Forbidden Love

“They can only call for one thing.”

“And I’m guessing that’s not to check in on how you are.”

I shook my head from side to side. “Absolutely not,” I breathed out in an icy whisper.

“Surely, they know this is all fabricated. It’s nonsensical.”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s not true. The Diamonds live and die by their reputation.”

“No, you don’t think…”

“I know. I don’t have to think.”

“Jesus, Barrett, what are you going to do?”

“I'm going to return their fucking calls. That’s all I can do.”

“I’m here if you need me, okay?”

“Thanks, Olivia. Actually, there is one thing I need.”

She got up. “What’s that?”

“I need you to take Lourde offsite today, anywhere, take her to the sites at Soho or Greenwich. I can’t have her here with all this going on.”

A perplexed look crossed her face. “Are you sure?”

I glared at her.

She threw her hands up in the air. “Okay. Okay. She will not like it, but okay.”

“I wouldn’t normally ask you to interfere, but today, I’m under extraordinary pressure.”

“I get it. But this is the first and last time I get in the middle.”

“I know.”

She nodded and turned her back, walking out of the boardroom.

I turned to my new phone. The missed calls were adding up—Magnus, Ari, and my sister had called a bunch of times. Then all the texts and messages of support from business associates came flooding in.

But it was the missed calls from the Diamonds that were burning a hole in my chest.

I turned over my phone and dialed up the last missed call to Alfred. It only rang once, and he picked up.

“Barrett, I know you’re busy, so I won’t keep you. Come to the house tonight with Lourde at six sharp.”

“Okay,” I said, and there was a pause before the line went dead.

There was no use pretending what tonight was about, and he didn’t sugarcoat it.

I fired a text off to Lourde.

Barrett:Tonight… your parents at six.

Three dots immediately flashed on the phone

Lourde:I know. Why are you ignoring me? Can we go together?

Barrett: I’m sorry, busy. I’ll meet you there.

Not wanting to be around her for fear of hurting her more, I thought it was best.

Lourde:Love you x

I began typing the same words back that had become so natural to say, but something stopped me, and I put the phone face down.

“You're all right to continue?” Ivy stuck her head through the doorframe.

“Yes, come in,” I said, ignoring the dull ache in my heart.