Page 21 of Eternal Craving

No, not him.

She couldn’t have chosen a friend of Roelle’s…my enemy.

But at least Alicia was alive. The thought of seeing her again filled me with hope.

Still, this man wasn’t capable of kindness.

“Where is she?”

“In Vigo. The way I see it, you’re benefiting from this transaction.”

“I want to see her.”

“Perhaps.”

I tried to conceal my panic.

“I warned Roelle, but he wouldn’t listen. I told him you were trouble.”

“I worked hard for him.”

“Daumia, he never paid you. You were his slave.”

His words hit me hard; perhaps there was some truth to this, or perhaps my suffering was well-earned.

“He was a coward like you, Senator.”

“I’ll see to it that Alicia is given as a gift to the soldiers.”

A flash of rage surged through me with a jolt of pure hatred. Without thinking, I lunged forward and seized him by the lapels, thrusting him back against the outside wall.

His head struck the masonry.

“If anything happens to me…”

I pulled back, regaining my composure.

He straightened his jacket.

Cornelius appeared in the doorway and signaled to us.

I nodded at Cornelius and then said, “We’re finished here.”

“Then you agree to my terms?” Felipe asked.

Cornelius motioned for us to hurry.

“You’ve been summoned by Father,” he shouted. “The entertainment’s about to begin.”

His timing might have saved me from doing the unthinkable. My sister was still with this man, and only he knew her whereabouts.

Felipe turned to me and whispered, “A dispatch from the king will be sent to you.”

I stared at him. “Dispatch?”

He gave me a smug smile. “I’ll have my lawyer draw up the papers that secure my share in Roelle’s ranch.” He walked away and followed Cornelius back into the house, telling him, “As I recall, you promised me the girl after the dance.”

“Come see your prize,” Cornelius said brightly.