Page 81 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

‘Carmen...she’s gone. Owning the property is apparently too much of a commitment while she’s on tour.’

Even though she knew her brother was speaking, it felt as the sound had been sucked from the air and she barely made out his words...just snatched little pieces of his conversation.

‘Maria wants her name to remain on the sherry label, and in return she will gift you your home.’

‘What do you mean, she will “gift” me my home?’

Her voice was angry, mocking, and yet she could feel the sting of tears. It felt like acid raining down on her cheeks and it had nothing to do with money.

‘Carmen...’ Alejandro tried to comfort her. ‘Perhaps she knows we’re right and that it’s rightfully yours.’

‘Please don’t.’

She stared out at the night and knew her mother’s version of the story was one so many would believe—she was making a generous and magnanimous gesture, letting her daughter have the family home...

No. She’d left. Again.

It hurt no less that in her heart of hearts Carmen had always known she would.

‘Are you there?’ Alejandro asked.

‘Yes.’ She looked up at the stars. ‘Is Sebastián cross?’

‘Not with you. He’s worried. He’ll call soon and talk through your options.’

‘What options?’

‘You love the hacienda, the stables...’ He paused.

‘It was never about that.’

‘I know. We miss you, Carmen.’

‘I miss you all too.’

‘Come home,’ Alejandro said.

Right now, they were the only words that made sense.

‘Carmen?’ Alejandro said, and she turned and looked back at the ranch, and the man she had thought she might dare to trust. ‘Carmen?’ he said again, with concern.

‘I’m fine,’ Carmen told him. ‘I’m just never listening to my heart again.’

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

‘READYFORTHEFINAL?’Blake asked when she walked into his office just a couple of hours after she had decided her heart was closed for ever.

He was updating the huge screen with all the feeds and medications.

‘Blake,’ Carmen said, ‘could I have a word?’

‘Of course.’ He turned, and then blanched when he saw her red eyes. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘It’s a private matter.’ She took a breath. ‘I hate to let you down... I know I said I’d be here for longer, but...’

‘You’re leaving?’ He frowned. ‘Carmen?’

‘I can work today...but then I have to go.’

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