The Price of Winning: London Calling Book Four Read Online Free PDF Page A

backward, moving away. “But you can take down your umbrella. The rain has stopped.” He was about to turn back to the building entrance when the man’s gaze snapped upward, locking onto Sebastian’s.  
    His eyes were brown, bloodshot, and deeply set. For the first time Sebastian noticed his shoes and pants. They were nice, like something a professional would wear. Obviously, Sebastian was wrong to be worried. It was just another harried businessman—distracted and probably trying to be in two places at once.
    An older couple approached, heading for the building entrance. With a brisk nod to the other man, Sebastian stepped around him to open the door. The couple smiled broadly, murmuring their thanks.  
    “What a filthy day,” the woman remarked, albeit laughingly. “Madeleine better appreciate the fact we went out in this mess.”
    Sebastian’s ears immediately perked up. Tilting his head, he stepped forward, closing some of the distance between them.  
    “She does,” the man’s voice was cheerful. Sebastian noticed he walked with a slight but distinct limp. “Besides, she’s our daughter, and you know you’d do anything for her.”
    Sebastian saw his opportunity. He cleared his throat, approaching them before they reached the dreaded concierge who would most certainly recognize him and blow his chances of seeing Madeleine Price straight to hell.  
    “Excuse me.” They both turned, expectant. “Did you say you were visiting Madeleine? Madeleine Price?”
    There was a brief hesitation and a loaded glance between the obviously married couple. The woman was the first to speak. “Yes, we are. Do you know our Maddy?”
    Sebastian guessed the woman to be in her mid to late fifties. He could tell her hair, though faded and slightly graying, had once been a magnificent shade of red.  
    Like her daughter’s.
    Sebastian matched their warm smiles, doing his best to exude friendliness. It must have worked, because both faces lit up in amicable acceptance.  
    “I do know Madeleine,” he said, seizing on an idea. He held out his hand, shaking first her father’s then her mother’s. “I’m Sebastian. I made Madeleine’s acquaintance during her recent trip to Jersey. She told me to look her up if I was ever in her neighborhood. I’m hoping to surprise her.” He smiled through the lie, secretly wondering what the hell got into him when he was within a mile of the woman upstairs.  
    He could only gamble on the hope Madeleine wouldn’t make a scene in front of her parents.  
    The pair in question now looked positively thrilled to see him. Again, the mother spoke first. “Oh, she did? Well that’s so nice!” She dropped her voice. “Maddy rarely invites people to visit, you know.”
    Sebastian did know. “So you wouldn’t mind if I catch a ride with you in the elevator?”
    Madeleine’s mother held up a finger. “One second, do you mind?” She pulled her husband a couple of feet away and whispered in his ear. By now the concierge had noticed them grouped in the building foyer. He stepped out, his friendly smile dying as soon as he saw Sebastian.  
    The situation called for quick decisiveness. And a silent wish for luck. “Mr. and Mrs. Price, shall we?” He reached out, ushering them toward the lobby entrance. The concierge hesitated a split-second, and Sebastian feared he was doomed for disappointment.  
    “Yes, let’s go, honey.” She took her husband’s arm, navigating him through the lobby. “I’m sure Madeleine will be happy to see Sebastian.”
    The concierge visibly relaxed and led the way to the bank of elevators. Clearly, her parents were excused from all the security measures Sebastian went through a few months before. As the lift climbed to her penthouse floor, Sebastian exhaled the long breath he’d been holding. He’d avoided the first pitfalls. Now he just needed to get through her front door.
    Unlike last time.  
    He didn’t know quite when he’d become so determined to