Page 105 of Tears of Ink

When his eyes meet my own, my heart cracks a little. “I told you, Faith, this family is fucked-up”

She was right. He is going to leave, and the last couple of days have been for nothing. “So you are giving up. Running back to London with your tail between your legs?”

“It’s not running away, it’s called going to work.”

“What did she say? Did she threaten Tabitha?”

He shakes his head. When he steps from the bed, his tall powerful body dwarfs mine. His hands hold my skin, his lips a brush away from mine. “I’m sorry, Faith, but it’s over.” It’s nothing more than a whisper and then he’s gone.

And inside I want to die. I told him everything. Gave him everything, broke every rule.

This was never meant to be anything, so why the hell does this hurt so much?

C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - O N E

“I’m just putting this out there.” Abi gives me one of her I know all the shit stares down the camera. Even fuzzy and held with a shaking hand her glare is powerful.

“What?” I groan and roll back onto the grass. It’s been a long day. It’s been a long few days. The afternoon session is finished and after a quick clean up with Steers, Lewis, and Tabs, I’ve headed out for some alone time. This house is an unhealthy place to be.

“I think he’s protecting you. If his dragon of a mother is teasing your future prospects, saying that someone’s coming to see your work from the fucking Tate. I mean come on, Faith, it’s the Tate Modern —you drool in that place for hours—then I’m gonna put money on the fact he’s trying not to ruin that for you.”

I shake my head. “He’s saving himself from being cut off. That’s all.”

“I don’t believe it. That guy was so hot on you, he was almost melting the room. That stare, those eyes. Jeez, he was melting my panties just being in the same room.”

“Abs!”

She pokes her tongue out but grins. “It’s true. Hey, Adam, Elijah was melting your jocks too wasn’t he with those swoon intense eyes.”

The camera spins until I’m facing Adam who’s sprawled on the sofa clutching a bottle of beer. “Totally. Faith, us dudes don’t talk about this stuff, but that guy had it bad.”

“You two are really bloody annoying.” I scowl and drag on my cigarette. It seems that while my uncle and father-figure dying of cancer is enough to put me off smoking, Elijah Fairclough leaving me without a backwards glance is beyond the limits of my willpower.

I blow smoke and stare at the clouds. “So now I’m stuck here, in this hellish prison.”

Abi laughs, the phone shaking even more until my stomach rolls like I’m on a ship at sea. “A prison? It’s a fucking castle, Faith, get a grip.”

“You wait. Which reminds me, would you two be able to get a babysitter for the 18th of August?”

“Why?” She sits up a little straighter. “Don’t get me all excited here, Faith.”

A wide grin spreads across my face, despite the gaping hole that seems to be residing on a permanent basis in my chest. “I thought you might like to come to the ball? I could do with some friendly back up.”

Abi squeals but then squints at me. “You don’t need back up, although of course we are coming. You’re Faith Hitchin, you survive everything, even being in that place.”

I nod. She’s kind, too kind to me really, considering I’m such a stroppy bitch. “That I do.” Flicking the screen of my phone, I check the time. “Speaking of which, I’m going to ring that gallery who had some of my stuff, see if they’ve made any sales.”

Abi nods and waves her fingers at the camera. “See you. I’m going to look for a ball dress. What sort of thing are you wearing?”

I hesitate. Jennifer had said that Saskia woman would take care of it. Whether that was still happening after I slept with her son I didn’t know.

Oh well. I can dress myself.

I hang up and then double check the time before calling another number. It’s answered on the fifth ring. “Whitlocks.”

“Oh, hello, is Damien there?”

There’s a muffle down the phone and then the sound of someone passing it over. “Damien speaking.”