I watch as her face changes from surprise to realisation to devastation. Her heart is thumping wildly as she stares at me, her gorgeous violet eyes wide.
She didn’t know, just as I presumed, and I wish I had somehow found a way to let her know that Valerie needed her. Well, no surprise there, fucking up is my forte and I keep doing that.
She used to be the voice of logic and reason in my life, and why my father truly approved of her. Although he never liked her father, he had always held Zaia in high regard. That is a relationship that is still not the way it used to be before I divorced her.
Looking at her, I know that she deserves that position as CEO. I won’t ever say it, but I’m proud of her.
“I… How?” she asks softly. “We never caught the attacker. It’s a long story and… I shouldn’t be seen here with you. Can we meet somewhere else, maybe tomorrow?” I ask, swallowing as I try not to look at her tempting, glossy lips.
“Meet? You want to meet now? No. Tell me what happened to Valerie. I need to meet her. I need to, I’m an awful friend,” she whispers the end part as she turns her head away.
“No. I should have tried harder to get the message through to you. Look, here’s Jai’s number. He moved to Valerie’s mother’s original pack with the Scotts’ after it happened. Call him, and he’ll tell you the rest of the details and give you the full address,” I say, taking out my own business. card and adding Jai’s number to the bottom. I can’t risk being seen with her, just in case.
She reaches for the card, her fingertips brushing my finger as she takes it. There’s no mate bond, but the tingles of her touch rush through me, strong. My eyes flicker silver for a second before she turns away from me.
“Thank you,” she says, turning her back to me and reaching for the door handle. I hate that she has to leave. Why can’t this moment last longer?
“Zaia,”
She pauses but doesn’t turn back to me, waiting for me to speak. “How are my pups?” I ask quietly. Her heart thuds, but instead of replying, she pulls open the door and steps out.
My own heart squeezes but I don’t fight it. I can’t risk us being seen together. Even if I’m getting closer to learning who they are, I can’t ruin it all when I’ve come so far…
longer, Zaia… Then I’ll come for
“Zaia?”
Zaia asks, her voice sounding far warmer than it was when she spoke
Cara, I stay hidden. Dad had asked me to
rumours are colourful, but I’m happy. Truly. How are you?” Zaia asks her, not missing a beat and clearly not fazed by
I narrow my eyes.
I exhale slowly, hearing the sound of heels. ” Oh, Zaia! You haven’t seen Sebastian,
“No.” Zaia’s reply comes.
I didn’t mean to be insensitive.” Cara apologises. “I’ve just been looking for him. He left the table
thank you, we will… I’m sorry.” Cara
not worth crying over. I’ve moved on.” Zaia’s words sting but I can’t blame
“Congratulations.”
you. Send
Cara mutter as she walks down the corridor and I take the
I walk down the hall, returning to our private room and walking over to our table where the client is waiting with his wife. She is the only reason I agreed to
do apologise for the delay. Now where were
I did. And no matter how hard I try, I’m unable to remove
her again after all
is sealed. We
the break!” Cara says, about to hold on to my arm when I move it away, giving her a cold
She blushes,
You know I saw Zaia earlier…” she mutters, fiddling with
empty, considering the time, though it’s understandable. The gushing sound of the large
keys and we get in and I put
I’m about to reply, telling her the car has air conditioning when Zaia’s voice reaches me. “Atticus! What are
turning my head sharply towards the large fountain at the centre of the front lawn. Her voice is full of surprise and amusement. A flash of irritation and jealousy rushes through
to still be a part of her life. Especially to the point that
silently turn to look in that direction. What I see is not something I was expecting. Atticus is down on one knee in front of
a big step… but I want to ask you… will you, my beautiful, feisty
I turn my gaze ahead, sliding the
So she’s moved on….
knew the risk of it happening
I drop
looking down at Atticus fucking replaying in my mind. My eyes flash with
he was looking up at her… I clench the steering wheel, my eyes flashing, and I get out. No, I’m not losing her.
make my way up to the mansion and step inside, loosening my tie and head up the stairs only for Mom
“Sebastian!”
She’s awake…
“Hmm?”
“Come here!”
cuddled on the sofa. Mom has a blanket over her, her head resting on
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FeT45M6EV+U6f7TGme6HDFfhbhaFM4So+lH5XQG2+S6YSCjxNVgXlqOYidiE9dhSOHcd5JPSP6phk6klSt4qNsIcCV8RNNAJWXdH5oO9AwZN7DzcUKC0S2UvL276Xo/PwNsC8f3ZPQqtFblTvw+0lyD4m/rahP6O1cQbODjGQkWbGu/S652YhWY5/D0iQPPkHiSNfZ8Pq9V/WTQ6xaFg66Ez9AlUc87THmJtWoOKpo/5R1v4wJZLxR3JQkJZmA3+SgF7F3HMK/z7iTHHIjZiMdeADYNhNt4V651zU50NaLwuFss32Cu7O+M4IJabOfD/zptpscp6XNaKFRDbih4Srrh2Mk0Zjsy7fZCYMW0QGE6zF+W0xXp1ljU8zzJiOf6HcdmnuXfJJ2aVXsYEves1QMtQOV9fpmJaoFYs4dH6IRfwVN5mrJBLFw7FWwAkvQ/7ATDEm1ZVafVE0PDF9yKB7StlAfThN1QQt569X0eRiZVeYB+75mMB9cq6R7DHQZt3fgJY9jPhJY063g4dZASa6P7bJ8U6WQj6e2OIUdLs3C2A3TD0sa/Mak6mYddMSKidc+o9uvngVAyWaXMOjqKbt5vaAww+NrVpfHrjSnQjXk5GpM7kDXMU5iZ7rXWOyA6EDMktBIWD82x9yPPdiC0kKN+BLMjo3hOlxtj9APVl5Kj8J9sXILCIcGTwMU1bvkBIjhLn4hXvO8WtITqQi2jl3jGWW/kmLdyPuD5j2kgxeN3RqK8PJAMNn3vY/jYtVJTyMfpRzyRN3kYCFx6orkCjwwuicFd2JH2NVFbZ+bpi0mWtpAF6zfZ9Rs6HepgqNxFEEXkeRYwzBg3MNsN82q+LbysTevGe8QV/f8FRS7yAs0TWVokV+WML40uG0+JaMerRjNC0q9rB5QLoKjk3k5mI4CRblapIK+aGxVu6yMBAhNSbXU9Dmr2Rd/LgKxXsDdqTxTLmP4oZ00RBeKpxTfWUvuTn4wVKQO4=
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