Relentless (Starcrossed Lovers Trilogy 3)

It was him who leaned closer, curious.

“So, given that you have been so forthcoming in what you are offering us,” he said. “What is it that you want in return? There must be some things you are seeking that I could show you my appreciation by supplying.”

My expression was stoic as I weighed it up, but he was keen and eager, clearly very taken with the offers I’d been presenting him.

Yes, there were some things he could show his appreciation by supplying. Two of them.

I decided to lay my cards right out there on the table.

“I want a few things in particular,” I said. “Some things that may be controversial.”

“Anything,” he said, holding up his hands with a smirk. “Controversial is my middle name.”

My gut was boiling with need even as I uttered the words.

“I want Lord Eddington and Baron Rawlings,” I told him. “And I want them delivered to me personally so I can kill them myself.”

21

Elaine

I was still enjoying the comfy bed and my full stomach from breakfast when the knock came at the bedroom door. It was a different knock than the nervous little taps we’d had previously, this one was confident, with a real bounce in it. My nerves shot up into my throat as I headed over to answer it, knowing full well it must be Francesca Quentin out there on the landing.

Yes, it was. It was Francesca Quentin greeting me with a smile, and she looked every bit as radiant as she had the night before.

She was wearing a clearly designer dress down to her knees, in a turquoise green that brought out the green of her eyes. Her lips were scarlet, matching her flame hair just right.

The woman just reeked of glamor.

Such a shame that I didn’t.

I was in one of Jemma’s cheap cami tops over a faded pair of jeans. I felt a mess compared to her, but she made me feel anything but as she clapped her hands together in excitement to see me.

“Elaine!” she gushed. “Such a pleasure to have you! I can’t wait until Marissa Frank arrives! Just a few more minutes and she should be pulling up with her collection, armed and ready to go.”

I had no idea what she was talking about and it must have shown on my face. She tipped her head as she spoke again.

“Lucian didn’t tell you? We have both my stylist and beautician coming over today to treat you to whatever you desire. He said your suitcase most certainly needs the additions.”

No, Lucian hadn’t told me. He hadn’t mentioned a thing, and it touched me all over again to realize just how important my happiness must be to him. He was spoiling me in every way he could, at every opportunity.

“It’s going to be so much fun!” Francesca exclaimed, and I had to hide another fresh bout of happy tears that threatened to spill from me, beaming a grin right back at her.

“Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

She waved a hand. “Nothing to be thankful for. Two girls together, having fun. Makes my day as much as yours.”

I had nothing to take with me, so I didn’t even bother looking, just stepped out onto the landing alongside her and let her lead the way.

All the way down the stairs she was telling me just how amazing a stylist Marissa Frank was and how excellent her beautician was to match. She walked me through to the main sitting room telling me about some of the incredible outfits Marissa had sourced for her and just how fantastic my wardrobe was going to be by the time she left today.

“Prosecco or coffee?” she asked me with a laugh as she called the housekeeper in.

“Coffee, please, black,” I said, and she shrugged, then ordered herself a prosecco.

Yet again it was a strange situation not to be ordering a prosecco to match, but I didn’t want one. I had no desire to drink again. It was gone. Faded. Finished.

One thing I did want was the doctor who arrived on demand and checked out my rib cage through my bandages. Francesca acted like it was nothing when they nodded their approval and gave me a shot of antibiotics, wiping it aside like no big deal, even though it had been a huge scary one when it had happened.

I was really fitting in here, comfortable, and so was Lucian.

For once I felt like this truly might work for us. Maybe, just maybe, we’d survive this long term.

The housekeeper had only just delivered our drinks when I heard a hello sounding out from the sitting room door. Francesca jumped to her feet and went rushing over, hugging the woman stepping inside and showering her with air kisses. The woman resounded with style, just as Francesca did. She had a flick of violet in her jet-black curls, dressed in a glorious purple tunic over fitted pants.