
Ursula took her hand. Violet followed behind them. Cadeon got up to go with them. Violet shook her head, kissing him before leaving.
Once they were out of the room, Ursula took a deep breath. “I thought I was going to suffocate in there.” She pulled a lollipop out of her pocket and then popped it into her mouth.
“You have a sweet tooth?”
“It helps with the nerves. Stephen has been behaving oddly just lately. I don’t have a clue how to handle him half of the time. I think it has to do with Dane and those two upstairs,” Ursula said, pointing up the stairs.
Prue remained quiet. Violet shrugged her shoulders. “Cadeon is worried about the baby.” She rubbed her stomach.
“It is more than that. Stephen doesn’t want me left alone. He’s put extra security everywhere. I don’t go anywhere in the first place.” She shook her head, taking them down to the basement.
“Where are we?” Prue asked.
“A training room. Tate was teaching me some moves, but that all ended.” They sat down on the exercise bench. This was the first time Prue had ever been in a training room getting to know other women.