Page 20 of Trial of Deceit

“Mi will come look fi yu again.”

“Promise?”Acacia begged, her desperation filling the seconds it took Raven to reply.

“I promise, Acacia.”

Jediah lit the end of his cigar while he watched them reluctantly pull away from each other.Raven forced a smile at Jediah, then took slow steps toward the vehicle.

Her bodyguard cut the conversation with Dimitri short, so he could open the door.He placed his hand on Raven’s back.Her eyes widened, and she stiffened.She quickly shrugged him off and entered the vehicle.

Jediah looked down at Acacia, who stood beside him.Acacia’s brows crinkled as she watched the door close behind Raven.

“Does your bodyguard touch you like that?”Jediah asked.

Acacia frantically shook her head while craning her neck to look at him.“No,” she stated firmly.

“Good.”Jediah began walking away.

“Wait,” Acacia rushed out, and Jediah paused.“Yu hungry?There’s food left over from—”

“No,” Jediah said, about to continue walking when quick, heavy footsteps came from behind him.He looked over his shoulder to see Acacia stomping toward the kitchen while dragging the back of her hand across her face.

Dimitri shook his head as he entered the house and closed the door.“Yu realize she just a try mek yu like her, right?”

“Don’ piss mi off, Dimitri,” Jediah hissed with a sneer, causing Dimitri to chuckle.The sound irked him.“Yu talk to her from day?”Jediah asked, and Dimitri went grim.Jediah faced his confidante, giving the older man a hard stare.“Go do it right now.Mi know yu swear fi protect mi, but yu caan’ do it if yu don’ protect yuself.”

“Mi will do it tomorrow,” Dimitri promised and took quick strides away before Jediah could say anything else.

Jediah watched Dimitri disappear before he followed after Acacia.She was in the kitchen, putting the leftovers into storage containers.Acacia didn’t glance at him.Jediah hated to admit that it gutted him.

He cleared his throat while resting the cigar in the ashtray on the counter.“I bought you a mini pig…”

Acacia’s head snapped up.Her eyes, wide with surprise, brightened.“Really?!”

“Yes.It’s outside in the car.”

Acacia squealed.She ran toward Jediah, a smile on her face as she threw her arms around him.He stiffened as she gave him a quick, tight hug.“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome,” Jediah muttered as his heart slammed hard against his chest.

Acacia sucked in a breath.She released him and cupped her mouth while her eyes widened.Embarrassment replaced her excitement as she rushed out, “I’m sor—”

“Go get the pig so Cameron can go home,” he ordered, and she nodded.“If I ever see pig shit in my house, I will kill the pig and make you eat it.”

“That won’t happen.I promise!”Acacia announced before running away.“Barrel, I’m coming for you!”

Not surprised that she’d already chosen a name for the animal, Jediah shook his head before going to the wing he loathed visiting.Jazz music drifting from a record player welcomed him as he pushed open the ajar door.He stepped inside the room and narrowed his eyes on the person sitting before the window that overlooked the back of the estate.

“Bryony told me your feelings about your engagement to Acacia,” came a masculine, mechanical voice.A lowwhirstemmed from the chair as it swiveled to face Jediah.

Jediah placed his arms behind him as he looked at Kayon.“The Valcourts are trying to move in.”

Kayon stared at Jediah before moving his good hand along the joystick.Seconds later, a voice came from the speaker attached to the high-tech wheelchair.“We are talking about my arrangement with the Majors.”

“Me a go walk outta the room if yu bring up that family again.”

Kayon grunted.“You can’t walk out when I’m speaking to you.”

Jediah took one step backward, his brow raising.“Wa you a go do?Run mi down?”

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