Chapter 17 - 21
Landen POV
I bring the glass to my lips for a sip. "And you’re sure?"
"Positive," Henry, my PI confirms. "She’s clean. No exotic trips, expensive shopping sprees or scandals of any kind. The media loves her and they have good reason to. The charity work she’s done has helped thousands of people. And the fundraisers she’s hosted pumped out millions for international projects. I’m telling you, Mr Vacheron. She’s an angel on earth."
I don’t believe in Angels. "And you sure there is no one she’s involved with?"
I spot Avara in the distance, weaving past white-clothed tables.
"Other than your brother, no. I’ve noticed Grayson Adler, son of Governor Adler, is pretty fond of her, but it’s clearly platonic. Nothing interesting worth mentioning."
"I have to go, Mother Teresa arrived." I end the call. "Avara," I announce, injecting excitement into my voice that somehow comes out scathing. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you." I drop my phone face down on the table.
She musters an uncomfortable smile. My eyes skim over her. She has her sun-singed walnut-brown hair plaited in a crown braid, wearing an off-shoulder pastel-pink dress with a floral print. Brandless. Come to think of it, she never wears branded clothes like Saint Laurent or Givenchy. But maybe she’s just the subtle Mark Zuckerberg types. Loves making money but doesn’t need to showcase it.
"I’d be lying if I said the invitation didn’t surprise me." She pulls out the chair opposite from me and sits down, setting her bag by her feet. "Why did you want to meet? Did you want to apologize in person?"
A laugh escapes me, fading out with the salt-scented wind. We are seated on the outside deck of a deluxe waterfront restaurant with an inner port fringed by yachts. Pathetic paddle boats compared to my father’s selection of superyachts.
"Apologize for what?"
A hybrid look of horror and outrage crosses her face. "Threatening me, after you choked me."