Page 158 of In Love and Revenge

‘You gave Kyle the day off, we’ll drive you. You’re—’

‘I can get a bloody cab!’

I march up to the front desk. AJ’s eyes widen as he sees me.

‘Mr Fairfax? I—’

‘On a scale of one to ten, how big of a cunt was I to that client this morning?’

His face pales. ‘Is there a number that will result in me not being fired from my job?’

‘Just answer the question.’

He winces. ‘Ten would be being kind.’

‘Dammit,’ I hiss. ‘Send them a hamper. Tell them we’ll cut twenty per cent off their next premium.’

‘Sir?’ He fumbles.

‘Do it. And if they still think I’m a prick, tell them I got my arse dumped by the only woman I’ve ever loved. That’ll make them feel better. They can have a goddamn laugh at my expense.’

He swallows, nodding furiously. ‘Yes, Mr Fairfax.’

I head into the lift and punch the button for the lobby.

My siblings’ worried faces shine back at me as I hold a hand up, indicating following me would be at their own peril. Behind them the window cleaners’ crane lowers into position on the outside of the building.

Nausea sweeps up my windpipe, but I swallow it down. The sight of it still sickens me. But there’s a new terror filling my gut now.

The thought of Aurora never coming home, and never forgiving me.

Chapter 38

Aurora

Four days later

‘Thank you for the ride.’ I lean down so I can smile at Joe, one of the doormen from the hotel.

‘Any time. You on shift tomorrow?’

‘I am.’

He gives me a cheeky grin, the dimples in his cheeks popping. ‘Then it’s another date.’

I shake my head as he drives away. He’s cute and cocky in an endearing way. He reminds me of Angelo. Which in turn, reminds me of ...

‘Rafael?’ I gasp.

He pushes off the wall of my apartment building. He’s wearing one of his usual suits, but something about him is different. The fabric sits looser against his frame, like he’s lost weight, and his eyes are bloodshot and ringed with dark circles. He’s lacking his usual spark and confidence.

‘Aurora.’

The way he says my name, so smooth and delicious, like butter sliding over hot toast, has my belly fluttering. No matter how much my brain is telling me to run, my feet are rooted to the spot.

‘How did you find me?’

‘Angelo admitted he helped you get a job. And I know every one of his clients. I figured that would be a good place to start. Then Dove said she took you to the station the morning after ...’ He swallows like the memory is painful. ‘After dinner at my parents’ house, I checked the timetable that day for all trains departing in the morning, cross-referencing their destinations with any of Angelo’s clients’ businesses. Then I checked Gabe’s work phone for his email to you. In your reply you told him you’d just arrived and were getting off the train. I checked the time, made a list of all the places you could have travelled to, considering any delays and train cancellations on the day, and narrowed it down to three. Then I waited to see which one Dove reacted with the most anger to when I said it, and I knew I’d found you. A day spent sitting outside the hotel in my car to find out where you were staying in between shifts is all it took.’