Page 7 of Ruin
We’d had a rather heated conversation earlier this morning when I’d discovered Lily’s presence. I’d snapped at Imogen when I’d learned she’d known about Daniel’s secret guest and not said anything to me. Given that I have never once snapped at Imogen in the two years since she’d come to work for us, it had been something of a shock to both of us.
And a stark reminder that Lily is still my fucking kryptonite.
“Yes. So we need somewhere for her to stay.”
Imogen is quiet for a moment. “Daniella’s old suite is still being renovated. There’s been some hold up to do with the wiring or something. We don’t really have anywhere else. Unless you want me to get them to do something with one of the rooms downstairs?”
I grimace. “No. That definitely won’t be appropriate. Not for Lily.”
“Ah, so mystery woman actually has a name. Interesting.”
“Of course she has a name, Immy,” I say, exasperated.
I can tell she’s still pissed off about our exchange this morning and know we’ll need to have a conversation about it. But it won’t be happening while I’m standing in the middle of the business class lounge of the Sydney airport.
“You know I hate it when you call me that,” she snaps, and I smirk.
“Well, when you give me attitude and I’m not there to correct it, you get called Immy. Deal with it.” I shift the tone of my voice, allowing the dominance to come through. “Or would you prefer Miss Delphine?”
She inhales sharply. “Don’t you fucking dare. Not when you’re not here to do anything about it and Cam is on fucking night shifts still.”
“Then behave. And ask Marcus to have the housekeepingstaff set up the office in my suite as a second bedroom. They can move the desk out into the main living area and put the pull out couch into storage. I’ll use our office until the other suite is available.”
“You.. Lily is going to stay in your suite?” Even hundreds of kilometres away, I can tell she’s stunned.
Everyone knows that my suite is my personal sanctuary, and I sigh, knowing I’m going to have to explain the situation to Imogen properly at some point.
“Yes. Temporarily.”
“Okay…” She leaves the word hanging, no doubt hoping I’ll elaborate.
But I’m impatient to get food into the woman who has wedged herself into the corner of our booth, hiding behind a curtain of her hair.
“Our flight is due in at eight. I’ll see you in the morning,” I reply.
“I can wait, if you need me?”
I do need her, as the stress of this day has lead to a lot of pent up energy. But with Lily now staying at Dark Desires, that’s going to make my usual habits a little harder to navigate.
Including when I fuck my director of operations as a mutually beneficial way to expel our pent up stress and frustrations.
“It can wait. Good night.”
We hang up, and I set about getting us some dinner. All the while wondering how I’m going to explain my lifestyle to the woman currently hiding from shadows and terrified of the ghosts of her past.
3
YOU ARE NOT AN INCONVENIENCE
LILY
My first flightwas a rather interesting experience. I’ve only had movies and TV shows to compare it to, but I guess business class is different from the standard economy seats. Sebastian was clearly in his natural environment and appeared completely at ease. Meanwhile, I’d looked towards the squished seats further back, comparing their experience with my own, and wondering what it’s like to be forced to practically sit in the lap of your neighbour, who is most likely a complete stranger.
The joys of travelling with billionaires, I guess.
While my father, a high end property developer, wasn’t exactly poor, the DeLuca’s are the kind of wealthy that seems impossible. Joseph often tried to give the impression he was in the same league as them, but I’m sure his bank account pales in comparison… Not that I’d know - I was given no access to money, and especially not his bank accounts.
But knowing that he was jealous of the DeLuca brothers is something that has given me a little satisfaction.
