Page 25 of Cruel Longing

I closed my eyes, unwilling to accept that I was as ruthless and cruel as the man who raised me. I didn’t want to be capableof the things he was. But how else would I survive if I didn’t somehow learn to harden my heart?

“Now, sit so we can finish breakfast together.”

I stood, paralyzed by what had just happened. It was like someone else moved my legs for me. I took one step and then another until I was seated.

“I do need another coffee cup. Mishaps.” He kicked a chunk of the broken mug away from his foot.

“I’ll get another one,” I volunteered, bolting before he could order me to stay put. I ran inside the mansion, but instead of bursting into the kitchen, I darted into the hallway powder room and slammed the door behind me.

I sank to the floor, tucking my knees against my chest. I couldn’t cry. I told myself I could sit for a little while as long as I didn’t cry.

Fourteen

AMARA

PRESENT DAY

Iread the headline on my phone, but I struggled to reconcile the news story was about my casino project. The one Luka was trying to destroy. I turned the screen over on my desk. I couldn’t look at it again. It also hid the texts and calls from Luka. I had no plans to answer any of them. He got what he wanted. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of hearing the pain in my voice.

“Good morning,” Barbara marched into my office. She tossed her briefcase in an open chair and poured a cup of coffee.

“I don’t think we see the morning the same way.” How did she smile under these circumstances? Luka had created a political action committee to block my casino license. Was there any truth between us last night?

“It’s a setback. Only a setback. Just as I explained to you on the phone an hour ago.” She sipped her coffee. “I have a meeting set up with a new lobbyist at two today.” I appreciated that she didn’t pry about where I had been when we spoke.

She didn’t know about the emotional grenade the chain of events from the Crescent Towers had set off. This wasn’t solely about losing the biggest deal of my career, it was about being stabbed in the back by the one person I trusted.

“Oh?” I raised my eyebrows. “Who is the new lobbyist?”

“She has connections to both Senators Merritt and Hyde. She’s been recommended by a friend.”

I turned my back on my attorney. Even from this distance, I could see the crane hovering next to the Crescent Towers construction site from my window. I could also pick out the Vieux Carre from my office. They were in different directions.

“Amara?”

“Hmm?”

“I was trying to tell you about Victoria Banks. The new lobbyist.”

I peered closely at the boutique hotel as if I could make out an athletic build in an expensive suit exiting the front lobby. I wondered if Luka had found my note. Did he realize I had left the necklace with it? Was he looking for me? Or did things go according to plan? My chest tightened with the realization that the entire night together was more than likely a setup. The first battle point went to him, but he wasn’t going to win the war.

I had said and done things last night that exposed the cracks in my armor. It was okay. I had more armor lying around.

“Amara.” Barbara sounded testy.

I spun on my heels. “Get Victoria in here. I want in on the meeting.”

“It’s at two. I’ll tell her?—”

“No,” I corrected her. “Now. Get her in here now.”

“But—”

My eyes were as cutting as my voice. Barbara backtracked her steps. “All right. I’ll see if she can rearrange her morning.”

“Good. And send Enzo in for me on your way out.”

Within a matter of minutes, my assistant stepped inside the glass doors.

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