Andra Sashner Of Suits and Swords [LT3 MM] (pdf)

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uncover everything."
Basil asked quietly, "Are you leaving?"
"I hope I don't have to," Alexis muttered. "But while I can't do anything about him on my own, I can
take care of what is mine and of the people I do have remaining me."
Basil looked the papers over again. "This is a... pretty brave move."
Of Suits & Swords 33
"Cowardice," Alexis corrected with a grimace. "I can't do much but get out of the way." He drummed
his fingers on his desk, a dim light beginning to reignite in his eyes, he knew, when he looked over at
his friend and winked. "And I can ask for help."
Basil smiled.
--
"I was thinking you weren't going to show up," Gage murmured as he retook his seat, hazel eyes
hungrily roving over Alexis' face.
Alexis felt like he'd been socked in the gut looking across the table at this man. Gage had one of
those rich coloured shirts on again, this time in matte gold to match his eyes. His ebony-black suit
brought the colour of the shirt out, a complementing kerchief in his jacket breast pocket, black tie
fastened with a gold pin. No necklace, silver hoop earring replaced with a gold stud, glossy black belt
and matching shoes.
Throat dry, Alexis took a sip of water to distract himself a moment before suddenly speaking, "You
were one of the contract holders of the K-Sat merger. That's why Alan knew you. That's why you've
been picking at my father's business." He scowled, "That's why you've been interested in getting to
the bottom of this. Am I right?"
"Half right," Gage admitted, looking tired and a little miserable. He curled his fingers around the wine
glass he'd been nursing before Alexis had arrived, swirling the contents about and studying the oil
cling in the interior. "I did not expect you to visit my humble little club. The plan wasn't so elaborate.
I really did admire you when you walked in, was truly attracted to "
"Let's cut to the chase, Gregory." Alexis hated the way that stiff name moved over his tongue. And
from the stiffening of his posture, Gage did too. "As far as my father knows, I'm here to get you to
sign this," he flapped the thin folder of paper onto the table, "And you're here to stall and ask me
questions. We're going to play coy and talk and hopefully get somewhere, but it's probably going to
be fine with both our families if we don't. My father will simply reschedule us another dinner in
another restaurant I can be made up again to be served to you on a platter."
Gage's hand tightened on his glass, a hard light coming to his eyes.
"What? You didn't think he was so callous?" Alexis gave a quiet snort, trying to ignore that it sounded
disillusioned and that the handsome man across the table looked entirely too sympathetic. He flatly
stated, "Well, since we're past all this weary subterfuge, ask away. I'll tell you everything I know
though it's not going to amount to much." He shrugged, "I didn't know what he was doing so I'm not
privy to his little schemes. You could even say I'm just another of his pawns." Anger wound its way
tight into his belly, snaking up even into the expression on his face, turning it tight and pinched. He
tried to cover it with a sip of his water and when silence prevailed, he waved his hand in a gesture to
proceed, "Well? We only have so much time."
"I spoke to Ian," Gage said instead, downing the last of his wine. "I know you don't know anything.
There's no point in asking you about K-Sat or your father now."
"Then are we to waste each other's time?" Alexis snarled, unable to stop himself from losing his
temper, from clenching his fists, but at least he managed to keep his voice from rising.
"I did not deceive you," Gage said quietly, reaching across the table for one of Alexis' hands.
Andra Sashner 34
He pulled away.
With a soft sigh, Gage explained, "This game-play is not in my agenda. I'm here to tell you I was
honestly attracted to you the night we met. I didn't use you. I've missed you and I " He searched
Alexis' face, " honestly didn't want to say goodbye. I don't ever want to. And when I realised who
you were, that has been what I feared most. That you would fare me well and I'd never see you
again."
"What kind of man are you," Alexis hissed, outraged and baffled, "to say these things to me? Do you
think me some kind of fool?"
"If I don't say them now and here," Gage growled, leaning over the table, "then you will never know.
After tonight, the next time I see you may very well be in a court room."
Shaking with humiliation and confusion, Alexis demanded, "Then what do you want from me?"
"Talk to me, Elfling," came the quiet, desperate plea. "Tell me why you've pushed everyone away.
What strikes are you waiting, watching for? How are you able, now that you realise what you've been
played for, to make an effort to pool resources?" He sighed, "Tell me anything. I don't care what it
is."
For a horrible, tense moment, Alexis did not move. He almost didn't breathe. And then he narrowed
his eyes, a red haze clouding his vision, but he spoke carefully, softly, mindful of the other people in
the restaurant, "My mother died in childbirth of me. I look just like her. My father was always a
sadistic bastard and she was the one person who kept him in line. Without her, since I am unable to
measure up to her, my father has no need for morals and has sabotaged and cheated his way in
nearly every business deal he's been directly involved in."
Gage sat back in his seat looking sad and compassionate.
Shaking, Alexis pulled his eyes away from the infuriating man and took another drink of water, "And
now, you and Sir Ashton don't look so surprised, Gregory, I do have my own contacts have been
seeking out a way to gather proof. Ian Frost has been working on and off with you as well." He gave a
bitter laugh at the startled and mournful expression on Gage's face. "Oh? You didn't think I'd find
that out either. Ahh, yes. How about Kazuhi Mori? Hm, from the expression on your face, you didn't
think I'd find out about him either." He growled, "You forget I am actually human, never mind my
parentage, because Ian is my friend. Mine." With a snort, "Alan was just sheer dumb luck. He's not
even part of your plan though his father is."
Gage looked miserable. "I must apologise for "
"Save it, Gregory, there isn't anything "
"Stop calling me that."
" anything you can say that will make me believe you actually "
"I don't want to say goodbye."
Of Suits & Swords 35
" ever meant anything you've said to me." Alexis was breathing harshly by this point, a hairsbreadth
away from completely losing control of his temper. "You're a liar by omission. And for all that I was
used by my own father, I at least have never lied, I've never wilfully deceived anyone "
"You have my respect for that," Gage joked, looking helpless and hating it. "Now I just have to
convince you I'm worth "
"Shut up."
"I don't care about this plot or the money involved, I don't." He actually pleaded, eyes soft and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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