She giggled softly. “I think you’ve ruined your sleep by napping here all afternoon.”
Even though she watched me with impatience and expectation, I felt nothing from her but love. Unconditional acceptance.
I sat back contentedly.
Finally, I could breathe again.
Nila tangled me into knots, drove flames through my icicle-ridden heart, and forced me to confront parts of my personality I wished weredead. But Jasmine...she soothed me. She granted me strength in her silence and a place to heal in her adoration.
Pulling the silver cover off, I picked up a piece of honey-cured ham and placed it into my mouth.
Jasmine reached for her glass of sour apple. She refused to drink anything else—water and sour apple quenchers—that was it. “So...you ready to talk yet?”
I ignored her, placing another piece of ham on my tongue.
She huffed, wrapping her tiny hands around her glass. Her fingers were almost as delicate as Nila’s. They were both proficient at needlepoint and of similar build. Everything inside knew they’d probably get along.
But I wanted to keep the two women of my life separate. I had my reasons.
Nila couldn’t know who I truly was and I wouldn’t be able to keep my secrets if she met Jasmine.
Jasmine knew the truth. The whole truth. The truth that could potentially cut my lifespan into pieces and steal my inheritance on the eve of it becoming mine.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it free, I scowled at the screen. The alert on keywords surrounding my family and the Weavers flashed with new information.
My blood boiled at the latest leak online about our private affairs. I’d been watching him, just waiting for him to do something stupid.
That little shit-stirrer has gone too far this time.
“I have to make a call.”
Jasmine shrugged. “I don’t mind. Do what you need to do.”
Gritting my teeth, I dialled the number and placed the phone against my ear. I did my best not to crush the device in my fingers. I was angry. Fucking pissed. If I had time to drive to London and tell him in person, I would. Only, I would invariably end up using my fists—not my voice.
“Hello?”
My heart thundered viciously.
“Hello, Vaughn.”
“Uh, hi...who’s this?”
I laughed coldly. “As if you don’t know who this is. Listen, whatever you’re doing, stop it. This is the only friendly warning you’ll get. She’s ours now. Not yours. And you can’t win against us so don’teven fucking try. Got it?”
Deafening silence came down the line.
“Last warning, Mr. Weaver. Tell the press to mind their own business and put a gag on whatever bullshit you’re spreading.”
Harsh breathing filled my ear. “Listen here, you arsewipe. Nila is my sister. I love her more than fucking anything, and Iwillget her back. She’s not happy with you. If you think I’m going to sit back and let her be subjected to you maniacs, you’re completely fucking nuts. Soon, everyone will know what you’ve done. Soon, every law enforcer and newspaper will understand how sick and twisted you are. And then you’ll be ruined, and we will have won. Go suck on that, fuckface. Don’t call me again.”
He hung up.
I threw my phone across the room.
“Shit!”
Not only did I have to deal with my own fucking weaknesses, but now I had to find a way to stop Nila’s brother from destroying everything, too. Christ, this day couldn’t get any worse.
