Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 72308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
“That’s great news.” I was happy for my brother. He finally got what he wanted—and he was mature enough not to fuck it up again. “Are you selling the place?”
“You’re selling the place. It’s yours.”
“It was a gift, Camille.”
“I know, and while I appreciate that, I don’t need it. It would be wrong to keep your money, Grave. I have Cauldron for what I need.”
I gave a slight nod.
“You can sell it furnished. I have nowhere to put this stuff.”
“Do you guys ever think about living in Paris full time?”
She shrugged. “I think Cauldron likes the weather and his yacht. Why?”
I looked around at her apartment. “It’s been nice having my brother around…”
Her eyes softened slightly. “We’ll always visit, Grave. You can always come to us…Elise too.”
She’d probably like a vacation like that.
Camille studied my features. “There is an Elise, yes?”
“I talked to her.”
“And…?”
“And what? I told you I would make it work.”
“That’s great. She must have been so happy.”
She’d fucked my brains out, so yes, she was ecstatic.
“I’m happy for you.”
“I’m happy for you too.” When I looked at her, my eyes dipped down to her necklace then quickly looked away. Our former lives felt so long ago they didn’t feel real anymore, almost folklore. “Need help with anything?”
“Cauldron should be here any minute to collect everything.”
“So you’re leaving today, then?”
“Yep. It’ll be nice to be home.”
A few minutes later, Cauldron walked inside. His men entered and gathered all the suitcases that held her possessions. Cauldron walked up to me and patted me on the arm. “How’d it go with Elise?”
“I’m exhausted. Does that answer your question?”
Cauldron grinned before he clapped me on the shoulder. “What’s next?”
“Selling the business. Telling Father. Finding something else to do with my time.”
“Same here.”
“I’m a bit bummed you’ll be in Cap-Ferrat,” I said. “It was nice having you down the street.”
My brother stared at me for a long time, like he struggled to find the words. “You know you’re always welcome, Grave. Elise and her kids too—whenever you’re ready for that. Camille has to come back for Bartholomew regularly, so we’ll be popping in.”
I nodded. “Sounds good.”
He stared.
I stared back. “I’m glad we’re brothers again.”
His expression remained rigid, but there was a slight hitch in his breathing. “Yeah…me too.”
34
CAMILLE
We passed through the gates then entered the roundabout.
The house came into view, the water fountain with lily pads in the center. The tall oak trees cast shade across the pavers in the driveway. The colorful flowers were extinguished by winter’s bite, but it was still a beautiful day.
Hugo stood out front, ready to receive us.
I still remembered the morning I’d left, head held high with tears bottled deep. It made my heart sink in sadness because that wound would always be fresh, regardless of the passage of time.
We left the car and walked to the front door.
Hugo gave me a slight bow. “It’s nice to have you back, Camille. Didn’t feel the same without you.”
I gave him a smile. “That’s nice of you to say.”
“And it’s especially nice because I mean it.”
I reached for his arm and gave him a squeeze. “It’s great to be back.” I entered the foyer, the smell of the hardwood and fresh flowers immediate. It was like walking back in time, all the times I walked through here to Cauldron’s study.
The men brought the luggage inside, carrying everything up the long staircase to the top floor.
Cauldron stepped inside, sliding his sunglasses into the neckline of his shirt. “Six more weeks until spring. Then it’ll really feel like home.”
“It already does,” I said, looking at him.
His arm circled my waist, and he dipped his head to kiss me.
“It’s a fairly warm day,” Hugo said. “Would you like to have lunch on the terrace?”
“That sounds great, Hugo.” Cauldron moved to the staircase. After the staff returned from their drop-off, he gestured for me to go first.
I took the long journey up the stairs to the third floor then entered his bedroom. I meant, our bedroom. It was exactly as I remembered it, spacious and elegant, with its own living room and private patio with a view of the water. My suitcases were placed in the closet, where half of it was empty so I could hang up all my things.
Cauldron remained in the doorway, watching me walk around.
“What?” I asked when his stare continued.
He didn’t answer.
I walked into the closet and looked around. I hated unpacking, so I chose to be lazy and leave the bags there before I exited again.
He didn’t move.
“Seriously, why do you keep staring at me?”
His arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the doorframe. “Just want to see you make yourself at home.”
It was an odd explanation, and I didn’t buy it. When I turned to admire the flowers on the nightstand, I noticed the colorful reflection of a diamond. The sunlight came through the open windows and made it shine so brilliantly. When I got closer, I realized it wasn’t a bracelet or earrings.