Page 134 of In Love and Revenge

‘Beauty?’ I coax.

‘I thought Dominic might know something. Or have at least heard something, seeing as he’s on the board. But last time I spoke with him ...’ She shudders. ‘Can you talk to him?’

I stiffen. Dominic. I haven’t seen him since the night I found him on the terrace with Aurora. The slippery bastard has been keeping a low profile, avoiding my calls, not being there when I’ve visited his office. He knows he fucked up. I’d never have had him down as the type of guy to put a move on a woman and make her feel uncomfortable unless I saw it with my own eyes like I did that night. And it wasn’t just any woman. It was Aurora. Not seeing him these past weeks is a good thing. I’m not sure I could have controlled myself.

It’s time I had it out with him.

‘I’ll go to his house later,’ I tell Aurora.

‘Thank you.’ She kisses me, then pulls back sharply as the sound of my front door closing vibrates through the walls.

‘All of my family are programmed into the security system,’ I explain.

I take in a deep breath, knowing exactly who is stomping down my hallway.

Dove barrels around the corner, slamming to a halt as she spots the two of us.

Aurora flinches inside my arms.

‘We were going to tell you, I swear,’ she squeaks, her eyes widening with worry. ‘Please, don’t be angry.’

But my sister’s glare is focused on me. ‘You shagged my best friend behind my back! What kind of brother are you?’

I run my tongue over the edge of my teeth as she storms over. Aurora tries to step away, but I tighten my hold on her, keeping her firmly in place.

‘We were going to tell you yesterday. I’m sorr—’ I say.

She scoffs. ‘Uh-huh. I speak, you listen. You need to work on your poker face, brother. I could read you like a book last night. The two of you have never liked one another. I’m not bloody stupid!’ she rages when I try to interrupt. ‘For you to suddenly go charging off looking like you’re about to burst a blood vessel at the mention of her name. It was so bloody obvious!’

‘Dove—’ Aurora starts, but I interject.

Dove is vibrating with fury, but I can see the chink in her armour. All of this fire, all of this ... hurt ... it isn’t because she found out her brother and her best friend have something going on, it’s deeper than that.

‘No, I’m sorry,’ I say as calmly as possible. ‘I didn’t know he was going to be there.’

My sister’s wince is almost imperceivable. But I see it. And so does Aurora.

‘Rafael. I need ...’ Aurora whispers, looking up at me with a stricken expression because she wants to run to comfort Dove. But I keep her firmly in my grip.

‘Not yet,’ I whisper in her ear. If Aurora goes to Dove now before my sister regains composure, then Dove won’t thank me for it. She’s spent years forgetting the man who left her functioning like an empty shell of herself.

Dove sniffs, pulling her shoulders back. ‘Don’t try to make this about anything other than the fact you’ve been lying to me.’

She looks at me with a piercing clarity in her eyes as the memories from the past fade, and all that’s left is cold, hard fury at being deceived.

‘Okay,’ I answer. ‘In that case, ask what you want to know, and we’ll tell you.’

My sister opens her mouth like she’s preparing to assault us with a barrage of questions. But then her eyes drop to where Aurora’s palm is resting over my chest – above my heart – and she sucks in a breath.

‘Bloody hell, it’s serious, then?’ She whips her eyes to mine.

I let go of Aurora, holding Dove’s gaze as Aurora runs to her.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she whispers, stopping in front of Dove. ‘Please don’t hate me. I never in a million years thought I’d ever like him. I’d have been more likely to accelerate if I saw him crossing the road.’

‘Charming,’ I grumble.

Dove shoots me a look that tells me to zip it before she turns to Aurora, her eyes sparkling.