Page 72 of Entwined

“I want you to be happy, too. Go get her, Christos.”

“I think I just might.”

“Good.” She grins, “Your story deserves a happy ending.”

“Yours does too.”

“I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you as well, Nicole. I couldn’t have done so much important work this past year without you.”

“Did it help? Do you feel better?”

“Hardly. I know I helped a lot of people. But I’m not sure I’ll ever change my nature. I’ve accepted that now. I just hope she accepts me as I am; not still pining for the man she wanted me to be.”

“She’s a fool is she doesn’t love you. You’re almost perfect.”

“Almost?”

“Fine. You’re perfect. Just perfectly not for me.”

“Stay away from Dimitri.”

“Oh, I have no intention of going anywhere near the man.”

“Good. Have a safe trip. Stay in touch.”

“I will.”

She closes the door as softly as she opened it. I press the button on the house intercom. “George?”

“Yes, Sir,” he answers from somewhere within the house.

“I need you to fly to London and get my flat in shape. We’re moving back.”

“When Sir?”

“By the end of the month. I have some matters to settle here first.”

“Very well, Sir.”

I sit back in my chair feeling satisfied. Soon I’ll have my dove back. This time I’m never letting her go. I hope she enjoyed her year of freedom. It’s all she’ll ever have. I place my hands behind my head, thinking of all the ways I might punish her for going to Alex’s club. After a few minutes I call the bastard.

“Christos?”

“I’m going to fuck you up the ass so hard it’ll rip you apart.”

“Please do. It’s been my fantasy for years.”

“Blood hell, you bastard! Jessie? She’s been going to your club for weeks? What the fuck?”

“She’s blackmailing me.”

“Jessie?” I half-laugh, stunned at my little dove.

“Yes. She threatened to expose me. I helped her gain admission into King’s College.”

“So, she is in London?”

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