Page 9 of Trial of Deceit

“Yu caan’ keep put this off,” said Bryony, one of the only persons bold enough to intrude into his space.“Kayon—”

“Don’t tell me about Kayon,” Jediah hissed, keeping his back to Bryony while his fists tightened at his sides.

“Mi will talk to yu ’bout Kayon if mi want to!And Acacia a yu fiancée, Jediah!”

“Anarrangedfiancée,” Jediah corrected, spinning around.He glared at Bryony.“Mi don’ know the gyal from nuh weh and yu wan’ mi cuddle and f—”

Bryony slapped him across his face.She breathed heavily as she pulled her hand back to her side.“You a go respect her, Jediah.Is not ask me a ask or beg.Acacia Majors will soon be a Richardson.She’s been reserved for you all these years, and you will treat her like she’s part of this family.”

Jediah’s glare deepened while his jaw continued to throb.All he’d wanted to do was have a quick shower, but Bryony insisted on antagonizing him.“Didn’t she just turn eighteen?Anybody who’s younger than my sister can’t be my wife.You don’t see how that’s fu— sheg up, Miss B?Send her back to where she came from.”

“Kayon—”

Jediah exhaled a heavy breath.He was about to walk away when Bryony spoke again.

“Acacia wants a pet.”

“How does that affect me?”

“She wants a mini pig…”

Jediah laughed.“You’re joking?”he asked, and Bryony shook her head.His laughter faded and he pursed his lips for a moment before raising his brow.“Can it be trained?”

Bryony shrugged.“Mi don’ sure, but she been doing research ’bout it and seem pretty excited.She’s been trying to ask you about it, but you keep pushing her away.”

Jediah pursed his lips at Bryony’s reprimand, then stepped past her.He exited the room and dismounted the stairs, pausing as he saw Acacia idling by the bottom of the staircase.She held her head low after their gaze met and played with her fingers.His jaw clenched as he walked past her, taking long strides toward the front door.

“Jediah,” Acacia called out in her low voice.

He stopped, but he didn’t turn to face her.He couldn’t stand seeing how meek Acacia was.

“Can I visit my sister?”she asked.

“You don’t need my permission.”

“But—” she started, then paused as he took a step forward before stopping.

He turned to face her.He kept his eyes on her youthful face, her kind eyes staring into his hardened ones.“But what?”

“Nothing,” she said, her words rushing out.“I wanted her to come here, but her husband said no.”

“Why?”he asked.His eyes narrowed on her as she gulped.“And you expect to go there instead?No.You can’t go.”

A loud huff came from the top of the staircase.Jediah looked in that direction to see Bryony shaking her head, a displeased frown on her face.Jediah’s gaze darted back to Acacia.Her head was down, her shoulders slumped from defeat.He said nothing as he turned around and continued his walk until he was outside.

The estate had cameras and armed guards everywhere.The land spanned as far as the eyes could see.A large stretch of green lawn was before him, with a two way circular driveway that was a three minute drive from the main gate.The closest neighbor was a fifteen minute drive away.

“Yu caan’ done bathe already,” Cameron mused, his eyes widening.

“A no everybody tek forever fi bathe like you,” Dimitri said, making Elias chuckle.

“Bye, Bryony,” Elias yelled as Jediah approached the car.

Jediah didn’t look back.He was sure Bryony was waving by the door.

“Bye, dear!Kiss Howie fi mi,” Bryony said as Jediah entered the vehicle.

Cameron took the steering wheel while Elias sat in the passenger seat.Jediah and Dimitri sat in the back.Jediah stopped at one of his other houses to shower before they continued the journey.After an almost two hour drive and a security check, Jediah was seated before Isley Pinnock’s desk.

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