‘Since when?’ Dominic didn’t wait for anyone.

A sardonic look. ‘You writing a book?’

‘Not yet, maybe later.’

‘You could try.’ His employees all signed non-disclosure agreements. Dominic sighed, averse to discussions of his private life. ‘Jake, go in and hurry her along. Tell her we have a flight on hold.’

As the driver left the car, Max slid his arm along the back of the seat, turned his head and lifted one brow. ‘Were you satisfied with the toned-down version of the play last night? Kees wanted me to ask you.’

A faint eye-roll. ‘They did what they could. It was fine. She recovered outside.’ Dominic smiled. ‘She wondered if you go there often.’

‘And what did you say? That unlike you, I’m a happily married man and don’t know everyone there by their first name?’

‘I didn’t say anything. As for being happily married, consider yourself fortunate. By the way,’ he briskly added, ‘did you tell Liv you’ll be back in Hong Kong soon?’

Max nodded. Dominic’s change of subject was typical whenever marriage was mentioned, his wife’s death still an unhealed wound. ‘It’s been too long this time. Almost three weeks.’

‘We shouldn’t be in Singapore more than a day, two at the most.’ The naked pain locked away once again, Dominic spoke with a cool urbanity.

‘What about Miss Hart? Will she go on to Hong Kong with us?’

‘I haven’t decided yet. And don’t look at me like that. I don’t need another conscience. I have one somewhere.’

‘You should find it.’

‘If we’re comparing roads to hell, you were a fellow traveller not too long ago,’ Dominic said with heavy sarcasm. ‘How old is Conall now?’

Max raised his hands in surrender. ‘You’re right. I’m done being pious.’ He grinned. ‘Conall’s going to be one next week.’

‘Then we’d better see that you’re back in Hong Kong by then. Shit.’ Sliding up from his lounging pose, Dominic contemplated his driver as he exited the house, looking grim. ‘Looks like Jake struck out. It’s up to you, Max. I’d go but it would only make things worse.’

‘You could leave her here.’

‘I actually need Miss Hart in Singapore. The bank’s being uncooperative.’

‘Werner could bring the decoding.’

‘He’s not my type.’

Max gave him a dubious glance. ‘I didn’t know you had one.’

‘If I wanted to argue, I could argue with Miss Hart. I won’t hurt her. Is that better?’ Dominic spoke with a level of politeness that was demonstrably strained.

Jake slid into the driver’s seat. ‘Sorry, boss.’

‘Never mind. Max is going to talk Miss Hart down from the barricades, aren’t you, Max?’ Then even the pretext of politeness disappeared from Dominic’s voice. ‘Carry her out, if you have to.’

Max shot him a sardonic look. ‘What about the neighbours?’

‘Fuck the neighbours.’

That was pretty clear. ‘It might take a while.’

‘Fine,’ Dominic grunted. ‘Go do your magic.’

*

As personal agent for Dominic Knight the past five years, Max’s diplomatic and persuasive skills were honed to a fine pitch. Fifteen minutes later, when he and Kate walked out of the house, Kate was not only smiling, she was wearing the jade-green cashmere sweats and hoodie Dominic had purchased for her.

A perfect colour with her hair, Dominic thought, pleased on any number of levels – personally, professionally, aesthetically. Miss Hart looked stunning – and happy.

As she entered the car, her smile faded.

Not that Dominic’s pleasure was in any way quashed now that he had what he wanted. ‘I’m pleased you could join us, Miss Hart.’ Gracious, cordial, he was on his best behaviour.

She looked at him, squinty eyed. ‘I wish I could say the same.’

His smile was bland. ‘Nevertheless, you should find Singapore interesting. Did Max mention we have a house there? One of the original trading stations. There’s only a few left.’

‘I told her.’ Max spoke over his shoulder as the car pulled away from the kerb. ‘I’m taking Miss Hart on a tour of the town tomorrow.’

‘Don’t forget to show her The Pigeonhole.’ Dominic flicked a glance at Kate. ‘A popular coffeehouse for techies. You’ll like it.’ Then he leaned over, held her gaze and grinned. ‘It’s only eight days, Miss Hart. Surely you won’t pout the entire time.’

‘I might.’ But she couldn’t entirely repress her smile with that boyish grin so close. And let’s face it, all the glorious rest of him, too, was cranking up her body into overdrive. It was like living in a hurricane, her emotions swirling every which way, alternately pissed off and not pissed off depending on her wayward desires or Dominic Knight’s insolence.

He sat back. ‘There, that’s better. Did you let your grandmother know where you were going?’

Her surprise showed. The heat in her eyes did too.

‘We wouldn’t want Nana to worry,’ he smoothly said, liking the heat.

‘How do you know about Nana?’ What else did he know? Hopefully, he wasn’t a mind-reader.

‘Tell her, Max, how you vet our prospective employees. How your intelligence contacts get you anything you need.’