LITMIR.BIZ

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‘Which one of you wins these fearsome little encounters? Or do you both pass out at around the same time?’

      ‘It varies,’ said Luke. ‘I can hold my breath for longer.’

      ‘Handy,’ murmured Madeline. He really did have the most amazing coloured eyes. ‘And Jacob’s advantage?’

      ‘Stubbornness.’ Those golden eyes took on a speculative light. ‘But then, you probably already know that about him.’

      Madeline smiled non-committally. She was, after all, about to ask the stubborn man a favour. She dragged her gaze away from Luke Bennett and focused on Jacob instead. Jacob’s eyes were a bright piercing blue. It was like trading old gold for a slice of midday sky. ‘I hear you’re looking for a new apprentice.’

      ‘You heard wrong,’ said Jacob, his gaze sliding to Po, still hovering just inside the doorway. ‘Besides, the last one you found for me stole everything that wasn’t nailed down and most of the things that were.’

      ‘He gave it all back, didn’t he?’ countered Madeline. ‘And he became your best student and won an Asian championship or ten for you.’

      ‘Yeah,’ said Jacob dryly. ‘Right before the Hong Kong film industry came knocking and filled his brain with bright lights and tinsel.’

      ‘See? I knew you needed a new apprentice.’ Madeline bestowed upon him her most winning smile. ‘Hey, Po. Come and meet the sensei.’

      Po headed towards them warily. Small boy, somewhere in his early teens as far as Madeline could tell. That particular piece of information had never come her way and neither had Po’s surname. For Po there was the street and his ability to survive on it, nothing more. It had taken Madeline six months to get the boy to even consider that there might be other lifestyle options open to him.

      Jacob sighed heavily. ‘Why me?’ he muttered.

      ‘Because you’re a good man?’ offered Madeline helpfully. ‘Because if I put this one with anyone else he really will rob them blind?’

      ‘You could always put him back where you found him,’ offered Jacob. ‘You can’t save them all, Maddy.’

      ‘I know.’ But she could save some. And Jacob had been known to help her. ‘Po’s a pickpocket who works Orchid Road Central. He has a talent for annoying dangerous people. He needs to move on.’

      ‘Why am I not surprised?’ Jacob gave Po his full attention. ‘Do you even want to learn karate, kid?’

      Po shrugged. ‘I want to live.’

      ‘Can’t argue with that,’ said Luke Bennett cheerfully.

      ‘You take him, then,’ said his brother.

      ‘Sorry.’ Luke’s lips curved unrepentantly and Madeline suddenly found herself ensnared by a man in a way she hadn’t been for years. Rapid heartbeat, a curling sensation deep in her belly, an irresistible urge to bask in the warmth of that lazy smile—the whole catastrophe. ‘You’re the upright citizen. I’m the homeless one with the specialised skill set. I’d only corrupt him.’

      ‘What exactly is it that you do?’ Madeline asked.

      ‘Mostly I examine sea mines and weaponry for the military.’

      ‘Mostly when they’re about to go boom,’ added Jacob dryly. ‘Life expectancy is a problem.’

      ‘What’s life without risk?’ countered Luke with a glance in her direction. Amber eyes could be warm, she discovered. As warm as a lazy smile.

      ‘I’m guessing that particular line of reasoning works for you a lot,’ she said. ‘I’m guessing you’re inclined to categorise women into two main groupings. Those who run screaming when you smile at them and say that. And those who don’t.’

      Jacob guffawed, never mind that it landed him on the receiving end of a flat golden glare.

      ‘This way, kid,’ he said, still grinning as he turned and strode towards the far door. ‘I offer a room with a bed and a pillow, one set of linen, provisions for three square meals a day, and below minimum wage. In return I require loyalty, obedience, honour and dedication from you. If you’re not interested, feel free to go out the way you came in.’

      Jacob didn’t turn to see whether Po had chosen to follow him. Jacob knew street kids. He knew the boy would follow, if only to see if there was anything worth stealing later.

      Luke Bennett watched Po and his brother walk away, his expression a mixture of exasperation and reluctant pride. Madeline watched Luke. It wasn’t a hardship.

      ‘You do this to him often?’ he asked, turning and catching her examining him. She didn’t blush.

      ‘Often enough.’

      ‘Do they stay?’

      ‘Often enough.’

      ‘Are you in love with my brother?’

      ‘That’s a very personal question.’ Not one she felt inclined to answer. ‘Why do you ask?’

      ‘Jake doesn’t let down his guard very often. He let it down for you.’

      Madeline shook her head. ‘The outer perimeter, maybe.’ But Jacob Bennett’s heart was locked down tight and Madeline knew with blind feminine instinct that she didn’t hold the key to it. ‘What would you do if I said yes?’

      ‘Lament,’ he said. And on a more serious note, ‘I don’t poach.’

      ‘How very honourable of you. But then, I’d expect nothing less from a brother of Jacob’s. Tell him I had to be going.’

      ‘And my question?’

      Madeline considered him thoughtfully, knowing the question for what it was. A declaration of interest, an invitation to play. She’d taken only one lover in the six years since William’s death. She’d still been grieving, and in retrospect she’d wanted the comfort that came of intimacy far more than she’d wanted her lover’s love. He’d wanted a woman he could honour and respect. It hadn’t turned out well.

      What would Luke Bennett look for in a lover? she wondered. Passion? Passion hadn’t touched her in such a long time. Laughter? She could do somewhat better there. Honesty? She could give him that too, for what it was worth.

      And then there was honour, and that she could not do.

      ‘How long are you staying in Singapore, Luke Bennett?’

      ‘A week.’

      ‘Not long.’

      ‘Long enough,’ he countered. ‘A person can pack a lot into a week if they try.’ He shot her a crooked smile. ‘You still haven’t answered my question.’

      ‘Only because I don’t want to. Consider it one of life’s little mysteries.’

      ‘I hate mysteries,’ he said. ‘Fair warning.’

      Hard not to smile a little at that. ‘Enjoy your stay in Singapore, Luke Bennett. There’s plenty to entertain.’

      ‘There certainly is,’ he murmured.

      ‘There’s plenty of things you’d do well to avoid too.’ Fair warning. Smiling wryly, Madeline turned on her heel and let herself out.

      ‘So what’s the deal with you and Madeline Delacourte?’ Luke asked his brother as they resumed their battle with the Shaolin sticks some fifteen minutes later, this time with a watchful pickpocket for an audience. ‘You into her?’

      ‘Why the interest?’ asked Jake and followed through with a glancing blow to Luke’s side.

      Luke stopped talking and started concentrating on his defence. But the image of Madeline Delacourte—she of the knowing smile, honey-blonde hair, and long shapely legs—just wouldn’t go away.

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