Page 98 of Morning's Light

“Who’s there?” Aisanna called as she approached the front door. The voice that answered was male. Deep.

Familiar.

“Israel?”

He was grinning like a fool when she twisted the knob and opened the door. “Hey, babe. What are you up to?” He shot her mother a smile, pushing inside. “I know it’s early, but I had to come see you.”

“Did you know he was coming here?” Varvara asked, schooling her face into one of polite indifference.

“No, I had no idea.” Aisanna stared at him and thought for a moment about the reasons for his presence. Thought about his connections and the woman who stood behind him pulling the strings. She took a step back toward her only escape. “Did Zelda send you?”

He filled the doorway with his frame, his shirt the color of a Caribbean sea and tucked into the waist of his snug jeans. A leather jacket lined with sheepskin kept out the cold. He presented a nice picture, she would give him that. Friendly. Casual. Non-threatening.

Still, her body jerked into fight mode and everything inside urged her to attack or flee.

“Of course she didn’t send me.” Israel chuckled, placing his hands on his hips. “I came to see you. Why else would I be here?”

“Yeah, that’s what I don’t know,” she retorted. He was lying through his teeth.

With a second smile at her mother, Israel strode forward. “Is there someplace we can talk?”

Aisanna met Varvara’s eyes, an unspoken conversation transpiring in the air between them. Varvara gave the slightest jerk of her head, and Aisanna shrugged.

“I guess. Come on.” She gestured toward the left and led the way into the library, keeping the door open—keeping the flight option open.

Scanning the room, Israel took it in. He was used to the wealth. Their shared background was one of the key elements of their relationship. Now she hated that about him. How he used his connections like a shield, like a bargaining chip to do whatever he wanted without repercussions. How he trotted around town feeling self-important because he stood in the shadow of a woman like Zelda.

“I came for you,” he told her, the picture of innocence.

Aisanna wished she’d taken the opportunity to shower. It was hard to put her best foot forward when she was covered in soot and grime. “For me? Highly unlikely.”

Heavy footsteps sounded in the foyer, followed half a second later by her father’s booming voice. “What the hell is going on?” Thorvald burst into the room ready for a fight, the grey and white hairs of his mustache bristling. “Aisanna, what are you doing?”

“I have a caller.” Aisanna kept her gaze trained on Israel. “Although I can’t for the life of me figure out what he wants.”

“Babe, stop with the babble. Israel James, nice to meet you.” He held his hand out to Thorvald, who eyed it skeptically.

“I know who you are, boy. I’ve played poker with your father on many occasions. How has he been?”

“Just fine, thank you for asking.”

“Still doing those card tournaments on Thursday nights?” Thorvald maintained civility; he would no more bow or break than allow Israel to think him ungracious. Sparing a look at his daughter, Thorvald gave Israel’s hand a firm squeeze before releasing.

“Ah, yes sir, although the table is closed to you now. He said you stole his winnings with a hidden ace.” While Thorvald sputtered, Israel cleared his throat. “Now, if no one minds, I would like to talk to Aisanna alone.”

“Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of my family,” she stated.

Israel turned and put a hand on Thorvald’s back, deftly guiding him out the door. “It really was lovely to meet you, Mr. Cavaldi. Hope you don’t mind if I have a bit of privacy with your daughter. Thanks.”

Israel shut the door and mimed throwing the key away. When he turned back to her, a smile lit his features and the tips of his reddish-gold hair reflected the light. Ready to burst into flame.

“Okay, you’re really starting to make me nervous. Mind telling me what’s really going on?” Aisanna eyed the windows and wondered if she would have enough time to run should he attack.

She considered tackling him first and utilizing the element of surprise. Then he crossed the room and took her in his arms, drawing her close.

He turned sultry eyes toward Aisanna before swooping in low for a moist kiss. “Good to see you, snookums.”

She jerked away from the contact, his lips landing on her cheek and leaving wetness in their wake. “You’ve never called me snookums before,” she put in. She wiped the area with her sleeve. “Will you please tell me what the hell you’re doing here before I lose my temper?”

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