Page 141 of Checkmate
Marcus shrugged, glancing at Erica. Angus had shown more interest than the others in his little business venture. But he had always figured it was because it had become quite the money maker.
“My investment has never been about the business, Marcus,” Angus said seriously. “From day one when you walked into my office, all nerves and fake confidence, my interest has been in you. I told you that day that you’d do great things. And you did exactly that.
“Then you brought Miss Erica on board and now you both are doing great things.” Angus glanced between them, a fierce protectiveness darkening his eyes.
“After you left my office that day, I told Arnold and Thomas you would help boost the economy around here,” he said, refocusing on Marcus. “Since then, tourism has seen a sizable increase, and local businesses are reporting higher incomes. Hell, even those poxy walking tours you once scoffed at are upping their game and seeing an increase in popularity. And at the centre of all of this is you and your company.”
Marcus could hardly believe what he was hearing, nor just how much Angus believed in him. He swallowed past a lump in his throat as Erica reached for his hand, giving him a comforting squeeze. He met her gaze and drew comfort from her presence.
“Thank you,” he said. “But that has nothing to do with me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Angus said. “Everyone wants to stay in the hotels where ghosts roam the halls or drink in the pubs where voices whisper to you from the shadows. Hell, even the guards at graveyards are reporting some late-night visitors, trying to find a few spooks. This wouldn’t have happened without your stories, Marcus.”
“Thank you again,” he said, his voice cracking. With an embarrassed chuckle, he took a slow breath. “That really means… well, everything to me.”
“We should be thanking you,” Angus said, his eyes twinkling as he caught them holding hands. “You have become quite important to me, Marcus. Erica too, for that matter. I may not have known you long, but you have both made an old man happy.
“Which is why I will not stand for anyone attacking you in such a manner.”
“So what’s the plan?” Erica said, squeezing Marcus’ hand once more.
“Let me go talk to the officer,” Angus replied. “I just want all the facts before I make any decisions.”
Marcus gestured for him to go ahead, exhaling a heavy breath once he was out of earshot. “Can you believe that?” He asked, turning his attention to Erica.
“Oh, absolutely I can,” she said with a smile. “I quite like hearing someone talk about you like that. You deserve every word of praise.”
“I haven’t even really done anything,” he said, waving her off. “It was you that made all the changes to the tour—”
“That would have failed had you not already set us up for success.” She smiled at him, kissing his cheek. “I won’t allow you to talk down about yourself, Marcus. Not now, not ever.”
He ran his fingers through her hair, his eyes softening on hers. “You’re pretty wonderful, Miss Erica,” he said. “I think I need to remind you once again just how wonderful I think you are.”
“I can’t wait,” she said, practically purring the words. “As soon as we’re alone—”
“Now, I know you don’t like financial handouts,” Angus said, rubbing his hand along his jaw, as he walked towards them. Damn him for interrupting what was turning into some enjoyable flirting. “But I think you’re going to have to get over it, just this once. You said your ex has money?”
“Yeah,” Erica nodded, biting her lip through a smile. Her cheeks tinted pink, looking like he’d caught her doing something she shouldn’t. “He has a sizable bank balance.”
Angus scoffed, none the wiser as to what had transpired between them. “He’s small fry. And he’s not the only one that can throw money around.
“No one fucks with those I care about, so if he wants to play dirty, he’d better prepare himself. He may think he’s a big shot, but I run this fucking city, and he’s just made his way onto my shit list.”
Chapter 41
Sophie
EIGHTEEN MONTHS AGO
“Sophie, what is this?”
Marcus leaned against the doorway, beer in hand, looking at the disaster that was his living room floor. Boxes piled upon boxes, bags toppling over other bags. Sophie chewed her lip as she looked around the mess.
“Oh, just a few knickknacks,” she said. “Nothing crazy.”
“Really?” He asked. “Because I think I can see the two hundred pound Christmas tree I said was crazy, behind the box of giant nutcrackers I said were tacky.”
Sophie followed his gaze, feeling nerves bubbling in the pit of her stomach.
