Page 24 of Isle of Beauty

My throat constricts again, eyes glistening but I don’t let tears fall.

Nothing can change what happens now.

I knew this place, this stage of my life was temporary. I was always meant to marry for power, to help our family empire grow. I accepted that since I was thirteen, preparing my heart to be strong and my will even stronger. So why do I feel like I’m about to crumble if one simple tear falls on my face?

If I do, by the time I land on the island, my father won’t recognise my puffy face and my husband - no, fiancé - will reject my emotional ass. Not that I’d care. I need Garcia’s business but he needs me more.

My phone rings and I pick up without looking who’s calling.

“Lana, where are you at?” Igor’s voice makes me want to bang my head on the wall.

“Where I’m supposed to be. Where the fuck are you?”

“At the airport, with the pilot.” He hesitates. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I hang up without ceremony then take a deep inhale and straighten my shoulders back.

Everything’s happening as it should, as I planned.

When I get to the airport, I climb the metallic stairs to the jet. The clicking sounds of my heels reverberate in the hollow of my heart.

I plop down to my seat, opening my computer to review our shipments for next week, just before the wedding.

The flight to Kalliste only takes three hours. Three hours of Giulia and Igor sending me worried glances.

“You two can stop gawking like dead fishes. I’m fine.”

“Babe, you don’t look fine.”

“Not everyone can fuck without emotion, G,” I snap. It’s a fucking low blow, the hurt registering on her face has shame blooming in my chest. “I’m sorry. I’m just tired. I’ll take a short nap at the back.”

She stops me with a hand around my wrist, eyes shining with affection. “You’re not alone.”

“By this time next week, I will be.”

We land at Sant Armellu airport around lunchtime. Everyone’s waiting for us at my father’s house but for my best friend.

Julian gathers me in his arms in a tight squeeze and I can’t help but droop in his arms. “Welcome back.” He smells like the dry forestland of Kalliste’s mountains and home and I breathe him in.

Concern flashes behind the whisky colour of my best friend’s eyes that remind me too much of someone I just lost. I avert my gaze and let him pull me to his car to reunite with our families.

I don’t know it yet but the night I just had and the man I just left will come back to haunt me.

NINE

PIERCE

ALONE AGAIN

Iknow I’m alone before I even open my eyes, as if my body knows what my brain hasn’t registered yet. The other side of the bed is cold.

I slowly open my eyes, hoping that the dread in my lungs is just my paranoia talking.

“Lana?” I call out for her but only silence answers.

I get out of bed, rushing to the bathroom then the living room, knowing I’ll find it empty.

She’s gone.

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