Page 41 of The Ghost of Rage's War

While that shit had been happening, Romeo had been paying attention to Carmelle. It had been small things, a rose on her dinner plate, a box of chocolates. Then, it gravitated to more expensive items, which Carmelle showed little interest in. That confused thefuck out of Romeo, and he asked if she didn’t like his gifts.

When Carmelle replied she was married, Sharp nearly killed Romeo when he broke her. Romeo coldly informed Carmelle that Beau had been discovered with his brains blown out.

Carmelle’s sobs were heart-wrenching, and Sharp realised she’d truly loved her husband.

Romeo had seemed puzzled at first; he couldn’t understand the depth of her love. In Romeo’s world, emotion that deep didn’t exist. But Sharp saw when Romeo finally recognised it for what it was and wanted it for himself.

Romeo allowed Carmelle a few weeks to grieve before beginning his courtship again. Sharp was amused at how Carmelle ignored his efforts, but sadly, that just made Romeo want her more. The one thing Sharp did know was Romeo would never force his attentions on her. Carmelle was safe from rape or being groped. Romeo deemed that beneath him—no, he’d take great joy in coaxing Carmelle to him.

But Sharp realised Romeo was underestimating how much Michaelson was in Carmelle’s blood. She matched Drake for stubbornness.

“You are different from the others,” Carmelle said as he entered her rooms.

Sharp stopped and looked at her.

“You’re not like the rest of them,” Carmelle stated.

“No. I was dragged up,” Sharp replied.

Carmelle went to open her mouth, and Sharp shook his head minutely. Her eyes narrowed, and Sharptilted his head towards the window.

“I see. Sharp, I want a walk. Let me grab the children,” Carmelle said.

“Okay.”

They walked down to the gardens, and Sharp led Carmelle to the small lake the estate held. The only space he knew there weren’t cameras or microphones hidden. Even so, he put on some music for the girls on his phone as they began dancing about.

“Who are you?” Carmelle demanded softly.

Her eyes scanned his face. “I can’t tell you.”

“But you are not one of them? You’re different,” she whispered. “You’ve treated me differently from the word go. With you, I feel I’m a priority.”

“I’m different, and you are,” Sharp agreed.

“But you can not tell me why?”

“No. But I’d walk through fire to save you and the girls,” Sharp said honestly.

Carmelle studied him. “Would you hurt me?”

“Fuck no! Never!”

Carmelle cocked her head. “Not even to save your own life?”

“No. And I will not allow anyone to harm you or the kids. Listen, I need to leave in a couple of weeks. I’ll be gone for a few days, but you’ll be safe. Romeo would never dream of forcing himself on you. If it comes to it, pretend you’ve got a cold, he’s a germophobe. Just hang in, okay? This is nearly ended,” Sharp promised.

Carmelle studied him and nodded.

“Fine, but don’t leave me alone too long with him.Because I’m about ready to stab him with a fork,” Carmelle murmured.

Sharp couldn’t help the smirk that crossed his face.

“Come on, before we start to draw attention,” Sharp said.

Carmelle followed him back to the mansion, and Sharp could feel her thoughtful eyes on him the whole way.

Sharp – July - 2019

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