Two years ago.
The thunderbolt struck his chest. The hazy fog of delusions drifted off revealing the reality, so cruel and devastating it made his jaw clench tight. The tingling in his chest replaced with pure agony and a bitter feeling of frustration.
He remembered his deal with Rafael. Even though he spat those words, he wasn’t sure how he was going to make her fall for him when he couldn’t win her two years ago. Two years ago, he was nothing, just a son of the rich man, butnow Kaelith was a changed man. His own wealth. The name he earned for himself. The pillar of pride he established in two years. He should be happy, yet the void in his chest only seemed to expand.
His phone rang cutting through his thoughts. Amara looked at the sound, and then at Kaelith. The latter scowled at the name on the phone. Slowly pushing back his chair and pressing the phoneto his ear he rumbled.
“What?” Kaelith heard a chuckle.
“Something must be wrong in the air that my best friend is ignoring my calls. How are things going on with your long-lost love?” Kaelith eyed Amara, her curious looking up at him, resisting the urge, he walked to other side.
“Cut the crap, Lorcan, or I’ll skin you alive when I see you next time.” He mumbled.
“Not blissful then.” There was a wicked hint in Lorcan’s voice.
In the ten years, Kaelith had known Lorcan, not a single one passed without him driving him to near murdering him. It was almost impressive on his part. Instead of strangling him like Kaelith wanted,he smoothed a casual hand through his hair.
“Compared to your ass, it’s mind fucking blowing.” Lorcan laughed.“What you know about my ass, Luca. It takes one to know one.”
“What do you need, Lorcan? I’m sure you didn’t call just to know how is my love life going on.“
“No. How is Amara?” Lorcan muttered concerned, but the mention of Amara unwittingly brought his eyes to where she sat chatting with Martha. Kaelith was impressed by how she came to befriend the housemaid, mingling with the staff.
It was galling.
His eyes lingered on the sweep of hair cascading over her shoulder and the swirl of ruffles around her ankles.
Amara laughed at something Martha said. Her whole face lit up, and Kaelith realized he’d never seen her genuine, unguarded smile before, not once in fifteen years. Just sparkling eyes, rosy cheeks, and an airy lightness that transformed her from beautiful to stunning.
Awareness kindled in his chest, hot and unwanted.
“She is healing,” Kaelith drawled suppressing his emotions.
“I’m glad. I called to tell you about Francis.” He dragged his eyes away from Amara, but her presence remained a tangible heat on his skin. He tried to shake it off to no avail. “The shipment from Russia disappeared last night. My bet is on Francis.”
Kaelith sobered.“I know. Santiago updated me.”
Francis Donovon—Americanarmsdealer.Kaelith’s swornenemy.
“What?!” Kaelith could imagine Lorcan’s wide black eyes, filled with astonishment and shock. Kaelith pinched the bridge of his nose.
“You’re as useless as a used tissue, Lorcan. I still don’t know why I’m friends with you.”
“No shit, Luca. You love me. I know. About Francis, do you need me to look into his…” Kaelith cut him off instantly.
“Not for now. Let him have the delusions of defeating me. I’ll strike when the iron is hot.”
“Strategic as always.” Lorcan praised.
“You know I am.”
The amused glint in Kaelith’s eyes returned when he looked over his shoulder. He sensed her before he saw her. The sound of her giggles. Martha was helping her, adjustingher and wheeling her to the garden outside. He kept looking till she drifted away from his sight.
“I’ll see you in the office.” Before Lorcan could say anything, Kaelith hung up and looked up at the sky, stretched out like an endless canvas, painted in the softest hues of dawn. A deep sigh left his lips as he shut his eyes waiting for the tingles in his stomach to calm.
He thought he lost the ability to love, so why was he feeling the butterflies in his stomach?
CHAPTER 7
