Chapter 84
Chapter 84
VENUS
Gerald didn’t stay long.
He stepped into the office just as Dorian excused himself.
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“I just came to apologize,” he said, voice smooth, hands tucked his pockets polite and practiced. “For Andrea. She was… out of line the other night p>
I blinked. “It’s fine p>
He gave a rueful smile, like he knew it wasn’t. “No, it’s not. She shouldn’t have p>
“I’m serious,” I cut in gently. “It’s fine. And there’s no need for you to apologize on her behalf. Besides, it’s forgotten p>
“Thanks p>
He flashed one of his charming smiles.
And then he left.
The door clicked softly behind him, and I exhaled.
But the tension didn’t leave me.
It just shifted, slid from my spine to my shoulders, where it settled like armor.
I finished my work and sent Aaron a text.
Sabine was in full-blown prep mode.
Gianna and I had been swept into the whirlwind right along with her and honestly, I wasn’t complaining.
are
“Press briefing on Thursday, don’t be late,” she told us. “Flight logistics already handled, courtesy of your husband.” She flashed me a cheeky grin.
“Press briefing?” I arched a brow. “Like… you want us to talk p>
She nodded, smug. “Mhm. Saturday is for dress fittings. And I can’t wait to see you
in my dresses p>
“My favorite part,” Gianna grinned. “Finally. All your fits are fire. I’m afraid once you launch, I won’t be able to buy a dress anywhere else p>
Sabine visibly glowed. “Thank you. Seriously. This means a lot p>
“Thanks for including us p>
“Sooo…” she dragged out the word.
“Sooo…?” I echoed.
She wiggled her brows. “Aaron’s been in a really good mood lately p>
Aaron.
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Chapter 84
He had been more than lovely
I felt like a dream, ope Ldidn’t want to wake up from.
Between meetings and logistics and fittings, I barely had time to think. But Aaron., oh, he noticed.
Even when he didn’t say it, I could feel the shift in him.
He hovered more.
Touched me more.
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Let his fingers linger as they skimmed my arm. Let his hand restently at the small of my back when we stood too close. Kissed my temple before meetings like it was nothing
“Sabine,” I muttered, cheeks heating.
I’d told Gianna a little about our progress. She was happy for me but in true Gianna fashion, still warned me to be careful.
“What?” she teased. “Even Connor noticed. He’s being… affectionate, Very affectionate p>
Gianna smirked. “You don’t even see it, do you? He’s soft for you now p>
“I don’t know,” I said, trying to deflect. “Things have just been… really good lately p>
My phone buzzed.
Aaron.
Gianna lit up. Sabine squealed. “Speak of the devil p>
I reached for the phone, cheeks already warm but Sabine snatched it from the table.
“Sabine p>
“Shhh. Let me handle your husband.” She answered with an evil grin. “Hello, Mr. Sinclair. Yes, she’s alive. No, we haven’t kidnapped her yet. But if you keep calling every five minutes, we might p>
I dropped my head to the table with a groan.
Gianna laughed so hard she nearly spilled her drink.
“Mhm… yes… alright,” Sabine said casually, then looked at me. “She’s fine, I promise. She’s just blushing. Like, glowing p>
She handed me the phone with a wink. “He wants to talk to his wife now. Imagine that p>
I snatched it from her and turned away. “Hi p>
“You okay?” Aaron’s voice was warm, low like he’d been holding his breath until he heard mine.
I softened. “Yeah. I’m good p>
“You sure p>
I smiled. “I’m with Sabine and Gianna. I’ve never been safer p>
Silence.
Then, quietly: “You’ll be gone for two weeks p>
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Chapter 84
“I know p>
“Venus…” His voice dropped lower, hit deeper. “I’m not okay with that p>
My breath caught. I moved to a quieter corner, heart twisting
“I’ll call. Every night. Even if it’s just to say goodnight p>
“That’s not enough p>
“I’ll make it enough p>
Pause.
“I miss you already p>
God.
That undid me a little.
“I’ll be home before you know it p>
“I’ll hold you to that p>
A beat of silence.
“Be careful p>
My heart pinched. “Why? What’s wrong p>
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“No leads on the guy who followed you. Nothing on the footage. He knew what he was doing. Just… don’t let your guard down p>
I chewed the inside of my cheek. He was right.
“I’m fine p>
And before he could spiral further: “Also… I know you’ve got people tailing me p>
There was a pause.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about p>
I smirked. “Sure you don’t p>
“Tall guy in a leather jacket pretending to read a menu for twenty minutes? Very subtle p>
“I wanted eyes on you p>
“I know p>
“And p>
“I think it’s hot p>
Long pause.
“Of course you do p>
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Chapter 84
I smiled, “I’ll see you soon p>
“Soon isn’t soon enough
A
I hung up before I said something stupid like I don’t want to go anymore.
When I turned back, Sabine and Gianna looked positively feral
“Oh my God,” Gianna sighed. “You two are disgustingly adorable
Sabine clapped. “You’re so married-married. Like Sunday pancakes and forehead kisses married p>
“Shut up p>
They didn’t.
“By the way,” Gianna said, nodding out the window. “Your car is sexy p>
“That color is criminal,” Sabine agreed. “I don’t even like cars, but that one? That one is main character energy p>
“It’s subtle.” I said. “I wanted understated p>
Gianna grinned. “You wanted safe. And Aaron made sure it came with bulletproof glass, tracking software, and backup everything, didn’t he p>
I didn’t even bother denying it.
Sabine lifted a brow. “You do know he’s obsessed with you, right
I flushed. “He’s… getting there p>
She smirked. “Nah. He’s already there. He’s just not brave enough to say it yet p>
And maybe… she was right.
Because Aaron Sinclair-guarded, private, endlessly composed-was doing everything but saying it.
But I felt it.
In the way he held on.
And the way he let go just enough… to let me fly.
The bathroom was two doors down from the cafe, tucked into a sleek hallway behind the gallery.
I’d just finished washing my hands when the door creaked open.
A man walked in.
Tall. Hoodie pulled low, shadowing most of his face. No staff badge. No name tag. Just a flash of motion and
He bumped into me. Hard.
I stumbled back. “What the hell p>
“Sorry,” he muttered, brushing past me quickly. Too quickly. Too deliberate.
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Chapter 81
I turned to watch him.
Gone.
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My heart kicked into overdrive.
I waited a beat. Then another. Listening.
No footsteps.
No apology.
No second glance.
I shook my head. You’re being paranoid, Venus. It’s nothing.
Still, I checked the hallway before stepping out. Just to be sure.
When I returned, Sabine and Gianna were still deep in conversation over swatches and textures, completely unaware that the world had just tilted slightly beneath my feet.
I slipped into my chair and picked up my drink, willing my heartbeat to settle.
“Everything okay?” Sabine asked.
“Yeah,” I said too quickly. “Just some guy barging into the ladies’ like doors mean nothing p>
Gianna rolled her eyes. “Men are a disease p>
I laughed. High and thin.
And then I glanced out the window.
The car Aaron picked for me was still parked at the curb.
Sleek. Steady. Bulletproof.
And suddenly, I was so damn glad it was.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.