Page 16 of Betrayed in the Dark
Vin’s eyes narrow in on me. “We consider you a part of this family, Eli, which is not something that should be taken lightly. But I’ll ask you what I asked Madeleine.” He pauses before saying, “Did something happen between the two of you that should be brought to my attention before proceeding with this arrangement?”
I’ve never been more grateful for my military training than I am at this moment.
“No.” Confidence echoes in my words as I hold Vin’s gaze. One blink, and he’ll know I’m lying. “Nothing happened between us.”
Leo runs his fingers through his hair. “Then why the hell does she hate you so much?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
I wish I knew.
Maybe then I could fix everything between us.
But from the moment I landed back on U.S. soil, she’s despised me, wanting nothing to do with me.
And if I’m being honest, it fucking hurts.
Absent-mindedly, I rub a hand over my sternum. I’ve spent so much time trying to figure out what could have happened between the last time I saw her and my return, but nothing makes any goddamn sense to me.
“Promise me one thing, Eli.” Madeleine’s soft lips press against mine, her fingers tangling in my hair, pulling me closer toward her.
“Anything, Princess.”
“Promise me you won’t hurt me.” Her eyes soften as her body relaxes against mine. “When I love, I love with everything inme, and I don’t know if I could survive a broken heart.” She rests her head on my shoulder. “Don’t make me regret this.”
My arms tighten around her. “I’ll never hurt you, Madeleine, I promise. This is it. It’s you and me.” I brush my lips lightly over the top of her head. “But now I want you to promise me something in return.”
“What?”
“Promise you’ll wait for me.” Her eyes look up into mine. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone or where my next mission will take me. But if I know you’re here for me, it’ll keep me going. It’ll help push me through each day, knowing I’m that much closer to being with you.”
Tears blur her eyes, but a small smile tugs at her lips. “There’s no one else for me but you, Eli.” She kisses me one last time before saying, “I promise I’ll wait for you.”
Vin’s authoritative voice interrupts my memory. “Don’t make me regret this, Eli.” He scrapes a hand over his jaw, glancing at the ceiling before returning his gaze to me. “She’s everything to us, and I can’t risk her safety. Figure out what the fuck is going on with Alastor and keep our sister safe. That’s all I’m asking.”
“I won’t let you down.”
He glances at his watch. “I have to go. I have a meeting with the Hajdari family soon, but keep me informed on your meeting with Enzio.” He turns, making his way for the door.
Leo slips out of the ring and looks over his shoulder as he says, “I’ll see you tonight.”
Mauro holds his phone before me.
Let’s call it.
I grasp his shoulder and grin. “About fucking time.”
An hour later, I shower and pack the rest of my belongings from my cottage. I don’t have much, so it doesn’t take long.Just as I zip up my bag, I feel an inexplicable pull toward the nightstand. I glance at the drawer, my heart racing.
With cautious steps, I approach. An invisible tether pulls at my chest, growing tighter with each movement. Carefully, I reach inside and wrap my fingers around the small black box, holding it before me. As I open it for the first time in months, I’m hit with the familiar ache in my chest that accompanies every glimpse of its contents.
The pear-shaped diamond stands securely between six prongs, with a thin platinum band running beneath it and smaller diamonds spaced evenly around it.
It’s nothing extravagant—nothing that demands attention.
“Timeless” is the word the jeweler used to describe it.
Yet, it’s the simple, elegant design that reminds me of Madeleine, which is why I purchased it on the damn spot when I saw it.
