Page 73 of Honeythorn
Milan shook his head sadly. “No—it is simply that, for the first time in his life, he has a husband he can actually rely on, and not a cheat and a coward bonded to him. I find it curious that you are so eager to see him when he can’t be bothered to spend a moment in your presence,” Milan drawled.
“Look here,” Jack started, moving to walk towards Milan.
Milan took the opportunity to take out his long-barrelled gun and shoot at the front of the crawler, making sure not to hit the driver. He only skimmed the edge of the crawler’s head, as Milan had intended, but Jack reared back, screaming as if he had been the one shot.
“Lunatic! I will have you arrested for this,” Jack growled. Milan shrugged.
“Try to prove it.”
“I have a witness,” Jack said, pointing at the driver. She took the opportunity to lean out of the window.
“I’m sorry, Mister. I had my eyes closed for the past five minutes. I’ve not seen a thing.”
Jack glowered at each of them in turn before pointing a finger at Milan. “Fine. But know this—I will get what I am owed.” He said, stomping back into the crawler.
“Oh, that I do not doubt,” Milan called out, giving them a cheery wave as they turned around and left.
Well. That had felt fantastic.
When Milan returned to the manor, Raphael looked far from happy. He was shaking as he pulled Milan into a tight embrace.
“You are mad,” Raphael whispered.
“And don’t forget it,” Milan said, pulling back to give Raphael a fierce kiss. “Do you understand now? He will not get to you. He will not get tous.”
Raphael closed his eyes. They stood there, just a breath apart. “I did not know I was alone until I met you,” he said softly.
“And you won’t ever be again,” Milan said.
That was a promise he’d fight tooth and nail to keep.
**********
Milan wondered what else could possibly be happening when Katerina appeared at the manor without sending a message first.
“I’m sorry to arrive unannounced, I know you must be preoccupied with other things.”
“Nonsense, Katerina. It’s a relief to see you, with everything that’s going on.”
Katerina gave him a tight smile. “Is Lord Raphael around?”
Milan raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Yes. Why?”
“I’ve got a little bit of news. Shall we all sit down somewhere?”
“I’ll call him and have some tea brought into the den—you know where it is. Make yourself at home.”
“I always do.”
Raphael looked trepidatious when Milan relayed the news of Katerina’s arrival but, despite how drained he obviously was, agreed to go downstairs with Milan.
“Miss Rosewood. A pleasure,” Raphael greeted.
“Yes—it’s good to see you too,” she replied and even sounded sincere. Milan gave her a grateful look before they all sat down.
“So,” Milan started as he poured tea for each of them. “I’m going to take a wild guess that this has something to do with Jack and the way he’s been postponing the meeting with the solicitor as if he’s playing a game of cat and mouse.”
It had been utterly exhausting to prepare mentally for a meeting with Jack only to have a flimsy excuse sent to them about him not being able to attend. He had been doing it for two weeks, and the toll was obvious in the lines of Raphael’s face.
