AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’ve learned a lot about myself in the time away from Ares. A lot. More than I ever thought possible for me.
“Ok, I’m ready. How do I look?”
I shelter my rambling thoughts and turn on the dazzling smile my sister is expecting. She joins me in the living of the massive penthouse. I’m sitting in the sunken living room overlooking the city below. A large white sofa lines the entire space with various throw pillows in burgundy for a splash of color.
I swallow back the pain and regret. Seeing red sends a wash of panic over me for the atrocities I’ve committed. Deep down, maybe I am no better than Ares. I’ve killed. A hard truth I will have to live with.
My sister twirls in front of me. “You’re stunning,” I say and I mean every word.
Pretty red-tinged lips quirk into a smirk of disbelief. “It’s a business suit.”
I raise my glass. “And it fits you perfectly.”
Polaris still hasn’t regained the weight she lost under the cruel hand of her torturers.
She joins me on the couch, pulling a pillow over her lap. “You’re going to love it here. I was checking out the various rooms and levels earlier—”
Polaris laughs softly. Pre-kidnapping it would have been a boisterous, infectious laugh that would light a room up. Now it’s a faint sound I strain to hear.
“You can’t just go into the rooms, Nova.”
I shrug and sip on my champagne. “Why not? I knocked. I wanted to see the new digs my sister will be working six days a week. Did you see what they have in the golden room?”
She raises her brows in a way that saysduh, of course. “It’s called the golden room for a reason.”
I smile.
“You’re sad. I can feel it.”
Hiding it seems futile. Since childhood, Polaris has always been able to see deeper than surface level. “I miss him and his overbearing, controlling, infuriating ways.” I refuse to cry and smudge my makeup. A rare occurrence but I wanted to be dolled up nicely for some selfies for Polaris’ first night as Genesis’ head executive assistant.
Polaris takes my hand and twines our fingers together. She moves over and we sit with our heads together just watching the night. “Do you think I made a mistake?” I ask.
“I think you needed space. With your work here done and Santi, Cillian, and Harlon holding the dirt you dug up from the people stealing from them and using this place to run women through. You’re free.” Polaris shifts on the couch and we look at each other. “You need to do what makes you happy.”
I huff out a heavy sigh. “You’re right. Maybe I’ll go down to South America. Put my Spanish skills to good use down there for a while.” I push off the couch and Polaris pulls me into a big hug.
“You’re safe here, Polaris. Use your time here to heal, okay. Finish your degree in business and just focus on yourself, okay. For the first time in our lives, you have a clear path to success ahead of you. Take it.”
“Ladies.”
We turn in unison to see Harlon, Cassian, and Santi standing in the middle of the penthouse. They’re dressed to stop hearts and all wear smiles to match the fancy suits. If dressed to kill were a thing these three have it down to an art.
“Gentlemen.” I release my sister and she crosses to them. Harlon holds an elbow out and I watch my sister lace her hand through the crook of his arm.
“Ready, Ms. Masters?”
“I think so.” An untrained ear wouldn’t pick up on the shiver in her soft voice. But I do. I also notice the heated, possessive glances coming off Santi and Cassian for my sister. For the last four weeks I’ve stared at their matching wedding bands, but I’ve yet to see a wife for any of them. There’s a deeper story there. One I’m sure will come to light soon enough.
I’m about to say something along the lines of don’t hurt her, typical big sister stuff when Polaris turns back to me. “Hey, Nova?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t be gone long, okay?”
I wrangle my emotions into something that resembles cool and calm, but my insides are weeping at all I’ve lost.
I force a smile on and turn up the juice making it shine like a million bucks.
