Page 20 of Golden Burn

‘Made of Stone’ - Matt Corby

“Could’ve been worse,” Ford assures me as we clean up the kitchen. “She could have actuallytriedto hurt you.”

Dom’s face is grim, disappointed. “She’s not going to be comfortable if you look at her like she’s the devil in this situation.”

“She is,” I mumble, unhappy with how the two of them are working against me.

“She isnot,and you know it.”

My shoulders drop, the tight coil in my stomach whenever Harriet is near unraveling like a yo-yo. “I see Gregory every time she looks at me. I thought I had better control over it,” I admit. Dom’s expression softens.

Ford finishes putting the dishes back in the cupboards and walks over to my side. “We know. We get it. But unfortunately, you’re going to have to find a way.”

“The only way this relationship can be fostered is through communication,” Dom says.

“I’m not telling her.”

Dom watches me, thinking. “I know. At least, not yet.”

“I’ll talk to her. But I’m not talking about that.”

“Fine. We’ll see you in the morning. Call me if there are any issues.” Ford grabs the pile of coats near the door, slips his on, then helps Dom to put on the other. His hands linger near Dom’s shoulders, forcing the controlled lawyer’s lips to twitch.

“The cameras are on, and the alerts have been linked to all our phones,” Dom informs me.

“Thanks. See you tomorrow.”

Dom and Ford open the front doorway and exit down the stairs. I feel the loss of their presence instantly. It worsens when the darkness begins to swallow them, and in the last remnants of light, I see Ford reach for Dom’s hand.

They need a break. Some time away from me.

Unfortunately, I need them now more than ever. Because this kidnapping and keeping business is fucking ruining my head.

“How is she faring?” Cerbera asks, sounding downright excited.

My jaw hardens, teeth practically grinding. It’s too early in the morning for this type of conversation. “Like anyone would.”Angry, scared, like a chimpanzee trapped in a cage.

“When’s the wedding taking place?” I despise the tone of his voice; the authority he assumes he has that leaks through the metal in my hand.

“Less than a month.”

“My family would be very excited to host it.”

“I’m sure.”Fuck that.

“I’ll send you some options. It would reflect greatly on the Bolt group if the wedding took place in Harriet’s ancestors’ country.” I hate even more how her name sounds in his mouth. His detachment from her makes it sound like she’s an object in his eyes. I suppose I haven’t treated her any better. He continues, “Loyalty is bought through family, you know.”

“No, it’s not.” I sit up in the chair, my patience at its wit’s end. “Send me the details and I’ll let you know if they are suitable. But just to clarify, since it’s clear you can’t read, the wedding destination was never a part of the contract.”

Cerbera chuckles, amused. “I know, Odin. I know.” My hands form fists at the nickname Gregory Lombardo created to taunt me. The one that I accepted as my own when my real name made me feel like a fraud, a ghost. A nickname which would never exist if the fucking Lombardos didn’t. “I’m simply giving you an option that would be silly to refuse.”

“We’ll see.”

“I hope you enjoyed your Indian,” Cerbera says, his voice suddenly dropping an octave.

My chest hollows, my blood turns ice cold. He’s been following us.I knew it.

He laughs softly, making me see red. I hang up the phone and miraculously resist the temptation to throw it across the room.We have to be more careful. More cameras. More travel. Keep moving.

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