Page 26 of Darkest Deception

My gaze is on the starry night above me, watching the slow movement of the clouds making their way to cover the glow of the crescent moon.

“You and Darci…” She trails off.

I huff out a laugh. “I will do everything in my power to get that slimy shit away from me. You think I’ll tie myself to a playboy like him who has probably fucked half of London? No way.”

Talia laughs out loud, then quickly covers her mouth with her hand. Her wide eyes make me smile.

“Stop trying to act like a lady when you snort when you laugh.” I poke her.

She frowns at me, crossing her arms. “And you, miss, are acting like you will find a gentleman with this little attitude you always have. Have you ever been nice to anyone?”

Helia’s image flashes in my mind.

“Oh my God! What was that look?”

I blink, confused.

Her brown curls bounce as she shuffles over to me. “That look! Ambrose, did someone just come to your mind? Who is he? Do I know him? Is he inside? Who is it? Tell me,” she pleads, her big brown eyes wide.

“Stop. There is no one. And for your information, the last time my father decided to marry me off, the man requested Aurora instead of me at the last minute. You know I am the last person who wants to get married; not with what I am, the way I am.”

Talia bites her lips, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

She turns and looks up at the sky. After a few quiet moments, she says, “You know, sometimes I wish—no, I dream—of marrying someone, anyone, who isn’t a part of this whole… this… society, part of the elite. I can’t imagine myself marrying someone who is so greedy, so addicted to money. I just… He would never put me first, you know?”

I nod and move my gaze to the bushes in front of me. Something moves in the corner of my eye, and I turn to look to my right. Someone smoking against the wall farther down the building. The flame of a lighter flares to life, and my heart explodes in a pounding frenzy.

That… that stance.

It cannot be.

That note was just for the sake of it. Right?

“I think you, on the other hand, you may have a little bit of a hard time, but you’ll find yourself falling for someone who can easily handle your little mood swings; someone who sees you, who sees the struggles you hide, even from me.”

Memories of Helia countering my arguments come to mind. Then the image of the hooded figure takes centre stage.

“I know everyone in the building behind us, but no one in there will work for what we want, what we need, we might have to fight against the strongest forces in London to get what we want,” Talia comments with a sigh.

“Your sister married Mr Cainn, but I saw her, saw the newspapers and articles… She looks so happy, looking up at her husband with such love, such affection, and his eyes that are always on her.” She sighs dreamily, but my attention is still stuck on the smoking figure.

My throat tightens, my mouth opening and closing, unsure if I should tell Talia.

“I guess she lucked out to be tied to such a powerful man who has proven me a little wrong. The picture of him on his knees for her that leaked? I never thought love like that existed. Deep, beautiful love…”

He blows a puff out, drops the cigarette onto the ground, then looks up, as if aware that I’m watching him.

“Ambrose? Are you listening?”

He shakes his head once, then turns around and disappears around the far corner. Only then do I finally let myself breathe. The way he walks with such ease makes my stomach twist. His height and broad shoulders make my heart drum loudly.

“Ambrose?” Talia shakes my shoulder.

“Huh?” I blink and focus on her.

She looks behind me. “What is it? Did you see someone?”

I shake my head. “I thought I saw someone, but it’s nothing. Let’s head back inside before my mom realises that I’m missing.”

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