“Look, Levi. Whatever you plan to do, make sure Lavender is on board. Otherwise, we’ll have problems.”
The idea of anyone wanting to protect my Lavender from me sweeps rage through me, and I clench my cigarette, ignoring the burning in my palm while my voice drops a few octaves. “You do not tell me what to do when it comes to her, Scarlett. And besides…before digging your nose into someone else’s life, look closely into your own.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Camden.” My mouth curves into a smile at her sharp intake of breath.
Ah, yes. She might have run away from her childhood town a long time ago, but some ghosts hunt us even when they aren’t around.
“We all have skeletons in our past, Scarlett.Do notprovoke me into summoning yours.” I hang up and focus on Lavender again. She sits on her outdoor couch, trembling a little as she removes her slippers and curls her toes into the floor, gazing into the distance.
If she were beside me, I’d have to punish her for being so careless with her health. However, I have to wait a little longer.
Soon she’ll be mine, and her life will belong to me.
And if anyone stands in my way?
They’ll have to be eliminated.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Certain people will do anything to manipulate your reality to lead you to your downfall.
And even with all the knowledge in the world, you’ll still end up facing consequences you never expected.”
Lavender
Lavender
“This is heaven,” I mutter as I jump on the bed, my wet hair sending water droplets flying onto the white satin sheets that bring relief to my heated skin. A silky emerald nightgown hugs my body, flushed from the shower I just took.
Even if no one sees it, I still know something beautiful covers me and that brings me joy. After spending my adult life in flannels and cotton, I cannot stand the material and get nauseous just seeing it.
I remember how I splurged in the lingerie shop, and Rafael asked me if my card had been stolen. I’ve never seen my brother struggling to find words. From that moment on, he never asked me any questions about my purchases again.
My smile slips away, and anxiety pushes to the surface. I grab my phone from the nightstand and read the reply to my earlier message, which I had done my best to avoid by spending an hour in the bathroom.
I’m happy to hear you want to proceed. It should be an easy process as long as everyone acts like adults. Let me know if your brothers bother you about it.
Her message just fills me with more anxiety, after typingThank you, I put my phone away and pick up my strawberry bowl instead, my stomach grumbling at the sight.
My favorite berry is my addiction because I need to eat it every day. Maybe I can use my inheritance to grow fields and fields of strawberries. And then share it with everyone for free.
Something dings on my laptop, since it is open. I usually watch some docuseries before going to bed, and I click on the notepad, smiling at the chat that pops up in my notification bar.
Hi.
Excitement zips through me. I’ve done my best to resist checking my notifications since coming home. Munching on a strawberry and welcoming the fresh taste on my tongue, I tear a tissue up, wiping my hands and quickly typing my reply.
Hi.
I saw something you might like today.
I click the attachment, and the black, thick book’s cover comes into view. It has runes carved on it, indicating its age andvalue, because such pieces were created back in the eighteenth century. If not earlier.
That’s antique.
It better be. I paid a lot of money for it.
