The Price of Winning: London Calling Book Four by Kat Faitour Page B

proceed.
    Sebastian nodded then turned his back again.  
    “If you saw her as I have, you would know Madeleine won’t be up to any real decisions for a long time. She’s devastated, shut down.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “She needs someone to take over for now. I would have thought Martin understood that.”
    Angeline was silent for several long moments. “Sebastian, I don’t want you to misconstrue what I’m about to say.”
    He rolled his neck, trying to ease some of the knots that lived there. He’d rather be in the gym, working out his frustrations. “Say whatever it is you have on your mind, Angeline. You know you will eventually.” He thought he heard a chuckle, but her voice was serious when she replied.  
    “Bas, I know you want to protect Madeleine. But you can’t just charge in on your horse and make all her decisions.”
    “It’s pretty obvious to me that she will decide to sell that penthouse, Angeline. For Christ’s sake, it’s where her parents died. And forgive me for saying so, but if I hadn’t stepped in when I did, she would be dead too.”
    “My God, I wasn’t thinking. Were either of you injured?” She was all concern now with none of the previous censure.
    “I’m fine. Madeleine is still in the hospital but soon to be released. Which is exactly why I called you, actually.” Sebastian was thankful to turn the conversation back to its purpose. “I’ll be bringing her to Jersey as soon as possible. I hope that works for you.”
    He knew Angeline would never refuse to help someone as vulnerable as Madeleine. He also recognized they were at a delicate stage in some of their work together.  
    “Of course, Bas. But—”
    “With Madeleine there it will be out of the question to bring the Russians to Jersey. That’s the last kind of stress she needs. That’s one idea off the table.” It had been Angeline’s suggestion after her meeting with him and Martin. “We’ll have to think of something else.” The door to the penthouse slammed behind the last of the movers. Sebastian paced the room, relieved to be alone.
    “Of course,” she murmured. “But I still don’t think Club Hobart is a good option either.”
    “We may not have any others.” He heard Angeline click her teeth. He was back at the window, arms crossed and legs braced wide as he watched the movers shut the doors on the truck that held all of Madeleine’s things. His assistant had already ordered new clothes and toiletries from a department store on Michigan Avenue. Sebastian checked his watch, deciding he would pick them up himself.
    “I need you to prepare the house for Madeleine. She can stay in the guest wing or wherever you think best. You’re the hostess, so do whatever you like.” He recognized it was practically Angeline’s home now, but he needed her cooperation.  
    “Got it. Anything else?”  
    He paused, running through the details. He snapped his fingers, remembering the gardens. “Yes, get the gardener. Today . He needs to rip out the lilies—all of them—and replace them with other varieties.”
    “But—”
    “They have to go. And make sure he doesn’t plant anything red or orange.” Sebastian didn’t know enough about flowers to think of suggestions. But that’s why he employed gardeners. “I’ll explain when we have more time. Right now, we need to get things done. I hope to bring her home in a day or so.”
    Sebastian could have bitten his own tongue out. Of course he couldn’t be thinking of his home, or Angeline’s for that matter, as also being home to Madeleine Price. That was way too personal. No, he was just being a friend, someone to help her until she was back on her own two feet.
    “Right. Well then, I’d better get to it.”
    “Right.” He’d already said enough. “Thank you, and I’ll see you soon.”
    He tapped his phone to end the call. Angeline would probably be speculating about all sorts of things after his slip. But once Madeleine was