Filed to story: A Matter of Sin and Love Novel Read Free Online
‘I can show you the evidence, if you like. It’s been collected over years.’
‘No. Thank you.’ Elena didn’t want to read the statements. She knew, deep inside, that it was true. She could ask her father, of course. He might not even deny it, might try to brazen it out.
She’d understood for years that George Morrison wasn’t a father to be proud of. What she knew of his business dealings didn’t impress her, and then there was Rob’s sudden decision not to work for him, and his absolute refusal to explain why. Elena knew he’d discovered something in their father’s schemes he couldn’t countenance.
‘Elena, are you okay?’
It hurt to breathe. It hurt to think. It hurt, when she looked at Christian, to see that, despite his concern, he still stood aloof, keeping distance between them.
The truth lay between them. It was dark and abhorrent and it explained everything. Why he’d approached her. A distraction for her father.
An instrument of revenge.
Elena’s breath seized as pain pierced her chest.
‘Elena!’ Christian moved towards her but she put her palm up.
‘Don’t,’ she croaked. ‘I’m fine.’
She was anything but. She doubted she’d be okay ever again. But she couldn’t bear for him to touch her.
Had Christian seduced her just to turn the screws tighter on her father? To make his revenge sweeter?
Call her a fool, but she couldn’t believe it. Christian was relentless and tough, but he wasn’t cruel. Their passion had been real. After the way Christian’s mother had been used by men, Elena couldn’t imagine him using sex as a weapon in his schemes.
But Elena had been a convenient pawn in his plot. He’d kept her onside so as not to spoil the charade of a wedding. She looked at the white flounces trembling around her feet.
Whatever they’d shared was over now.
He had no need for her any more.
As for a future for them—her breath snared. How could there be? She was his enemy’s daughter. That would always lie between them.
‘You look like you need a drink.’
Still Christian kept his distance but Elena read the hollow look in his eyes. That was what finally stiffened her resolve.
‘So do you.’
Christian shrugged. Facing Elena with the truth was every bit as bad as he’d feared. He couldn’t drag his eyes from her, half-sitting on the wide arm of the chair. Her eyes looked bruised and the bright dress she clamped to her breast only emphasised the pain drawing her features tight.
Yet she kept her chin up, ready to deal with whatever else he might reveal. She really was something. Strong—unbelievably strong and decent and caring. Funny and gentle and passionate.
Her mother must have been an amazing woman to have produced a daughter like her despite Morrison’s influence.
‘Can I get you something?’
She nodded. ‘Something strong.’
‘Whisky? Brandy?’
‘Vodka. A double.’
Her chin rode even higher at his questioning look. Who was he to question? Wasn’t he craving alcohol to deaden the feeling he’d destroyed something precious with his revelations?
Christian turned away, grateful for something to do. Behind him came the rustle of fabric. She must be getting more comfortable, sitting properly on that chair. Good.
His fingers didn’t work properly and it took him a while to fumble the lid off the bottle and pour their drinks.
‘I’m sorry to have shocked you.’ The words sounded trite but it was true. He regretted causing her pain, even though she deserved to know the truth.
‘Here. This should help.’ He swung around, two glasses in his hands, then stopped, staring.
On the floor where Elena had been was a mound of white—her discarded dress. She must have stepped out of it and walked, naked from the room. Belatedly Christian registered the sound of movement overhead. She was in his bedroom.
His fingers tightened on the glasses.
He needed to talk with her, find out what, if anything, could be salvaged from the wreck of their relationship.
Except she’d made her feelings clear. She hadn’t even wanted to share a drink with him. No doubt she couldn’t bear the sight of him. He was the harbinger of doom, the man who’d destroyed her father and shattered any remaining illusions she might have had about Morrison. He was the man who’d used her to further his schemes. He’d had no compunction about leading her on and making use of her.
No wonder she’d walked out on him.
And the dress on the floor?
He looked at the gleaming pile of pure white with its sprinkle of stardust. He’d seen Elena in it and his heart had shuddered to a stop. Not just because she was beautiful, but because he recognised how much he wanted her.
She was his. He felt it in the very marrow of his bones.
Christian lifted one glass and downed the double vodka, grimacing.
It took everything he had not to race up the stairs. She needed time. He owed her that at least.
His eyes turned back to the glimmering white dress on the floor, feeling as if one touch from him would mark its purity.
Elena was a world away from him. What could she possibly want with him now the truth was out?
Christian sank into a chair rather than follow his instinct and confront her. He had to allow her some privacy and dignity while she came to grips with what she’d learned.
He lifted the second glass and drank deeply. The neat alcohol burned his throat but didn’t touch the arctic freeze at his heart.
He made himself sit for a long time, listening to the occasional faint sounds as Elena paced above him. Finally, when he could wait no longer, he put down the empty glasses and rose.
The empty bedroom surprised him, as did the leap of emotion in his chest. By the time he’d tried the bathroom and walk-in wardrobe and found them empty of Elena, not even a stray hairclip remaining, a clammy hand had closed around his hammering heart.
Fear. Not fear for his physical safety as he’d felt in prison, but fear like he’d known as a child. Fear that he’d lost the one person in the world who truly mattered.
Four months later
THE DELIVERY CAME out of the blue. No note. No return address. The label was typed, impersonal.
But Christian knew.
It was from Elena. He sensed it.
Or was he kidding himself again? He’d put off leaving the Sydney house, even though he didn’t have the stomach for a new project here. But he hadn’t relocated back to Melbourne. Nor had he discovered anything to capture his interest.
Business didn’t satisfy. Nor did any of the outdoor sports he usually revelled in.
His staff thought he was ill. But there was no medicine that could fix what ailed him.
More than once he’d picked up the phone to hire an investigator and locate Elena. It would be simple. He knew what part of Sydney she lived and worked in.
But then he’d remember her disapproval of such invasive tactics. He’d given his word he wouldn’t do that to her. That promise chafed him now, when he needed so desperately to see her.
If she wanted to contact him she’d call. She had his numbers, and his address. After what he’d done it had to be her choice.
Her silence showed what choice she’d made.
Christian wrestled with the protective padding inside the delivery box and swore as he cut himself. He stopped and drew a breath. His hands were shaking. All because he imagined this was from her!
Maldición! What had he come to?
He grimaced and ripped the padding away. He stared. Pain banded his chest as he dragged in oxygen, then held it, shock making him forget to breathe.
Before him stood an ebony and walnut side table, subtly modern in its simplicity. Yet it gleamed with the patina only age and loving care could create.
Christian reached out to stroke the top, then the curve of one leg. The old wood was like satin. He shut his eyes and remembered the lush feel of that white bridal gown beneath his fingers and, even more exquisite, the softness of Elena’s bare skin.
Had she worked on this table herself, polishing where he touched? Or had she sent it to a professional to restore? Opening his eyes, he peered at the inlaid top. There was no sign of the damage that had marred the table when Elena found it. He remembered it vividly, the day in the Blue Mountains she’d taken him antiques shopping. She’d been so happy, her eyes dancing with excitement. Her pleasure had been catching.