Page 53 of Dark Lover

“I know your father and I were hoping this day would come.” Nick smiled. “Of course, I was hoping for more pleasant circumstances. How is Aidan, by the way? How is Lady Brianna?”

Ian’s smile was cold. “I wouldn’t know. I don’t keep in touch. But then, ye know that, don’t ye? It’s in my file.”

“Of course you wouldn’t know. You’re out of your time. All alone, consorting with evil, stealing what you want, when you want…Isn’t it lonely, to be living like that?”

“I’m here fer my file,” Ian said. “Not to discuss how I live.”

“But I want to discuss how you live and the choices you’ve made. Because, you see, those choices impact me.” He added, “Aidan must be so disappointed in you.”

Ian was becoming angrier by the minute. Sam felt like interfering. Why did Nick have to dig a knife in?

“In fact, his heart must be broken.”

Ian was incredulous. “If his heart is broken, that’s his problem, not mine! I’m here for my file. It belongs to me. I want it.” Ian seethed.

“And the old gods must be pissed. Not a good idea, to annoy any god, even an old one.”

Ian laughed. “The old gods don’t care what I do and if ye think otherwise, yer a fool.”

“The one thing I’m not, Maclean, is a fool.”

“If ye have a file on me, then yer very foolish,” Ian said, softly now. “Because I won’t allow it.”

Nick grinned. “Here at HCU, I am king. All the files here belong to me.”

“Stop baiting him,” Sam said. “A war won’t solve anything.”

Nick glanced coolly at her. Ian turned, his gaze blazing with anger.

“A little sugar goes a long way,” she added.

Ian wasn’t mollified but Nick sighed. “She’s right, Maclean. Let’s start over. I think we can help each other.”

“Really?” Ian mocked. He shuddered, and a number of photographs and plaques fell off the wall, some books tumbling from the bookcases.

“Very adult,” Nick said. “I know you have power, Maclean.”

“Then don’t make me use it.”

Jan walked over to Ian and laid her hand on his arm. Sam blinked in disbelief as Ian shrugged her off. “Ian, give Nick a chance,” Jan tried. “And, Nick, please. He isn’t evil. He’s simply lost his way.”

Ian glanced at her coldly.

Sam choked.

“Damn it, Nick. Give him a break,” Jan added softly.

Ian looked sharply at her. But of course she had his attention—she was Amazing Jan.

“Are you kidding?” Nick asked. “He stole the page of illusion. And he plans to sell it to the highest bidder for cash. I am not giving him any breaks. Let’s make a deal, Maclean. One that helps us both.”

Jan gestured at the leather sofa and chairs at the far end of the office, her red nails still on Ian’s bare arm. “Why don’t we sit down? Would you like a drink, Ian?”

He looked at her, then at Sam. “No.”

Jan dropped her hand. She shared a quick look with Nick. Sam wished she could read their minds.

Nick grimaced. “All right, Maclean. Let’s start over. Jan is right—she usually is. My bad, but then, I’m not a diplomat. However, I’m sure you understand. I’m just a wee bit nervous over the page being in the wrong hands—and falling into worse hands. Not to mention I almost lost one of my best agents in that damned stupid car chase yesterday.”