Page 79 of Goldflame
It still feels surreal to have it back. Last night, Lorenzo had pressed it into my palm with a gentle smile. “I grabbed it when Julian dragged you away at the reception,” he’d explained. “Thought you might want it back.”
I’d immediately texted Eleanora:
I’m safe. Don’t worry. Can’t explain now but I’m okay.
Now, nearly fourteen hours later, she finally responds:
What the FUCK, Aurelia? I heard Julian SOLD you to Lorenzo Mancini. I’m coming to get you. I think I know where he lives.
My heart clenches. Sweet, fierce Eleanora. Always ready to charge into battle for me, even when she doesn’t understand what war we’re fighting.
But why did she take so long to respond? What was she doing? She’s always replied to me ASAP, even while having a booty call with Emeric.
Something’s been changing in her life, but I’m too busy with my own shit to really investigate.
I hit call because the last thing I need is for her to come here.
She answers on the first ring. “Aurelia? Oh my God, are you okay? I swear to God, I’ll kill?—”
“Hey, breathe,” I cut in. “I’m okay. I promise.”
“Julian sold you,” she hisses, rage vibrating through every syllable. “Like you were property. Like you were nothing.”
The truth of it stings, but I push past it. “I know. But I’m safe now. It’s complicated, but I’m safe.”
“How can you be sure?”
“I just am.” I swallow hard, knowing I can’t tell her the truth. “Listen, you can’t tell anyone we spoke. Not yet. Promise me. This isveryimportant.”
She sighs. “Fine. I promise. But I feel so fucking helpless. First you disappear, then Emeric takes on all these new responsibilities and leaves the country. I don’t even know if he’s coming back. I’m just… alone.”
The raw vulnerability in her voice cuts through me. I really wish I could be there for her now. “I’m sorry. I miss you.”
“At least I have Bianca to hang out with sometimes,” she offers, a weak attempt at lightness.
“She’s nice?”
“She’s okay. She talks about her fiancé way too much. I miss you too.” She hesitates. “Promise you’re okay? For real?”
“I’m okay.” And for the first time in weeks, it’s not entirely a lie.
I’m about to end the call when a thought strikes me. Does Eleanora know about her arranged marriage to Lorenzo? The way he explained it, their families hadalready agreed to terms. Surely she must know and just hasn’t told me.
“Hey? Um, have you ever met Lorenzo?”
“No, only heard of him. Why?”
My stomach drops.God, she’s in for a surprise.“Just curious. He’s not a bad guy.”
“Uh, okay. Well, he better be nice to you or I’ll murder him.”
I smile—she totally would. “I should go,” I say quickly. “I’ll call again when I can.”
After we disconnect, I sink back against the pillows, my mind racing. It sounds like she doesn’t know about the arranged marriage, but why wouldn’t anyone tell her yet? Unless she’s just hiding the truth from me?
Nothing makes sense anymore. Everyone has secrets—Lorenzo, Valentine, Adrian. And possibly, Eleanora.
I force myself out of bed, needing movement to clear my jumbled mind. The bathroom is stocked with everything I could need—soft towels, expensive soaps, even makeup and a hairdryer. I strip and stand under the shower’s hot spray, letting it pound against my skin.
