Chapter 77: 77 ~ Jace
I was starting to trade blood for softness because of her.
I stared down at her as the rays of the moon framed her gorgeous face, making her look even more ethereal.
Was I?
I shook my head vehemently as if to chase out the thoughts. I could not be falling for anyone. I just liked her. A lot. And that was normal. I wasn’t supposed to hate my wife right?
I slowly slipped out of the bed.
Maybe we were getting too close.
This whole trip had been an impulsive decision. I just wanted to do something nice for her. She did not get a proper honeymoon and she deserved better than that. So I was just trying to make up for lost time.
I stood outside and stared up at the moon even as the ocean made swishing sounds that comforted me. This was an escape that I needed too. If I was being honest, it was not just for Mira. I was drained, exhausted.
Shipments had sunk in the sea. Millions of dollars gone. Lives lost. Internal sabotage was what it seemed like but what difference did it make. This was the world I belonged and even though I was sick of it, I had no choice. It was my responsibility.
That bastard, Enzo, was willing to take it but I knew him well enough to be sure he would bring shame to the family name. He was a traitor and a snake. I would not even be shocked if he worked with my enemies. Fucking nutjob!
Tomas’ call came with a lot of bad news earlier and I had to sweep it under the carpet so it would not ruin the trip for Mira. I was so sure she was stunned by my switch. Even I was surprised.
I was learning to be softer with her. She was not the kind to be handled roughly but I didn’t exactly know how to be softer than I was I already trying to do.
~
"We’re heading out, aren’t you coming?" Mira asked me.
I took a good look at her. She was clad in a bright floral sundress that unironically made her look like sunshine.
Her face was bare of makeup but looked so plush and glowy. I wanted to pull her back to me and kiss those small lips of hers that she bit every now and then to seduce me, maybe it was on purpose or maybe not but it had the right effect on me.
"No," I finally answered, snapping out of my reverie.
"Why?"
"I have work to do. You two have fun." I said to both of them.
Yes, I finally acknowledged Ariel’s existence. I figured that she bonded quite well with Mira and because I did not want her to be lonely, I ensured to bring her along.
I did not want to be seen in public at this time even though we were thousands of miles away from home. I definitely would not be accompanying her for shopping and because we were in another country, I didn’t want her to feel alone. This was not about media stunts but she did not need to know that.
I walked over and pressed my lips against hers to say goodbye.
She seemed slightly stunned by it but eagerly returned it and eventually left.
~
I stood shirtless at the balcony overlooking the ocean. It was peaceful. The blue ocean lulled me in with the calmness of its waves. The breeze over my skin made me feel a semblance of peace.
It was quiet. For once, the voices in my head remained silent.
My mind wandered to Mira. She must have been out there haggling prices with local traders. She would never want something expensive.
I chuckled. If only this woman knew the effect she had on me. It was more than I anticipated.
I was frustrated by how she was becoming a major part of my entire existence unknowingly. I was slowly tipping to a point of being unable to imagine life without her as mine. It seemed like she had accepted to be mine. I could see it in her eyes. She was no longer fighting it. She wasn’t faking it anymore.
Maybe it was not love. It was something like admiration.
But then again, I could be overthinking things. In fact, I was beginning to sound like a lovesick puppy.
"Snap out of it Jace," I muttered aloud, cautioning myself.
This whole thing was getting out of hand.
I sipped on my cup of coffee, letting the hotness burn my tongue a bit. Shutting my eyes, I sighed. I needed to let myself relax for once. I was burnt out, facing one problem or the other. It was exhausting to be me. I wasn’t sure anyone else understood that.
All they saw was a hardened gangster with a heart of stone. They didn’t know the struggles I faced underneath that hard exterior.
~
Tomas’ call jolted me out of my afternoon nap. Of all times.
It had taken so much to get me into this sleep. Why did he have to interrupt.
"What is it , Tomas?" I groaned. I just needed some peace and quiet. I really should have put my phone on Do Not Disturb.
He sounded apologetic. "Boss I know you’re on vacation but I just had to..."
"Out with it." I said impatiently.
"Enzo was spotted around Europe with Lorenzo."
I went quiet for a bit.
That asshole. I knew he was up to something. I couldn’t even be surprised.
"Does anyone know where I am currently?" I asked.
"What?"
I grunted. He immediately understood that I did not want to repeat myself.
"No."
"Good. I need you to leak a fake location and when Enzo or Lorenzo try to get me, I need you to give them a message from me,"
I went ahead and doled out the instructions on how I wanted this to turn out.
"On it boss."
"Now don’t disturb me again until I’m back in New York." I instructed.
"Enjoy your honeymoon." He said teasingly.
I smiled and hung up.
I definitely would.