Luna Belle POVHer heels click down the hallway, her steps that strange funeral march again, cautious and subdued.Before Dorothy has a chance to return and question me, I escape to the entrance and snatch my mom’s car key from the table where it lies next to her handbag. I’m too upset to think about taking her car registration papers or my license. I walk out of the door and push through the gate. The Audi is an automatic. It’s not difficult to drive. I get in and start the engine, not bothering to check the mirrors or adjust the seat.At the bottom of the street, I floor the gas. My eyes burn, but they remain dry. Good. Leonardo doesn’t deserve my tears. The line in the middle of the road blurs and doubles. I rub my eyes with the heel of my palm, trying to clear my vision. I’m driving like a maniac, way too fast, and it’s only sheer luck that I don’t get pulled over by a traffic police before I reach the golf estate.I park in front of the main entrance of the hotel and stalk inside
He’s not. He bends, picks up the ring in no hurry, and takes a Zippo lighter from his pocket. It’s the same one he used to light a joint when we first met. I watch, horrified, as he flicks the lighter and holds the ring under the flame.He’s bluffing.I look between his impassive face and the blackening surface of the ring, unable to believe he’ll go through with it.“I prefer that you wear it on your finger,” he says. “But as I said, it’s your choice.”When he kills the flame and reaches for me, I shrink back. His fingers curl around my bicep, dragging me closer. I fight his hold, clawing at his forearm, but my efforts have no effect. He brushes my hair over my shoulder, taking care not to touch my skin with the ring, and kisses a spot on my neck.A shudder runs through me.He’s going to do it—right there where he pressed his lips on my skin.“Wait,” I cry out, straining in his grasp.He blows over the spot that’s wet from his kiss, making my skin contract. “It’ll hurt, but I’ll put
Luna Belle Fernandez POVThe house is strangely quiet. The clang when I drop my mom’s car key on the table in the entrance sounds unnaturally loud. A smell of apple pie wafts from the kitchen, but the delicious aroma of home baking doesn’t warm me inside and welcome me like it usually does.Something changed. I don’t feel at home in the house any longer. Leonardo Franco destroyed my haven with his despicable betrayal. I’m like a stranger in the place I grew up in. The walls close in on me, but I don’t feel safe outside either. Adonis’s words repeat in my head, that someone will always be watching me. That he’ll always come back for me. But I don’t want to think about him. I can’t. Not now. I have to push those disturbing thoughts aside and do what has to be done.Taking my phone from my bag that still lies on the floor next to the door, I send a text message to Robinson to tell him I won’t be over tonight, making up a feeble excuse of being tired.Cassie exits from the kitchen as I sh
Luna Belle POVMy shoulders sag as I walk to the bathroom and wash my face. My father lost shares in his business, and it’s my fault. Because of me, he had to give a part of his hard-earned company to the Franco family. If Leonardo used the bribing to blackmail my father into signing over a part of his business, then Leonardo is condoning the bribing too.It’s a bitter pill to swallow. A part of me wishes I never learned the truth. I don’t like to think this house and everything else was bought with dishonest means. Dad has never involved us in his business. I’ve never understood much about it because he’s gone to such great pains to keep his private and professional lives apart.I’ve always put him on a pedestal. He’s always been my hero, and today makes a dent in the image I upheld for so long, proving that even my strong, successful, and invincible dad is only human. That he has faults. I suppose he feels the same about me, realizing that his little girl isn’t so perfect or obedien
Leonardo Franco POVOur house is a stone structure that stands on a cliff. The wall of rock dives straight into the sea. To the left, a small bay with a strip of sand provides enough protection to tie a boat. Beyond the bay, terraced gardens lead up the hilly side to the house. On the east side, an Olympic-sized pool overlooks the sea. The garden is planted with rosemary, thyme, lavender, and narra trees. A vineyard stretches down the hill at the back. It’s a small vineyard that produces a few bottles of mediocre quality wine a year, but it was never meant to be an industrious enterprise. It’s my father’s hobby. It was always his dream to own a vineyard.I throw the rope of the yacht to one of our men who waits on the jetty. He greets me with a nod. Once the yacht is secured, he goes on board to close everything and pull the covers over the fittings. I look at the gray sky, taking in the thick bank of clouds as I climb the stone steps that cut through the garden to the front of the ho
I just have enough time to drop the satchel before catching my sister as she throws her arms around my neck.She smacks a kiss on my cheek. “You’re back.” Laughing, she lets me go and wipes something from my face, presumably her lipstick. “You should’ve told me. I would’ve come home straight after my last class instead of going to the library.”My mother gives an awkward smile before slinking away, allowing us space as if she’s not welcome in our circle. Like an outsider. Guilt constricts my chest as I follow her retreat with my gaze over Venus’s shoulder.“Hey,” Venus says, punching me in the stomach. “I’m talking to you.”“Quiet.” I glance at the library. “Papa is sleeping.”She blows out a breath. “It’s been hard.” Then her expression brightens. “But the doctor reckons he’ll be fine in a couple of days. It’s only a cold.” She picks up the satchel and hooks her arm around mine. “Have you eaten? If I know Mama, she’s been cooking all day. Let’s grab a hot chocolate and you can tell m
Luna Belle Fernandez POVA thin smile stretches his lips as he tilts his head, shaking it while studying me.My beach bag hangs over his shoulder. I grab the strap and yank it free. He watches with a broody expression while I shove my towel and utility belt into the bag.“Your phone,” he says, taking it from his pocket and holding it out at me. When I don’t move, he drops it in my bag. “Keep it on you and charged at all times.”I cross my arms. “Or?”His smile stretches into a grin. “Or be prepared to see a whole lot of me.”Not sparing him another glance, I charge toward the lagoon. The river isn’t coming down strongly today. The water has eaten away the sandy banks on the sides, leaving a deep sandcastle canyon, but at the bottom, the washout is shallow.Digging my heels into the edge of the bank, I slide down as the sand gives way under me. Somewhere behind me, Rudolph curses. I make my way through the water and climb up the embankment on the other side. Looking back, I take perver
Leonardo Sebastian Franco's POVMy mother comes downstairs as I exit the dining room after breakfast. She’s wearing a camel-colored Dior coat, a Hermes scarf, and a Louis Vuitton handbag over her arm. Since we made our money, my father has turned her into a walking luxury brand. It’s an overkill. He’s trying to make up for those days none of us can forget but will never mention. He loves my mother.“Morning,” I say, the nagging guilt and questions from yesterday still burrowing like splinters under my skin.She pulls on a pair of gloves and stops at the bottom of the staircase with a soft smile. Her words are equally soft, as if she’s scared to speak up, scared she’ll be heard. “Good morning.”I stop in front of her. “Where are you going?” It’s early. My father is still sleeping.“To the store. We’re out of rice. I’ll get some oranges while I’m there. I know how much you like those ones from Thailand’s jasmine rice. They’re sweeter than the local varieties. Has Venus left?”“Five minu