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“Camilla.” My tone was low. “Operation 12? You’re back?”
Camilla Rodriguez, the most vindictive yet charming blonde you’ll ever be acquainted with.
“Dillon Xander. My muse.”
Never did I ever expect that I’d be here having dinner with her, not after how nasty everything went down, but she called, and here we were.
“How have you been? Are you done buying out Europe?”
“I left a little piece of it for you; don’t worry,” she leaned into my ear and whispered, ending with a slight chuckle, “I’m in town for the week, and I missed my best lay. The lay of the century.” A deep level of unease came over me.
“I thought we were friends and business partners.”
“We could’ve been, but life didn’t quite work out that way. What have you been up to? Have you gotten rid of Annalise yet?”
My expressions hardened at the mention of her name. I hated her with every bone in my body. “You love to play dirty. We both know my hatred for her runs deep.”
“It’s funny how you hate my sister, but here you and I are being life-long friends,” she grinned, placing her hands over mine. I pulled my hands from hers and sat up on the seat. The feeling of unease washed me once more and my spirit dampened. I wished I was here with Azzarria instead.
“You hate her more than I do,” I noted. Camilla and Annalise cut contact the minute she found out I was marrying Annalise.
“She took what’s mine, but we don’t cry over spilled milk. Are you ready to take over Operation 12? Your grandparents would be so proud if they were here to see it.” I felt the genuineness of this statement, and it gave me some warmth but I knew Camilla, she wasn’t just here because of this.
Operation 12 was pivotal for them. It not only served as the launchpad for my grandpa’s brand but also coincided with the moment he met the love of his life, Evelyn Ramona Smith-Xander, my grandmother.
Camilla’s involvement stemmed from her father— he was a direct engineer of my grandfather. We worked day in and out to add to the plan, but once my grandparents died, I shut the plan down and refused to continue, as it felt wrong—like I was cheating them.
“Always ready to take over anything.”
“I won’t lie,” she said, twirling her hand around the rim of her drink. Whiskey on the rocks—a classic. “I’ve missed you. Doesn’t matter if it’s years or months. We had something real, and then you broke my heart—the only way of life you know.”
My teeth gritted and my muscles flexed. I know that behind every ounce of charm Camilla possessed, there was also deep hatred and loneliness after I married Annalise. She hated me for months. Ended every business contract we had, backed out of all deals, and even left the city.
I even remembered her words: I can’t watch you love my sister in front of me. I should be happy for her, but I’m not, and I’ll never be. I never want you two to work out, but I always want your happiness. I have to leave.
My infatuation for both women were long gone. And even if they weren’t, Azzaria removed every nerve in my body that could need another woman the way I needed her.
“Camilla, we had good years, but it’s over. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. It’s not fair to her,” I sorrowfully admitted.
“Her who? Annalise?” She asked in disbelief but soon her eyes widened, and she gasped. “The girl you took to Mara’s baby shower. Does she know how messed up you are? How twisted you are? How much of a goddamn heartbreaker you are?”
“She knows everything she needs to. Why are you actually here, Camilla? I’m sure it’s not to wish me well on Operation 12.”
I grabbed my things, walked out of the restaurant, and went directly to the silver BMW parked on the side. There was no reason to stay any longer; the dinner was a complete mistake, and I should’ve known better than to meet with her.
“Dillon,” Mikkel shouted, “you’ll want to see this.”
Taking the iPad from him, I saw the latest tabloid which I’m sure Azzaria was looking at too.
JUST IN: Dillon Xander reunited with his ex-lover Camilla Rodriguez at Rosseau Road, NYC. Scroll to page 10 to see more spicy pictures and insiders on them.
“Get the press on the phone now. I need this down.” This was my life. Tabloids always coming up at the wrong time, and I could only imagine what Azzaria was going through reading this.
CHAPTER 22
Azzaria
I was stuck on the picture. My mind was betraying me as much as my eyes did. Why did I check my notifications this morning?
