Page 149 of Darkest Deception

“You look like you should take your clothes off.” I wink at her.

“Helia!” She slaps me on the arm just as the door opens.

“Helia.”

We both turn towards the door to see Kamari, her curly hair big and frizzy in the heat today.

“I may find some nests in that hair. How many birds do you have in there?” I ask.

Ambrose pushes me away as she walks in front of Kamari, who greets her with a polite smile while glaring daggers at me over her shoulder.

“Ambrose, Aurora is waiting for you in the dining room. Go in.”

“Thank you. You look beautiful today,” Ambrose says.

“I think someone didn’t understand that being rude gets you kicked out,” Kamari comments as I walk past her.

“I was just making an observation about your hair.”

Kamari smiles tightly. “Sure. I suggest turning around and walking back the way you came.”

“Careful there. I might think you are jealous of my personality.” I grin at her.

She sighs and shakes her head. “Just get inside, Helia. You are like an annoying child.” She walks past me. Of course she would think that.

The dining room is an open plan of the kitchen and dining room combined, but what really captures my attention are the open sliding doors and the table outside in the garden. It’s decked out with sunflowers in the middle of the white tablecloth.

And everyone is wearing shades of blue and white.

Even Remo. His navy-blue dress shirt is tucked into white trousers. He’s wearing fucking sunglasses as he taps away on his phone.

Aurora is greeting Ambrose, looking very pregnant in her white dress that reaches her calves and white strappy heels. Her hair is down and curled.

My gaze scans the extensive garden, and I spot Ruel talking on his phone, under the tall, old tree that is shading the table. He’s wearing sky-blue trousers, a white t-shirt and sunglasses.

Was I supposed to wear sunglasses, too? What’s with this new trend?

I walk towards Aurora to greet her but catch Remo looking straight at me. I grin.

I raise my eyebrows playfully at him.

“Helia, thank you for coming. It’s a nice summer day, isn’t it?”

I nod, keeping an eye on Remo, who is walking over to me.

“Remo, Helia is here,” she says.

“I can see that,” he grumbles, keeping his eyes on me.

“Oh, hey,” Ruel says, then walks over to grab a glass of water.

“Why are you both looking at Ruel like that?” Aurora whispers.

I look at her, then at Remo, then back at her.

“Ask Remo.” I walk away towards Ambrose and drop into the seat next to her.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she says.

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