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Vic and Xavier exited Vivian and Charlotte’s back door and walked to their back door without any gate or fence between.
“We have a gated community of two,” Vic laughed.
“Indeed, we do.”
As they approached the back door, Gregory opened it. “Is everything all right, sir?”
“All is good. Turns out my mother is a fine shot.”
“Yes, she is most impressive,” Gregory stated. “Would you care for a drink or food?”
“No, we’re going to go to bed,” Vic assured him.
Once they climbed the stairs, Xavier spoke.
“Are we going to sleep or to bed?”
“Oh, bed for sure. Sleep? No.”
Xavier laughed and helped her out of her clothes as she worked on his. “You do realize if we each undressed ourselves this would go much faster.”
“True, but this is far more fun.”
Once they were naked, Xavier attempted to settle on top, only Vic suddenly sat up and smacked her head against his.
“Bloody hell!” Xavier snapped.
“Sorry, but I just realized Mr. Roberts actions do make sense.”
Xavier rolled to his side of the bed. “Not that I can tell.”
“Mr. Roberts wasn’t sent here by the murdering minister. He was here for Seth Sojourn. His job was to keep us all in the library trying to figure who was stealing what, while Sojourn sent three men to kidnap your mother, and possibly Vivian as well.”
Xavier sat up and stared at her. “But why would he do that. We have finally reached a détente.”
“True, but if I’m right, and the guy who took the diamond was Mr. Roberts, it would mean that Seth had wanted the diamonds from the very beginning. In fact, it’s possible that he even blames us for the loss of the diamonds, since it was Claire who created the Rupert’s Drops that made them toxic and unsalvageable.”
“But if Mr. Roberts worked for Seth, why would he have given the diamonds to the foreign Crime Lord?” Xavier asked.
“Maybe Seth’s plan was always to have someone kill the foreign Crime Lord. Only he didn’t understand the potency of these Rupert’s Drops being shot from a gun.” Vic tilted her head in thought. “Or...perhaps the red-hair minister who shot the Foreign Crime Lord works for Seth.”
“That seems a stretch.” Xavier challenged.
“Not to me. All three ministers were near bankruptcy and desperate to regain their wealth. They would have done anything to preserve their lifestyle. They shot Barringbarn without a care, just so they could have a larger piece of the take. It would not be beyond their despicable characters to make a deal with Seth Sojourn. And as far as the attempted abduction of your mother, there is no Crime Lord who would be able to extract more value from owning Charlotte than Seth.”
Xavier’s eyes narrowed upon her conclusion. “That is true.”
“And he hates the muzzle you’ve placed on him.”
“I will talk to the Minister of External Affairs about this, once we have the complete facts provided by Inspector Leaks. If there is any proven connection between the bank theft and Seth Sojourn, we may have to get rid of him for good.”
Vic stroked his bare chest. “That doesn’t seem to cheer you up.”
“Honestly, not at all. I’ve no idea who to replace him with.”
“What about Samson’s brothers? That way Samson could teach them the ropes and ensure they toe the line.”
“Your confidence in Samson is far greater than mine.”
“But is that due to actual problems in the way he runs his businesses or because I am good friends with him?”
“Probably the latter,” he admitted.
“I wish you trusted me as much as I trust you,” Vic muttered before turning on her side with her back facing him.
Xavier reached over and rolled her back to him. “Let me be perfectly clear on this matter. I trust you completely. It is solely Samson I do not trust, so I am loath to strengthen his power by allowing his brothers to become crime lords.”
Vic climbed upon his body. “So, you would prefer to keep Seth Sojourn, who wishes to kidnap your mother?”
“We don’t know that for sure.”
“Well, we do know for certain that Mr. Roberts, who lives in one of Seth Sojourn’s buildings, assisted the kidnappers by distracting us, and had your mother not been such a fine shot, you would be in the worst hell imaginable presently.”
Vic sighed in exasperation. “From my perspective, allowing Samson’s brothers to take over Seth’s territory seems much better. They are good men, and they respect you. Even Samson respects you.”
Xavier grimaced. “He has always been respectful.”
“We need more good Crime Lords, not less. Just consider the matter. However, right now, I wish to make love to you.”
Xavier breathed out softly. “I do as well.”
By the time Xavier had satiated his love for Vic, he had come to terms with what he must do. Vic was correct. They needed better Crime Lords. Seth Sojourn had always been a serious problem and the time has come for him to go. While Xavier hated Samson, those feelings were personal, not professional. He would go with Vic’s instincts on this one. By taking out Seth, he could split the Crime Lords territory into two and give each of the brothers their own piece. He wasn’t thrilled with the solution, but it was far better than Seth continuing attempts to abduct his mother.
Xavier fell into a restless sleep, dreaming of the many ways Seth could have kidnapped and abused his mother.