Fishing her phone out of her purse, Amara switched it on and waited impatiently as it rang in her ear.
“Hey,” Colin said, his voice groggy from sleep.
“I just landed.”
“I was trying to stay awake until you did, but I guess I fell asleep.”
“It’s late over there. Go back to sleep, I just wanted to let you know I was here.”
He exhaled harshly into the phone and Amara shivered as if she felt it on her skin. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too,” she said, smiling as she pressed her face into the phone to her ear to hear him more clearly.
“Come back to me,” Colin said with a groan that made her insides swish.
“I will. I promise.”
“Okay. Call me as soon as you know what you’re going to do and where you have to go. Please be careful, Mara. I already told Philip if anything happens to you, I’m going to make him pay.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Keep your phone on you.”
“I will.”
“I love you.”
Those three simple words knocked the breath out of her each time he said them.
“I love you too. So much,” she said, laughing when he groaned.
“Call me, Amara, don’t make me fly over there to bring you back here. You know I will.”
Amara laughed, knowing damn well that he would. She was counting on it. By the time she spotted Joshua, who was waiting for her in baggage claim, Amara was ready to get everything over with. They exchanged pleasantries as he led her to the car. When he opened the door to the back seat, she wasn’t surprised to find Philip there. Speaking into his phone, he held his hand up as Amara scooted in beside him.
“How was your flight?” he asked as he ended the call.
“It was fine.”
“Good. Because the contents of the account have been moved and we’re not sure where; we need to head to Iran as soon as tomorrow.”
Amara’s stomach knotted up at the thought. “What do you think he’ll say when he sees me?”
“He is aware of your mother’s death, so I think this will go smoothly.”
“I just want to get this over with already,” she said, blowing out a breath as she leaned her head back onto the seat.
“You have no idea how much I want to get this over with, Amara.” The way he said it, with a distant tone in his voice, beckoned her attention. He was rubbing his forehead as if to relieve a headache.
“Why are you and Samuel always at each other’s throat?” she asked, gaining a surprised laugh from him.
“We’re not always at each other’s throats.” Philip sighed, when Amara gave him a look. “Perhaps it’s because we’re so similar, or maybe because we’re brothers.”
Amara gaped at him and he chuckled.
“Brothers-in-law, same difference.” He shrugged. “We’ve known each other for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been in love with Valentina for just as long.”
“Valentina is his sister?”
He nodded, his face suddenly somber.
“Did she… is she alive?”
“Oh, yes, although she wants nothing to do with me.”
“Because of Méchant?”
“She never had a problem with Méchant. She always knew that was just about money for me, never the girls or the sex.”
Amara gave him a look, raising her brows.
“Well, I have to have fun too, and I’m a single man,” Philip said with a shrug.
“Courtney told me once that you were always pining after the same woman. Is it her?”
Philip rolled his eyes. “Yes.”
“But you divorced her?”
“No, she divorced me. There’s a difference. She served me divorce papers a week after she had a scare from one of my clients.” Amara stared at him, horrified, as he spoke. “It was a crazy lady who thought she and her husband had a connection with me. I’ll spare you the details.”
“Please do,” Amara said, giving him a look of disgust. She’d already heard he couldn’t function unless it was in a threesome, and Amara would rather not hear about it. She could tolerate Philip now, but only barely. “So you never tried to get her back or anything? You just moved on… with Courtney?”
“Courtney? I’m a bastard, but even I wouldn’t do that to Samuel. Well, not again, anyway.” Amara looked away from him as he smiled as he said that last part. “And I did not try to get her back, because Valentina isn’t the kind of woman you make unrealistic promises to, and I would have been lying if I told her something like that wouldn’t happen again.”
They reached the apartment building but continued their conversation as they walked into the lobby.
“And now it’s too late?”
“This is my last job of this caliber, but…” Philip shrugged as he walked into the elevator.
“Why are you smiling?” he asked, looking at her in confusion.
“Because if nothing else, at least I get to see Courtney again.”
As soon as Philip turned the door knob, they heard Courtney screech in excitement. Amara felt like she was… home.
“It’s so good to see you,” Courtney squealed, shooting at her like a torpedo.
“You too,” Amara said laughing.
They pulled away from each other and grinned. Courtney had cut her long blonde hair up to her shoulders, which made her look different, but her blue eyes as were as big and beautiful as ever.
“You look so good!” Courtney said. “Let’s go catch up! Hi Phil, I’ll go by your room later so we can catch up too,” she added, winking at him.
As Courtney led her away by her hand and they disappeared into her room, Amara gave her a confused look.
“What?” Courtney asked.
“Do you have sex with him?”
Courtney laughed. “Nope. He wouldn’t touch me. I just like to flirt with him because it makes him uncomfortable.” She pulled Amara onto her bed. “Tell me everything. How are you feeling these days? How are things with Colin?”
They fell into an easy conversation, the way they always had. The pair talked until Amara was too tired to keep her eyes open. She fell asleep to Courtney’s promise that they would finish catching up the next day.
The bed shook beneath her, rocking her body side to side vigorously until Amara’s eyes snapped open. She groaned and squinted as strands of gold fell over her face like strands of wheat. Propping herself up on one elbow, Amara used her free hand to push a laughing Courtney out of her face.
“Finally! Sleeping Beauty rises!” she said as Amara rolled her eyes.
“If I was a Disney Princess, Sleeping Beauty wouldn’t be the one I’d pick, and get out of my face. I’m tired,” Amara said with a groan as she fell back onto her pillow.
“You’re right; you’d make the perfect Princess Jasmine. That can totally be your Halloween costume.”
“Thanks for the approval—maybe we can go trick or treating together,” Amara said, rolling her eyes again.
“Whatever. You’re so cranky in the mornings. Colin’s called you like a hundred times.” Courtney laughed, shaking her head at the way Amara nearly jumped out of bed. “Geez, if I would have known that was gonna get you up, I would have used it sooner. You want to go get breakfast at our usual spot?”
“Sure. Let me call him back so he doesn’t freak out, and then I’ll shower.”
Court snickered as she plopped down on the bed. It was then that Amara noticed she was wearing high heel boots and a loosely fitted top tucked into a pair of skinny jeans.
“How long have you been up?” Amara asked as the phone began to ring in her ear.
“An hour. Couldn’t sleep.”
“Hey,” Colin said, his rough voice incinerating the butterflies in her stomach.
“Hey,” she said, sure he could hear the smile in her voice. “I just woke up.” He exhaled in relief.
“I was worried.”
“I’m fin
e, Colin.”
“Mara, I’m not huge on worrying. I’m just going to fly over there. This shit is going to kill me if I stay here.”
“What? I’m fine! You have work. There’s no need for that!”
“Babe, I don’t think you understand. I’m going fucking crazy. I’ll stay out of your way—you won’t even know I’m there—but I’ll feel better knowing that I’m nearby just in case.”
“Just in case what? I’m fine. And we’re leaving the country again soon, in case you don’t remember. Aaand, I’ll be back home in less than—”
“I looked into those files,” he said, interrupting her. “On Courtney.”
Amara’s gaze locked in on her friend who was sitting on the bed leafing through a magazine, pretending she wasn’t eavesdropping on her conversation. Sorting through her clothes in the open bag sitting on the cabinet, she picked out a couple of things and walked into the en suite bathroom. “And?”
“Are you with her right now?” he asked, his voice low, although not quite a whisper.
“Yes.”
He let out another harsh exhale that Amara she felt hot on her neck and caused her to close her eyes with a shiver. “I leave tonight. I’ll be staying at the Hotel du Louvre.”
“Colin…”
“Mara, stop. I’m going. There’s nothing you can tell me that will make me not take that flight, so save your breath.”
She leaned down to prop her elbows on the cabinet and sighed. “Fine, but I don’t approve.”
“I’m okay with that.”
Amara ground her teeth to keep from snapping at him. He was going to do it anyway, whether she liked it or not. She could kick, scream, and moan, and the only thing it would do was amuse Colin, so Amara held it in.
“Fine, but you can’t be showing up at Méchant or anything. Stay in your hotel.”
Amara felt herself soften at the low rumbled sound of his chuckle. “Yes, boss.”
“I’m serious, Colin. Please stay out of this.”
“Okay, Amara,” he said, letting out a long sigh.
“Call me when you’re on your way to the airport. I love you.”
“Love you too,” he said. She was about to press down on the end button when she heard his voice again. “Mara, please be careful around Courtney.”
“Why?” she asked in a whisper, her heart beginning to tumble uneasily.
“Just trust me. I’ll be there soon. Until then… I never thought I’d say this… but stick to Philip or Samuel if you see them.”
“Samuel’s not even here,” she said frowning.
“He’ll be there soon.”
“How do you know?”
“I sent him on the flight right behind yours.” She gaped at her reflection in the mirror, but before she could fire a million accusatory questions, Colin spoke again, “Before you say anything, I had to. He hasn’t let me down before.”
“How much did you pay him?”
“That’s not something you need to worry about.”
“How much, Colin?”
“Doesn’t matter. Think of the highest number your mind can conjure, and your life is worth more to me than that. Stop asking questions and follow directions.”
“You’re being an ass.”
“Just the way you like me.”
Amara showered quickly and dressed similar to Courtney, in wedged boots, skinny jeans and a loose blouse. It was windy out, but not cool enough for a sweater yet. They walked, their arms linked, to the little café they’d frequented when Amara was living there. Devon, the driver, followed them on foot per Courtney’s request. “You can never be too safe,” she said, raising an eyebrow at Amara, which she shook her head at.
“How are you doing?” Courtney asked over her cup of coffee, her blue eyes filled with compassion.
“Honestly? A little relieved. That’s terrible, right?” Amara said, whispering. “I mean, I miss my mother so much, but she was in so much pain. It makes me feel selfish when I wish she would have stuck around longer.”
“You’re the best daughter she could have asked for,” Courtney said, smiling sadly as she squeezed Amara’s hand. “You look well, though. You look happy.”
“I feel happy.”
“So things are working out with the boy after all,” she said with a wink.”
“I guess they are.”
“I knew they would.”
“Have you spoken to Samuel at all?”
Courtney made a face and shrugged. “Here and there. That’s not going to work out.”
“Why not?”
“Well, for starters, his kids would hate me because we’re almost the same age, and how awkward would that be? And… I don’t know. I think it ran its course.”
Amara frowned. “Does he feel that way?”
“I think so. I think he’s dating someone—an old friend of his.”
“You think?”
Courtney cocked her head and gave her an obvious look. “I stalked her on the Internet and she’s posted pictures of them together. They look happy.”
“I’m sorry,” Amara said, squeezing her friend’s hand. “He’s an asshole anyway.”
Courtney grinned. “Totally.”
The friends spend the day that way, walking the city and talking crap. Amara accompanied her to Méchant, where Courtney needed to drop off some paperwork and speak to Vivienne. Amara waited in the downstairs bar, unable to walk up the narrow, dark stairs and relive the memories there. By the time they were finished, it was dusk. The orange sky illuminated them as they walked home, still arm in arm and laughing as Devon trailed behind. Back in the apartment, Philip appeared as they shared a bottle of wine over dinner. As he questioned them, asking about their day, Amara checked her phone and found a missed call from Colin. Courtney and Philip were talking about one of her clients in Méchant, so Amara excused herself to call Colin back. As she spoke to him, she heard Philip say he was going to his room and Courtney offered to take him something to drink. Courtney avoided Amara’s eyes as she walked back to her seat, and poured herself another glass of wine.
Courtney was giggly and loud as she walked to her room when they finished the bottle. Plopping down on the bed, Amara sighed and fluffed her pillow.
“You going to sleep?” Courtney asked.
“You going to fuck Philip now?” Amara countered with the raise of an eyebrow.
“I already told you we don’t do that!”
“You say that, but I don’t know…” Amara said, her hands flailing in the air, mimicking her friend’s previous gesture.
“Well, we don’t.”
“Not even now that Samuel moved on?”
“Especially not now that Samuel moved on. That gives Philip one less reason to keep me around since he can’t make him jealous anymore. Either way, I think their little feud is over.”
“Yeah? Why do you say?”
“Seems like they found one thing they both agree on,” she said, shrugging.
“Which is?”
Courtney paused for a moment. “For once, I honestly don’t know.”
“Are you always going to work here?”
“Probably not.” Courtney’s eyes drifted down to the sheets. Amara waited in silence, but her friend didn’t elaborate. Instead she stood and walked to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Sleep tight.”
“You too,” she said as Courtney opened the door. “Hey, Court?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for today. I needed it.”
Courtney’s eyes glistened as she nodded sharply and shut the door behind her without another word.
THERE WERE VOICES all around her, loud voices speaking in a different language. Amara tried to open her eyes, but they were too heavy. It felt like she was fighting her body for each blink. She caught a glimpse of one of the men’s feet, sandy brown feet were wedged inside of a black sandal. The long ivory gown he wore swayed rhythmically as if he was performing a chant above her. What were they saying? What were they doing? Sh
e couldn’t hear them through the pounding inside her head. They seemed to be walking in circles around her as they spoke. Amara blinked again, praying her eyes would catch up to her mind. The voices got lower, their feet shifting and stomping away from her as her eyes started to cooperate. Amara was still in her bedroom in Paris, she realized as she looked at the door. Just before it closed, Amara was able to see one familiar face. “It’ll be easier this way.” Amara heard Courtney say. Opening her mouth, she tried to call out, but a groan was all that escaped her lips and, as it did, the door shut and her vision went black once more.
When Amara was able to open her eyes again, she squinted against a bright light, as she realized she wasn’t in her Paris bedroom any longer. She sat up quickly, cringing at the pain in her head. It felt like a sledgehammer had been used on her skull. The room was cold and had cream-colored, bumpy walls that were uneven, like a cave. A shiver ran through Amara as she sat up in the bed, her hands gliding over rich, purple silk covers. There was a gold vanity across from her with three mirrors on it and once she was sitting upright, her reflection took up the full length of the middle one.
Amara’s heart began beating loudly in her ears and she gulped audibly as she began to panic. Although she was still dressed in the jeans and pink button down shirt she’d been wearing, she was also wearing a black hijab over her head, covering her hair. Her big amber eyes widened further as she stared at her reflection. Where was she? Where the hell was she? Amara scrambled out of the bed, tripping on a loose end of the sheets and landing on the hard marble floor with a thump. At the sound of voices outside the room, Amara gathered herself quickly and stood, flinching at the feel of the cold floor beneath her naked feet. The door to the room opened and Samuel walked in, closing the door behind him.
The Sinner's Bargain (Contracts & Deceptions Book 2) Page 19
