Big Ben (See No Evil Trilogy #1) - Nana Malone Page 0,42

information on Elite members, men who would do anything to hold on to power. We need to find out what she knows, and in the meantime, get her some protection. If she’s innocent, we just put the target on her. If something about the pass wasn’t clean, we’re obligated to look after her, but there’s no way she won’t ask questions.”

I swallowed hard. He was right. But it was my responsibility. “I got her into this.”

He sighed as he crossed his arms. “We’re a team, mate. We’ll take care of this.” His silvery gaze bore into me. “Is she a problem for you? Can you stay detached? Unemotional?”

I ground my teeth. I knew what he was asking. “She’s not Lila.”

“That’s not what I asked. We’ll protect her. But if we find out she’s not who she claims to be, can you keep your shit together? The stakes are higher now.”

“I’m tight.” Total bollocks. I was already fucked in the head over her.

“I was giving you shit the other day, but if you’re spinning, you can tell me, mate. You know that.”

I swallowed hard, trying to fight through the wall of emotion. Olivia wasn’t Lila. She wouldn’t shag me, pretend to love me, then try to upgrade to my bloody father. And I would not go off the rails like before. We couldn’t afford for me to.

There was a shuffling near the door, and I lifted my gaze. Dark eyes met mine. “I should have known it was you, arsehole.”

I inclined my head. “Mina, always nice to see you.” And by nice, I meant I had the inexplicable urge to do murder. Just kidding. It was explicable. She was a conniving bitch. I could see right through her.

She pursed her lips. “It’s late, Bridge.”

“I know, babe. We’re just having a quick drink and catching up.”

She glowered at me but turned and sauntered off.

“Nice to see she still adores me.”

“I don’t know what it is with you two.” He shook his head.

I knew what it was, but I wasn’t telling him. Mina was a class-A viper. She’d gotten her hooks into him early, and there was nothing about her I trusted. She didn’t love him, at least not that way he really should be loved. Bridge needed someone that would warm up his life. Mina wasn’t it. But it wasn’t my choice, so I kept my mouth shut. “Not sure. But hey, she’s not mine to shag. She’s all yours.”

Bridge snorted. “One day, I’ll find out why you two don’t get on.”

If it was left to me, he would never find out. I wouldn’t be the one to break my best mate’s heart.

I shoved my hands in my pocket to ask my next question. “We haven’t had a chance to talk about all of this. But you okay after seeing Emma?”

Bridge was usually so good at masking his emotions, but his eyes narrowed imperceptibly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

I lifted a brow. “C’mon mate. I remember your face the first time you ever saw her. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look like that since.”

He shook his head. “That was kid’s stuff. Been a long time since we were kids.”

I searched his gaze, but he was too hard to read. Running my hand through my hair, I muttered, “Right. A long fucking time.” He wouldn’t say shit until he was damn well good and ready.

He frowned down at my hand. “Mate, your ring?”

I knew what he meant right away. I’d taken it off before my Olivia outing. “Would you believe it itched?” I rubbed the tattoo on my thumb, the one that was usually covered by my signet ring.

He pressed his lips together. “Mate, however much you hate them, it’s your job to play the part.”

He was right. I knew he was right. “Yeah, fine. I hear you.”

“Put it on, Ben. Appearances are everything.”

He wasn’t wrong about that.

Livy

After our adventures with Jack the Ripper, I’d expected Ben to act different in some way, but he was mostly normal. He’d been out of the office on Friday but had emailed to let me know the police would be by to take a statement.

And that had been all he’d said on the matter. He mostly let me get on with it as if nothing had happened.

Which was handy because there was a lot to learn about the running of the business. I had my work cut out for me.

As annoying as Ben was sometimes, with his deep voice and strutting around here like he