Simply Sinful by Kate Pearce Read Free Book Online Page A

relationship with Anthony was almost as complex as his relationship with Valentin.
    “I did. I have every confidence in you.”
    He glanced at the clock. It was getting late. It had been his intention to clear his desk and get out before Valentin turned up. He knew Valentin would be back, and he was curiously reluctant to face his friend and business partner. The scars Val had inflicted were still too fresh.
    He retrieved his quill pen and wrote another series of instructions. A shadow darkened his desk and he held out a sheaf of papers.
    “Ah, Taggart, I’ve almost finished. Take these, will you?”
    When he looked up he discovered Valentin staring down at him.
    “In a hurry, Peter?”
    He straightened and carefully replaced his quill in the inkwell. Valentin wore his infuriatingly bland face, the one that made Peter long to punch him. He sat on the corner of the desk and crossed his long legs at the ankle. Peter cleared his throat.
    “I’m leaving town at six this evening and I have yet to pack.”
    He collected the rest of the scattered papers from his desk and headed for the door. As if he had been already summoned, Taggart appeared and blocked his exit.
    “Are these for me, sir? Thank you, and may I say that I hope you enjoy your trip. I can’t remember the last time you took a holiday.”
    Peter smiled at him and reluctantly turned back to his office, where the Sokorvsky brothers awaited him.
    “Taggart’s right, you know.” Val addressed his remark to his half brother. “Peter does deserve some time away. It seems as if his brain has become addled.”
    Peter leaned back against the door frame, arms folded across his chest. “Perhaps I simply need to get away from the unhealthy influences of town life.”
    Anthony studied both of their faces and backed toward the door. “Perhaps I should go.”
    Peter remained in front of the only exit. “There’s no reason for that. You’re part of Valentin’s family, and we all know that for him, family comes first. I’m sure he’ll wish to seek your assistance during my absence.” He dug in his pocket and pulled out his set of keys. “In fact, why don’t you take my keys and use my office while I’m gone?”
    Anthony’s expression grew hunted. “I’m not sure…”
    Peter threw the keys. They landed on his desk with a crash, just missing Valentin’s fingers.
    “Where exactly are you going?” Valentin picked up the keys and studied them.
    Peter favored him with a dismissive smile. “Oh, here and there. I wouldn’t want to bore you with the details of my personal life.”
    Valentin stood up. “What if I need to contact you about a business matter? There is the small matter of that bankrupt shipping line we are trying to acquire.”
    Peter held his gaze. “I’ll make sure that any messages left at my house are collected on a regular basis.”
    “This is not like you.” Valentin strolled closer until he reached the door.
    “People change, Val. Even I am capable of that.” Peter straightened and went to open the door. “Perhaps you might allow me to get on? I have a lot to do today.”
    Val slammed his hand against the door panel, preventing Peter’s escape. “We have not finished this conversation.”
    “I have.”
    Peter wrenched hard on the door, pushed past Val’s outstretched hand and headed for the main office. How dare Val try to detain him. He had made his position clear and he rarely changed his mind, so what was there to talk about? Surely it was better if they had a clean break.
    With a muttered curse, Peter realized he’d left his hat and cloak in his office. He certainly wasn’t going back to collect them. Perhaps a walk home would improve his temper. After saying good-bye to Taggart and the rest of the office staff, he stepped out the front door.
    He paused to allow a brewers cart to rumble past him and then walked up a sharp incline of the road, avoiding the trickle of filth that ran down the center.
    “Peter! Peter,