“Exley.” She waited on me to say something but I didn’t. I play poker and I know how to wait it out. “Why are you surveilling her phone?”

I couldn’t help smiling. We both knew who had won this round. “Yes, well I deal in security, Mrs. Exley. It’s my job. Brynne’s dad hired me to see to her safety once Senator Oakley was being vetted. I’m not going to be coy with you either, ma’am. I know why her safety’s at risk and so do you. I know everything.” Now I paused for effect. “She’s told me what happened to her at the hand of Oakley’s son.”

I heard a sharp inhale and would have paid money to see her face, but alas, had to use my imagination. “You’re the one who bought her portrait aren’t you? She told me about you buying her nude photograph and taking her home after. Something you should know about Brynne, Mr. Blackstone, is that she loves to shock me.”

“Is that so? I wouldn’t know about that, Mrs. Exley. Brynne’s never mentioned you to me before last night. I have nothing to compare you against.”

She seemed to ignore my veiled insult and went for the kill. “So you’re in a relationship with my daughter, Mr. Blackstone? I can read between the lines and make assumptions as well as the next person. And Brynne is my only child, and contrary to what she’s told you, I do love my daughter and only want what’s best for her.”

“Ethan, please—and yes, I can equivicobly say that I am in a relationship with Brynne.”

I reached for a fresh cig and flicked my lighter open. Really? This woman didn’t know who she was playing with. We could go on like this all day and I would still win. “And I do too.”

She was silent a moment and then asked, “You do too, what, Mr. Blackstone?”

“Love your daughter and only want what’s best for her. I’ll keep her safe from any danger. She’s my responsibility now.”

Again I could only imagine her rolling her eyes at what I’d just said and wondering how my girl put up with all the disapproval from this woman. I caught that she didn’t take me up on the offer of my first name either. It made me sad for Brynne. Especially since I’d longed for my mum my whole life and here was Brynne with a mum censuring her every decision. I would rather have the loving memory of a mother I’d never had, than have to put up with this dragon lady for a lifetime.

“Well then, may I please have her new phone number since she didn’t see fit to give it to me herself?” She sounded more like the wounded victim now, and intent upon dismissing me as quickly as possible.

And I was smiling now. I f**king love a winning hand. “Oh please, no, Mrs. Exley, don’t take offense. This all happened very sudden last evening. Brynne told me something yesterday and I made the decision that she needed a new mobile number. It’s that simple. She just hasn’t had the time to get in touch with you yet, I am positive that’s why.” It was easy to be magnanimous when you held the better cards.

“You made the decision, Mr. Blackstone?”

“Yes.” Man, my ciggie tasted divine.

“Why are you making those decisions for Brynne?” Mummy had claws it seemed.

“Because like I said before, Mrs. Exley, I’m going to keep her safe from anyone or anything that tries to hurt her. Anyone…or anything.” I inhaled a lung-full of cloves and savored the taste.

She got quiet then. I waited her out, and eventually she gave in. “Brynne’s new number, Mr. Blackstone?”

“Certainly, Mrs. Exley. Tell you what. I’ll text her new number to you from my mobile, and that way you can have mine as well. If you have any concerns about this situation with Brynne or any inquiries into her past from media or otherwise, I’d like you to share with me. Please call me any time.”

Our conversation wound down very quickly after that and I was more than a tad drained once we hung up. My God, she was difficult. Poor Brynne. Poor Tom Bennett. How in the hell had he ever hooked up with her? Could not see how that relationship ever got off the ground, and I didn’t even know what she looked like. I bet she was beautiful though. Cold, but beautiful.

I texted Brynne’s mum with the new number and a short message: Pleasure chatting you, Mrs. E. –EB- and grinned the whole time I was doing it.

Brynne sent me a text about an hour later: U talked to my mom?! :O

Oh boy. Mummy had already got to her. I hoped I wasn’t in too much trouble. I texted back with: Sry baby. She rang on ur old mobile and not so happy when I picked up :/

Brynne hit me right back: Sorry u had to deal w/ her. I’ll make it up to u. ♥♥

I had to grin at that. I typed: u gave me 2 ♥’s!! I accept ur offer, baby…and she wasn’t that bad. I figured a white lie wasn’t going to hurt in regards to my girlfriend’s mum. That woman was not nice.

There was a bit of a pause before she responded but it was worth it when it came through. U made a big impression on her. I’ll tell u later tonight. Have to go to that lunch now. Miss u...baby xxx ♥

I caressed the words on the screen, not wanting to close the message out. She called me baby. She said she missed me. She left me kisses and hearts. I tried not to read too much into it, but still it was hard not to. I just wanted what I wanted and I didn’t want to wait for it a moment longer.

My musings were interrupted when Frances rang in and reminded me I did indeed have a company to run. “I have Ivan Everley on the line for you,” she said on speaker.

I told her to put him through and picked up. “You’re finding trouble again aren’t you,” I said sarcastically.

“Another death threat came through, E. This time to the World Archery Federation Office. I don’t give a shit about it, but those fools at the Olympic Commission won’t insure a venue for me to announce the competition without some assurance from you. The truly mad are ruling these games I’m telling you and I don’t have time for this bullshit.”

“Don’t I know it. I’ll speak to them but I think we should meet to go over the schedule so we can get the security nailed down for you,” I told him.

“What are you thinking?”

“I don’t know, lunch? I can have Frances set something up for when you’re free.”

“That should work. I’m really grateful for you, E, or I don’t think I’ll be announcing at the games at all. Your company pulls some influence with those morons running things.”