Page 116 of The Billionaire's Vow

“Yes?” I called and looked over my shoulder. It was Isla again.

“Mrs. Crane called and would like to know if you can send over your package today instead of tomorrow. She left a message, but her assistant also called me.”

I took out my phone and didn’t realize I hadn’t checked my voicemail earlier. Lily’s message was left over an hour ago.Shit.I quickly played the recording.

“Hello, Adelina. It’s Lily Crane of Perchance to Dream Literary Agency. I hope my message finds you well. The submission deadline is tomorrow. It’s our second call. I wasn’t as keen on the illustrations done so far, and I’m excited to see what you come up with for it. However, we’re leaving New York tonight. I’d like to know if you can have it delivered to me this evening. If so, thank you.”

My heart pounded listening to Lily Crane. She had so much faith that I’d win over her team at the agency with my drawings.

“What do you need?” Isla asked, letting me know she was there. Her eyes lingered on the suitcase.

I pushed it back into the closet and then stood up. “Lily Crane wants me to send her my submission tonight. I have it all together, but I’m not sure….”Is it ready or good enough?

She had her phone in her hand. “I’ll get someone to help you label, package, and hand deliver it to Lily Crane. Don’t worry. It’ll be great.”

Isla was a godsend, and I was so happy we kept her on. She made my life so much easier.

I walked over and asked. “May I hug you?”

She beamed at me. “Of course you can.”

I hugged her and then drew back. “I’ll just be a few minutes.”

She left the room, and I restacked the suitcases inside the cupboard. It would have to wait until tomorrow. I reluctantly walked out of the bedroom and hurried down the stairs to find Zane. He was in the front hall on his phone. When I approached, he stopped his call and turned toward me.

“Hey, uhm, I have a request for you,” I said, not sure how to approach what I had to say.

He quietly ended his call and put his phone away in his blazer. “Sure, Adelina. How can I help?”

“I don’t want Nico inside our home unless Rocco’s here,” I said and hugged my arms.

“Okay, I’ll tell the security and staff here,” Zane assured, and it shocked me that it was that easy.

“You don’t need to call Rocco first?” I peered at him inquisitively.

He smiled and shook his head. “This is your home. You decide how you run it. No matter who’s involved, Rocco wouldn’t want you to feel unsafe.”

My shoulders dropped, and some of the tension inside me eased. “Thank you so much, Zane.”

He gave me a confused look. Perhaps for him, it wasn’t out of the ordinary to have control over something as basic as who could come inside a home, but it hadn’t been my life.And while I thanked and left Zane to head up the stairs with a lift in my spirits, a nagging thought about the package’s content remained.

What’s in it?

Cassidy sat on a chair and read the brief of Brenna Strongborne’s Sky Fairy and The Shadow Prince book in the room that I had set up as my studio. Lily Crane liked the sketches to be on paper as well as digital. Luckily, I had an assistant helping me label and package them to deliver. I had already prepared everything to send, but I wanted her opinion on my submission.

I laid them out in order. “These scenes captured the most prevalent scenes in the brief, but I don’t know. Is the style okay? Or too detailed? I’m not an illustrator—”

“Stop,” she said and took my shaking hands. “I’m speechless because I’m blown away. I loved your paintings, and I still believe you should explore more of that work if you want, but these illustrations are extraordinary. You’ll knock her socks off.”

“You think so? I’m trying not to get too excited; Rocco’s not involved with making this happen for me. He said he didn’t want to take away my success.”

“He already expects you to succeed. That’s the kind of encouragement you need in your life. A real partner that stands with you, not giving it to you.”

I scrunched up my face. “What if Lily Crane doesn’t like them?”

She lifted her shoulders. “Then you’ll find another company that does. You could even start your own freelance company or pursue more painting. Your opportunities are limitless if you’re willing.”

I bobbed my head. “You sound like Rocco.”

---