AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Secrets.
I thought I saw a pain in his eyes that matches my own. A desperation that mirrors mine. A dark shadow that I could feel in my own chest, like a second heartbeat.
But what do I know? I know nothing.
So I shrug and follow him inside. I follow his lead, until I figure out how things will play out, and what role will be assigned to me in this new game.
Chapter Thirteen
STORM
Raylin shrugs when I ask her what she would like to eat. She shrugs when I ask her if salmon is acceptable. She shrugs when I tell her she can shop for clothes from the online catalogues on my laptop, so she can wear something she likes.
I’m this close to banging my head on the wall. Her face is blank, her voice flat, her defenses are all up and in my face.
Why is she acting this way? I get that she didn’t expect any of this, but hell, a week ago I hadn’t, either. I hadn’t expected to find her, or bring her here. Much less hurry to sign in for my inheritance, so I can pay off the Chinese mafia.
I’m doing this to help her. I didn’t want to come back here, goddammit. Not yet anyway. Not until I’d figured out a plan, and I’m not only talking about making sure I survive to see my twenty-second year.
No, I’m talking about the secret I’m keeping, the one that’s been eating me alive all these years, the one I couldn’t do anything about—until now. Maybe. If I can work it out.
I didn’t need any mafia on my back, too, but if that’s what it takes to keep her safe, to keep her alive… I’ll be damned if I let her parents fuck up her life any more, like my parents did with mine. She doesn’t deserve that. Nobody does, but least of all her. She’s sweet, she’d kind, she’s fearless, and she makes me feel…
Like what, Storm? Come on, let us have it. Make you feel like what?
No.
So I open the door when the concierge pings me on the number I only use for such matters, and he carries inside the delivery boxes from my favorite restaurant, depositing them on the kitchen counter.
“It’s good to have you back, sir,” he offers as he takes them out of the paper bags and goes in search of dishes. “Would you like me to serve you outdoors, on the terrace?”
“No, Cyrus, thank you.”
“You’re right, sir. It might rain.”
“Yeah, it might.” Out of the corner of one eye, I catch Raylin’s slightly slack-jawed expression, and I’m torn between laughing and groaning out loud. “Thank you, Cyrus. I’ve got it from here.”
“Of course, sir.” He gives a small bow in Raylin’s direction. “Madam.”
As soon as the door clicks shut behind him, she leans against the counter and a choked sound leaves her throat. “Madam? Seriously?”
Not sure how to interpret that, I pull out dishes and silverware. “Wanna eat here or by the pool?”
She bites her lip, then turns around and leaves the room without a word.
Know what? Fuck this. Enough waiting around for her to tell me what the matter is. I just drop everything and go after her.
Because she’s mine, has been mine since I saw her on that beach, and I’ll make sure she knows it.
***
She’s standing at the door of my bedroom, one arm over her face, dark hair spilling over her shoulders, shiny and soft. Damn, just looking at her, at the curve of her long neck, those pretty curves and shapely legs, makes me hard.
And goddamn angry. Fucking pissed that she won’t tell me what’s wrong.
“R
ay,” I say, but she doesn’t move.
