LoveBetrayed Read Online Free Page A

he’d unveiled a dire secret.
    “‘Ha’ what?” Daniel asked with resignation. Clearly Simon
was not going to give up on this conversation until he’d said his piece.
    “Ha, you seem to be observing him as closely as he’s
watching you. Very interesting.”
    Daniel tried to count to ten, telling himself he wouldn’t
ask. He gave in at eight. “Why interesting?”
    “I’ve never seen you give a care for any of your previous
lovers. They could have been standing in front of you with their peckers
hanging out, declaring undying love, and you’d hardly blink an eye before
asking politely who the devil they were. Yet you have noticed not only where
your young lieutenant is, but his physical appearance and his mood as well.
That’s interesting.”
    “Not in the least. It simply indicates my level of boredom
as I sit here drinking to excess awaiting my next assignment.”
    “You are a liar. As a matter of fact you are an expert liar,
the consummate liar if I may go so far as to say so. And yet even I don’t
believe that clanker.”
    Daniel bowed his head in acknowledgement of the compliment.
“Thank you. I agree, my skills in deceit are indeed the best. But in this case,
I am telling the truth. Perhaps that is why you don’t recognize it.”
    “James is letting you stew.”
    Daniel blinked rapidly as he tried to process the change of
topic as he poured himself another glass of wine. “Is he? Why?”
    “That’s why you’re still sitting around here waiting for a
new assignment. I’ve been out twice since your last encounter when you, ahem,
met Ashbury. Tarrant at least once. I know others have done the same. And yet
here you sit. I think he knows your attentions have wandered and he’s punishing
you.”
    Daniel snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. James is my superior
and more when the mood strikes. We are hardly lovers to have such silly
quarrels. He is as perfunctory about our recreational activities as I am. We
have an itch, we’re both here, we scratch it. There is no sentiment attached.”
    Simon shrugged. “Since we are speaking of James, I’m sure
you are correct about his lack of sentiment. There is, however, the matter of
pride, which he has in abundance. You are quite sought after for recreational
activities, as you well know. To be blunt, you are a legendary fuck. He likes
having you at his beck and call. He does not want you wandering into other
pastures.”
    “And?” Daniel asked, annoyed. “What has this to do with
anything?” Inwardly he feared Simon was correct. James was getting far too
proprietary for Daniel’s liking. Normally, when he got overly excited during a
mission, as he had the night he’d met Ashbury, he’d simply report back to
James, fuck him, and move on. James had been irritated the day after he’d met
Harry, when Daniel had reported to him. He’d asked where Daniel had been, why
he hadn’t reported the night before. Daniel had brushed off his irritation.
Perhaps he shouldn’t have.
    “Just keep an eye on your lieutenant.”
    Daniel’s head whipped around and he glared at Simon. “What
are you saying? What have you heard?”
    Simon shrugged. “Nothing. But he’s far from discreet, isn’t
he? James has probably put two and two together already. He is not a man to be
dismissed or replaced. I wouldn’t put it past him to simply eliminate the
competition.”
    Daniel dumped out his wine with a flick of his wrist and
stood up. “You are being melodramatic. Too much wine always makes you maudlin
and intolerable.”
    Simon just laughed as he watched Daniel walk away. “Say
hello to the lieutenant,” he called out softly, making Daniel grit his teeth in
irritation.
    As he passed Ashbury he made eye contact and with a small
movement of his head let him know he wished to see him. Simon was an old woman,
always worrying, but he’d planted the seed of worry and Daniel knew he wouldn’t
be able to rest until he’d warned Ashbury. Sir Barnabas James was not a man