Page 31 of Of Vows and Betrayal

As I return to the main room, I see Ophelia now helping a young mother with her two children. She kneels down to talk to the kids at eye level, making them giggle. The sight tugs at something deep inside me, something I’ve tried to bury for years.

I walk over to her, and she looks up. Her eyes sparkle with an infectious joy, a light that seems undimmed by the darkness of her surroundings. “Thank you for the help,” she says, standing up.

“Anytime,” I reply, my voice softer than I intended.

She tilts her head slightly, studying me. “You’re not just a bodyguard, Javier. There’s more to you, isn’t there?”

I open my mouth to deflect, to brush off her question with a practiced answer, but the words die on my lips. For a moment, I consider telling her the truth, about the real reason I’m here, about the revenge I’m seeking. But I can’t. Not yet.

“Everyone has layers, Phee,” I finally say, using her nickname deliberately, savoring the familiarity of it. “Even you.”

She smiles, a knowing glint in her eyes. “I suppose we all do.”

We spend the rest of the afternoon at the shelter, and for a few precious hours, I allow myself to forget the mission, the deception, and the impending storm. I let myself enjoyher company, the warmth of her presence, even though I know it’s fleeting.

As we drive back, the sun setting behind us, I make a silent vow. I will see this through to the end. I will destroy Angelo Bergotti, but I will protect Ophelia from the fallout. She deserves that much, even if it means keeping my distance once the dust settles.

“I have something for you,” I say as we stop the car in front of the house steps.

“Another present?”

The way her face lights up at that moment is addictive. It’s the kind of expression that makes you want to do reckless things just to see it again.

I reach into the back seat and grab the sports bag. Despite my previous resolve to see everything to the end, I can’t help but feel that gnawing guilt burning low. It’s something I haven’t felt in many years, and it’s exhausting.

I extend the little square box to her, and she takes a shallow breath as she accepts it. “Thank you.”

“You didn’t even open it. It’s nothing fancy.”

She shrugs, still not opening the box. “It doesn’t matter what it is or its value. It’s the intention that matters, and you wanted to make me happy, so thank you.”

Fuck, her words slay me. I have to stop myself from reaching for the box and telling her I made a mistake and it wasn’t a gift for her after all.

She opens it and keeps her head down. I frown; it’s just a silly bee charm on a chain, nothing frivolous or overly expensive. Maybe that’s the problem; maybe it looks too cheap. No, that’s not Ophelia—there’s no way she’s thatshallow—I know her better than that now.

“Ophelia?”

She looks up, her green eyes brighter, almost like gems filled with unshed tears. “This is so nice.” She gives me the most unsophisticated sniffle, and I would laugh if I couldn’t read the array of emotions on her face that make my heart ache with both guilt and desire. “I love it.”

“It’s not much.” I rub at my neck. “It’s just a trinket. I saw it and thought of you.”

“It’s precious. I truly love it.” She takes it out of the box and puts it on her neck immediately, and I’m a little unsettled at the feeling forming in the pit of my stomach at seeing my present on her skin.

She rests her hand on it. “I will always wear it.”

I smile, the lump in my throat preventing me from talking.

“Okay, I’ll see you tom— Wait,” my voice breaks, and I clear my throat. “I saw something at the antique shop, and you said your father was in a bad mood. Maybe that could cheer him up. He loves boats, right?”

“How do you know?”

“You told me.”

“Did I?” She cocks her head to the side, and I hold my breath. I’m not sure now that she mentions it.

She waves her hand dismissively. “Ah, yeah, I must have mentioned it.”

I get the replica ofThe Golden Hindefrom behind the seat, knowing that he would not resist putting such a stunning piece right in the middle of his office where I need it to be.

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