Page 28 of The Photograph

She nods. “I’m sorry your apology was cut short. But thank you for taking the time.” Her lips stretch into a smile. “Doesn’t this feel like déjà vu?”

I grin back at her. “What? Me chasing you down the market to apologize?”

Her eyes soften and she tilts her head to the side. “Is that what you’re doing? Chasing me?”

“Yes, until I catch you.” My voice is harsher than I intended and when she curls her arms around my shoulders, I pull her closer.

“I’m not running,” she whispers.

Hanging on to Michaels’ face in the hospitaland step back. “How long will you be?”

****

At the market, I follow Aelin to a stall slightly removed from the main path full of crystals of all shapes, and groan.I can feel my balls shriveling.

She beams at an older bald man who twirls his artistically curled moustache between his forefingers. “Hi, Tom, how are you?”

After a quick nod to me, Tom says, “I’m well, beautiful.” He gives her a small pouch. “I have it right here.”

When she looks up at Tom like he just handed her the moon, I edge closer as she opens the small bag. It’s a brooch with an intricate pattern made of thin filaments of crystal woven into the shape of an omega.

Her eyes on her palm, she whispers, “It’s even more beautiful than the original design. Please thank Mareen for me. It’s absolutely stunning.”

“Will do,” Tom says as she hands her credit card.

I touch her extended arm. “Aelin, let me.”

She turns to me with a frown. “No.”

After mouthing‘oneminute’to Tom whose chest shakes with silent laughter, I tug Aelin behind the stall and away from the growing crowd. We stop near an oak tree where she faces me with narrowed eyes.

I cup her cheek. “Let me treat you, Aelin.”

Her expression softens which makes me hard. “Gabe, I’ve designed and ordered this a couple of months ago. It’s my gift to myself.” Before I can reply, she rolls on her toes to kiss the corner of my mouth. “But thank you, it’s a lovely gesture.”

Forcing my shoulders to relax, I dip my chin. By refusing me now, she’ll expect something bigger. Shinier.Smart move.

An hour or so later, I park beside her car in her driveway and tense. A bespectacled man in a suit is standing at the bottom of the steps of her house. He stubs out his cigarette against the parapet before stuffing it in a tissue he slides in his back pocket. Whoever that schmuck is, he’s been waiting for her. If he has money, he didn’t put any on his car.

I step close to Aelin, who frowns when she sees him, so I wedge myself between her and the smoker.

“Chris,” she breathes out and hurries to the other man. He wraps his arm around her shoulders and pulls her on the other side of the steps.Out of earshot.

Standing by my car while they talk in hushed tones, I memorize his plate, dive my clenched fists in my pockets, and wait. The man kisses her forehead before walking away and she waves at the departing car.

“Friend of yours?”

She jumps slightly as I touch her shoulder. “More than that.”

Fucking Christ. She’s already lined up her next prey.

When she looks at me, something in her expression bothers me. She doesn’t look angry. Just sad. But the woman is a master manipulator. Time to make my move. I stroke her cheek.

“Have dinner with me tonight.”

She leans into my touch. “I would love to.”

Such a tempting mouth.“Good, I’ll send my chauffeur to pick you up at 7:00 PM.”

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