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It still felt like such a betrayal—he’d left Arianna’s side the night his mum died, as she was trying with everything she had to comfort him, to be with another woman. He’d loved Annabelle and slept with her and then the day of his mum’s funeral, he’d let Arianna hold and comfort him. He’d made her believe with his kiss that he loved her. And then, instead of facing Arianna or Levi, he’d disappeared.
Arianna finally crashed into her bed that night. The next morning, she busied herself shopping for food for a nice Christmas Eve dinner for her and her dad, wrapping presents for him, and organizing, wrapping, and delivering the gifts she’d bought for neighbors and friends.
Freedom to do what she wanted and be out of the castle was lovely.
Missing Brad was awful.
It was just past five p.m. when her dad banged through her front door.
“What on earth?” he demanded. “I have to hear from the news that the Gifted Genius and his wife are in custody and rush here to find you?” He was still wearing a shirt and tie from his work as an accountant. He always told her she got her creativity from her mum.
She smiled. “Sorry, Dad. I should have called you back last night, but it was really late and pretty overwhelming.”
“Ah, girlie. Come give me a hug and tell me all about it. Then we’ll walk down to the Christmas Market and buy junk food for dinner.”
Arianna laughed and rushed to him. He held her close, his musk and lime scent familiar and comforting. She was proud of herself for not crying. Her dad was all she had now.
Why couldn’t Brad ever be hers?
Darn!
The tears came then.
“What’s this?” her dad asked, pulling back slightly. “Ah, my sweet girl, are you traumatized by that murderer? I’m going to march to the prison, tell Chief Jensen I’m the dad and some vigilante justice is not out of line. He’ll understand.”
That made her smile. Her dad was fabulous but had probably never so much as thrown a punch. He wouldn’t be the one to execute any kind of justice.
“Come now. Tell me the story.” He led her to the couch, and they sat side by side.
She drew in a breath. “Well, the wedding went better than I even envisioned.”
“I knew it would.” He smiled. “I’m so proud. I saw some of it on the news. The reporter from BBC said, ‘This gorgeous and magical event will be lauded as the royal wedding of the century.’”
“Thank you. The wedding went perfectly.”
“And after the wedding?” he prompted.
“After the wedding, Brad took me up to the solarium.”
“Brad?” His gaze sharpened.
“Rivera.”
“Brad’s returned?” His eyebrows lifted. “How is he? You’ve been spending time with him? What about your guards?”
Arianna was in a lot of trouble. “Dad. I didn’t tell you because I’m kind of a mess where Brad is concerned.” That was the understatement of the year. “But he and Mason have been my guards this week. Brad came back and enlisted in the military. Apparently he learned to fight and protect the villagers in Africa. He’s quite impressive.”
“The boy has always been impressive. Africa, huh?” Her dad shook his head. “I can’t believe he’s back. It’s been, what …”
“Eight years.” She’d counted the days where most people, even her dad, had gone on with their lives.
“He disappeared for eight years and then simply returned?”
She nodded.
“What do you mean, you’re a mess?” His gaze sharpened on her. “You still have a crush on him?”
“You knew?”
