AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He knew, of course he did. I said, “Well, look, I’m sorry, I’m not trying to fool you.”
“Yeah? Because Julia told me you met this guy at a club. Since when are you hot on nightlife, Syd? Come on, you can tell me, I’m on my deathbed here.” He said that with such cynicism that I was ready to cry.
“Don’t you say that, Declan.”
Declan smiled. “Go on then, lay it out for me. What, does he have some weird fetish? Why don’t you want to talk to me about him?”
I guessed there was no way out of it. And to what end? My brother had every right to know what was going on.
“Promise not to get angry.”
He frowned, which was visible hard for him. “I will try.” Pale as he was, I thought he was beginning to get red in the face already.
Taking a deep breath, I told him exactly what had gone down. How Julia tipped me off about this club, and how it turned out to be an auction for rich men, and how there was a spark between Owen and me, and how I left the club with him…
“Let me stop you right there,” he said, his voice sore. “He bought you at an auction?”
“It’s not like that!”
“If I’m honest, it fucking sounds exactly like that.” The equipment beeped faster as Declan’s heart began racing.
“You need to calm down, Declan.”
“Did you sleep with him?”
Now it was my turn to blush. “It wasn’t because of the money.”
He shut my eyes tight, as if he wanted to disappear. I felt the same way. When the silence got awkward, I said, “I really liked him, Declan, and not for my money. I did it for you, Declan. I’ve been trying, but I just can’t do it on my own.”
His eyes were still closer, but now there were tears at their corners. He coughed, then said, quietly, “I’m sorry, Syd. It’s all my fault.”
“It isn’t!”
“I want you to be happy.”
“And I want you to be better. And we’re both getting what we want. I’m not selling myself into slavery, Declan. Besides, it’s over now.”
“Why?”
“We had a fight, or whatever. Anyway, he’s not coming back here anytime soon. We’re done.”
“But you’re okay?” he asked, like I was the one who needed saving.
“I’m fine. I’m with you, and that’s what’s best for everyone.”
19
Owen
I should have fucking followed her.
Why was I sitting here, doing nothing on the island? Jesus Owen, what a fucking mess.
As soon as the plane returned to the island, I said goodbye to paradise. I had to face my demons, and Sydney. I needed to win her back.
Immediately after I stepped on the plane, I got out my phone and called the office. Even at this late hour, the key people were there, working with the legal team on fixing everything. Or so I hoped.
Thankfully, my last phone call had been effective, and instead of describing the problems, my people offered solutions, most of which I approved of. It seemed like everyone was collected enough to handle it on their own, and I wouldn’t need to use my ace this time. I would keep that pretty little picture of the DA for another issue.
