“I’ll call you back.” My eyes refused to leave Kiara, who was now tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, completely unaware of the chaos she was causing in my head.
“Sir, Mr. Bellington—” Justin’s voice cut in sharply, trying to pull me back into the conversation.
“Mr. Bellington?” I replied distractedly, “What about him?”
“He’s scheduled another meeting with you tomorrow,” Justin informed me, but my mind was already elsewhere, fixated on a million things that weren’t this conversation.
“No meetings yet. I need to visit the property first.”
“I’ll take care of it, Sir,” he replied quickly.
I was just about to refocus when a knock sounded at the car window. I turned to see her standing there. “Hi…?”
“Hi,” I muttered, unlocking the doors. She slipped into the passenger seat.
As she settled in, I tried to collect myself for the two-hour drive ahead. “How were the mosquitoes?”
“You didn’t have to come with me, you know that, right?”
“Says who…”
She stared at me for a moment. “Have you considered professional help? You know, for that permanent scowl?”
“Why?”
“I think there might be some chemical damage in your brain,” she replied, her voice deadpan as her eyes stayed on the passing scenery. “You are…”
“Please continue,” I said, glancing at her briefly before returning my focus to the road. “I’m very much interested in knowing what’s wrong with me.”
“You’re grumpy. Over-handsome. Eyes like a hypnotist. You work too much and take dares way too seriously…” She paused to take a dramatic breath as if letting all of that out had been exhausting.
I bit the inside of my cheek, fighting to keep the smile from creeping onto my face. “Please, feel free to go on…”
“I don’t need you to babysit me from now on. I can take care of myself,” she said, throwing her hands up before leaning back against the headrest and closing her eyes.
Why the hell am I smiling like an idiot right now?
____________
“Did I sleep the whole way?” Kiara’s sleepy voice broke through my thoughts, pulling my attention to her as her eyes met mine.
“Yeah… You might want to check your phone. Someone’s been calling you non-stop,” I replied, glancing at the map as Inavigated the final few turns.
“Thanks for the ride!” she said, disappearing toward Roy’s mansion. I handed the keys to the valet, trying—and failing—to clear my head.
I wasn’t in the mood to review the Beaufort property today, but Dad was right—I couldn’t delay this any longer. Today was the day to finally analyze the blueprints of the building that had been stuck for six months. It wasn’t procrastination—it was exhaustion. My mind was too fried to focus on schematics or budgets right now.
Maybe a cold shower and a glass of whiskey would fix this mess.
Just as I turned to head inside, a scream pierced the air. My head snapped around—Kiara.
I caught sight of her bolting out of Roy’s mansion, her face pale with terror. The security team was already scrambling, voices barking into radios, but my feet moved before I could think. “Kiara!” I shouted as her trembling body collapsed into my arms. She was shaking like a leaf, her eyes wide with panic, and her breath came in ragged gasps. “There’s… there’s someone…” she panted, barely managing the words.
“Where?” I signaled the security team to surround the building with a quick wave of my hand.
“Inside… there are people… they are…” she trailed off, gasping for air, unable to finish her sentence.
“Did they hurt you?” I asked, holding her tighter as her knees seemed to give out beneath her. She shook her head faintly. Her eyes shut, as if trying to block out the memory, and her forehead came to rest against my shoulder.
