Page 103 of Promised Love

“He’s got an urgent case that sounded more dangerous than providing security for our wedding.” Maya sounds serious. “You don’t know about it?”

“I…I didn’t get a chance to talk to him this morning.” My heart palpitates in worry. What’s happening and why?

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll tell you everything in detail.”

By the time the call ends with Maya, my whole body is clammy, as if I’m wearing dozens of sweaters in the blazing summer heat.

“What did she say?” Chiara asks while I try Lukas’ number on repeat.

“That Lukas is taking some high-profile dangerous case.” I shake my head, unable to understand what happened in less than twelve hours while I was asleep. “He won’t be available at the inn.”

“Auttie?” Chiara holds my hand, stopping me as I try to call him one more time. “I know you’re upset, but think for a second. It can happen, right? Lukas is part owner of Kings Security, isn’t he?”

I nod and my body sags against the couch, but my stomach remains in knots. This is too much of a coincidence.

My fingers dig into my forehead as I try to think back to the previous days. So many times when I thought there was something big building between us, Lukas pulled back.

We shared a moment so raw, so primal, in the forest. The feeling stayed when he pinned me against the door, but once he was back from the shower, it was like nothing had happened between us.

Similar things happened when he showed me the letters and all the gifts he’s preserved over the years. But the next morning, he didn’t mention anything.

Is Lukas still against the idea of our marriage because it was arranged by our family? Or is it my age? Or the fact that he’s known me since I was sixteen?

But doesn’t he know that makes him and this so special? He has been in my life for so long. How many couples can say that?

35

AUTUMN

My whole day goes by in discussions with Chiara, Suzie, and our in-house decorating team.

Every time the door to my office swings open, my heartbeat accelerates, expecting Lukas to step inside, his aviators hiding his deep blue eyes, leather jacket hanging over his broad shoulders, black denim jeans that accentuate his strong thighs, and those manly boots that are meant to crush things. But that doesn’t happen.

It’s six in the evening when I get a call from an unknown number. I pick it up with a quivering stomach. “H-hello.”

“Hi, Autumn.” An excited female voice greets me. “It’s Vienna. I just wanted to let you know I’ll be at the inn tomorrow to meet Suzie, and we’ll go over the final plans once more. I’m also playing with some custom food garnishing ideas for Maddy. I’ll show them to you and your team.”

“That sounds nice. Thank you so much, Vienna.”

“No problem.” I sense a hint of hesitation in Vienna’s voice when she asks, “I have one more question if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.”

“Lukas canceled the invitation to Zane’s sister-in-law’s Friday night dinner party because he’s working on some high-risk, high-profile case.” She pauses as if hesitating.

“You can ask me anything, Vi,” I assure her, because at this moment she seems to know more about my husband than me.

“I just wanted to know if Lukas is fit enough…after the injury, you know? Zane won’t say it, but I know he worries about Lukas a lot.” I can hear the tightness growing in her voice. Her worries have found an escape route through the phone and into my heart. “But I’m sure if there was any risk, you wouldn’t have let him take the case. We are really happy that Lukas has you in his life.”

My whole world spins as I end the call.

New anxieties claw at my chest. Until now, I didn’t even think about Lukas’ injuries or the accident that brought him back into my life.

I grab my phone and dial his number once more. When it rings, relief skids through my whole body, and I can’t hold back my sob when his baritone voice filters from the other side, skimming my ears. “Autumn.”

I take a breath and then one more. “Lukas,” I whisper. “You left?” My words come out in a gasp.

“I’m needed here. There’s a case Connor needs my help on.”

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