Page 41 of Promise Never

I look at the bathroom. It’s dark inside.

Where is she?

Going out the backdoor, I squint while steering myeyes around the low-lit yard.

I spot my guards in various corners.

My heart stutters when I discern Tiana just beforeshe disappears among the trees.

The Cavalli event is tomorrow night. I’ll use thatas an excuse for seeking her out, say that I wanted to make sure she hadn’tchanged her mind.

AndsoI go after her.Because apparently, there’s nothing better than making things harder formyself.

17

It’s another night of tossing and turning in beddue to my endless thoughts of Alessandro.

Shutting down my attraction towards him is so damnhard. No matter how I try to focus on my sister and what Luca did to her, anintense thirst continues to trickle in and submerge me.

And what’s up with him, anyway?

Ever since that moment in the gym, he’s beenscarce. I haven’t seen him in three days, and I can’t believe how awful thatfeels. I shouldn’t even be feeling this way.

Perhaps this walk around the property might tireme so I can finally get some sleep.

With the throngs of trees splayed at the back thatblock the view in the daytime, I had no idea there was more land until makingout a shed and a pond, illuminated with the garden lamps surrounding it.

“Damn,” I murmur in awe. The property truly isenormous. Considering it’s passed down in Sofia’s family, I understand why shewanted to return.

Stopping at the fishpond, I stare at the water fora moment before looking around. I notice guards at different positions. Nonebother with me, focusing on their duty.

Not much yard is left to wander from here, so Ilinger in the spot. Within seconds, I start to feel attacked by that carnallonging for a man I shouldn’t want.

“Not him,” I groan, massaging my temples. I’velost count of the number of times I’ve tried telling myself that.

Movement at my back catches my ears.

Thinking it’s a guard, I pivot to explain that I’monly strolling. The words freeze on my tongue when Alessandro emerges from theshadows.

Shit. Did he hear me?

Even if he did, there’s no way to know if—

“Notme?” he rasps, and my body tenses up.“What about me?” He draws closer, and the scent of alcohol fills my nostrils.

“I was talking to myself,” I rush out. “It wasn’tabout you.”

“Hm.” Alessandro moves to my side, staring at thepond.

Missing him for the past three days overwhelms me,and before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “How come you haven’t come to see mein three days? I even went to the gym, but you were never there.”

He shifts, so he’s facing me. “You sound likeyou’re mad at me. Did you miss me?”

“Pfft.” Ifoldmy armsand act blasé. “You wish. I only meant that… I was waiting for an update onZeno.”

He rumbles under his breath before telling me,“There’s nothing new. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

I’m not disappointed.

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