Revelations of His Runaway Bride

‘Unforgiving. Of himself, mostly. But there’s more. Your room...he got rid of all the furniture. Curtains. Tore up the carpet. It’s all bare. He refuses to allow us to speak of you. It’s like you were never here.’

Thea’s stomach heaved, pain knifing her deep inside. Did he really want her out of his life so badly? Maybe it had been a mistake coming here. Her hands curled into fists, the nails cutting into her palms. No. Fear wasn’t going to win. She wouldn’t run from this.

Thea flexed her fingers. ‘Take me to him.’

Anna gave a tight smile. ‘He’s shut in his office—as usual.’

They walked in silence up the stairs. Past the magnificent paintings she’d first seen all those months ago. Then, this place had pressed in on her like a prison. Now, a feeling of calm washed over her. She’d come home—if only Christo would see that too.

Anna glanced back at Thea as they stood outside his closed door. She mouthed Good luck, then turned back and knocked.

‘Come.’

That voice. Stern and uncompromising, it slid through her like fire in her blood. Her body trembled—but not from fear. From the agony of being away from this man for so long.

Anna opened the door and Thea slid past her, not giving Christo any time. He looked up at her, his eyes blank. Then confused. Then—

‘What the hell are you doing here? Anna!’

The door had already snicked shut. Anna had sensibly gone.

‘Don’t blame her. I can be very persuasive when I want.’

He unfurled from his chair. All muscle and towering height. Funny, she’d never been intimidated by that. She noticed his clothes hung slightly looser. His trousers a touch lower on his hips. He wore a business shirt, top buttons open. Lean. Hungry. Predatory.

He canted forward, palms on the desktop. ‘Answer my question.’

Oh, he’d give her nothing. She’d have to work hard for everything today.

She loosened the tie in her hair. Ruffled her hands through its long waves, flattened by her helmet. He watched, those green eyes tracing its fall over her shoulders, moving down to the split of her unzipped jacket, her heavy studded belt, to her boots and back.

When his eyes met hers again they were wild and dark. She smiled. ‘You offered me my rings. I didn’t want them then, but I do now.’

He stood back and his shoulders dropped. What was that look on his face now? Like a cloud passing over the sun? It could have been relief or disappointment. He turned towards the safe hidden in a cupboard behind his desk. She saw nothing but the broad expanse of his shoulders, narrow hips, standing stiff and severe.

‘You should have called...’ Christo’s voice scored down her spine, rough as fingernails.

‘I was told you were unlikely to speak to me.’

‘You could have left a message.’

‘It was the right time to visit.’

The safe cracked open. He withdrew a box, turned and placed it on the desk in front of him.

‘I shouldn’t be surprised. You said you liked shiny things.’

She shrugged. ‘Being a young, single millionairess, it’s all about the sparkle.’

‘You don’t need those to do that.’ He nodded to the box. ‘You’re the belle of every ball.’

A glimmer of hope lit deep inside. She raised her eyebrows. ‘Keeping an eye on me?’

‘People say things...’ Christo’s throat worked as he swallowed. He shook his head. ‘You have what you came for.’

No, she hadn’t. Not yet.

She wiggled her fingers. ‘I should put them on. Would you do the honours?’