by Juniper Hart
New client. Reyes.
The door opened, and the familiar voice filled her ears, the very same that she had heard every night in her dreams for the past six months. “Désolé pour le derangement—”
Sage gasped, reeling back in shock and cutting him off in mid-sentence.
“Cruz!” she choked. “It’s you!”
14
“Sage!”
Cruz and Sage gaped at one another for a long moment, neither certain of how to react. Suddenly, she turned to leave, her vision clouding with consternation.
“There must be a mistake,” she muttered, pulling her coat across her front and turning away. “Sorry.”
“No, wait!” Cruz called beseechingly. “Don’t go!” She paused, her back still to him, and he could tell she was deliberating her next move. “Sage, please come in. You have no idea how long I’ve been looking for you. I can’t believe you’re standing on my doorstep. I knew we’d be brought back together again!”
Cruz stepped into the hall, carefully sidestepping the cleaning supplies in the hallway. He could hardly believe he was not dreaming as he placed his hand on Sage’s turned shoulder. What were the chances that she was standing in this hallway, commissioned to clean his apartment? How was this happening?
If there was any doubt that they were supposed to be together, it had completely evaporated as he stared at her. He thought of the older blonde who had left the advertisement in his door and how she had reminded him of Sage.
Are they related? Is that why she made me think of her? He had called her for a reason, and now he knew why. We’re mates. Undeniably. She’s not going anywhere.
It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that the woman who had consumed his every waking thought for the past six months was about to walk out of his life again.
“Please, come in. I want to explain everything to you.”
Sage scoffed, the anger in her face tangible.
“Explain what? You don’t owe me an explanation,” she replied tightly, shifting her body slightly to peer at him. “We had our fun in Madrid. We both knew it wasn’t going to last beyond that.”
“I never thought that, and you think I left you without saying goodbye,” he told her.
“You did,” she said flatly. “I didn’t imagine that. But that doesn’t matter. I will have my stepmother send someone else to clean your apartment. This will be… awkward if I stay.” She continued toward the elevators, and Cruz hurried after her. She left the supplies exactly where she’d put them before knocking on the door.
“No, wait, please, Sage,” he called, catching up to her. “You can’t leave. At least not before we have had a chance to speak. Give me ten minutes. If you are still angry with me and wish to leave, I won’t stand in your way.”
Sage eyed him again, pulling her coat firmly around her, and then nodded slowly.
“Ten minutes,” she agreed, and Cruz exhaled in relief.
She has to know we’re connected, too, despite everything. This is too good to be true. The thought gave him a shiver of apprehension. Too good to be true is not good at all.
They made their way back into his penthouse condo. Cruz could feel her casting him a sidelong look.
“Sit down,” he urged, ushering her into the airy living room. The view of the Champs-Élysées was breathtaking, but he saw that Sage was not taking in the sights. She seemed ill at ease. “Let me take your coat,” Cruz offered, and Sage jumped.
“No!” she cried, clutching the lapels of the garment tightly. “Just… say what you have to say.”
Sighing, he sat across from her on a leather loveseat and stared into her blue eyes intently.
“I did not mean to leave you so abruptly in Madrid,” he told her earnestly. “But I did not have a choice.” A disbelieving smirk crossed over her lovely features.
“Let me guess. You got abducted by aliens? You work for the CIA, and they called you away on a secret mission?” she retorted sarcastically.
Cruz was ashamed to realize he was flattered by her hostility.
She has thought about me, too, he realized. That is why she is so angry.
“Sage, my name is Cruz Reyes.” He waited to see if his words had any affect on her, but there was no spark of recognition. “My father is Jett Reyes.” This time, a look of shock passed over her.
“Reyes Corporation, Jett Reyes?” she asked in incredulity. “Sheik Jett Reyes?” Reluctantly, Cruz nodded, and Sage’s eyes grew even wider as more understanding flooded her. “You’re the demon slayer!” she gasped. “Y-you’re the one who discovered aranium! You figured out how to kill demons!” She was rambling in her excitement, and he laughed with some embarrassment.
“Yes,” he answered heavily.
“Oh,” Sage whispered, her fair face almost translucent at the revelation. “H-how did I not figure this out before?” Cruz shrugged and laughed.
“I’ve been trying to keep a low profile,” he confessed. “I’m not seen that much.”
“I’ll say,” Sage breathed, paling at the realization.
“I was sent to Madrid to attend to some business, as you knew, but instead of doing what I was called to do, I disregarded my father’s wishes and did something behind his back. When you and I shut out the world, my father sent people to seek me out. I could not leave once they showed up at my suite. I thought it was best that they not know about you. If you knew my family, you’d understand why.”
Sage was quiet for a long moment, processing everything he had just said. When she did speak, Cruz heard the consternation in her tone.
“You could have called,” she said sourly, but a look of understanding seemed to cover her face.
“Yes, I imagine I could have found a moment to do that. I was embarrassed, and I did not know what to tell you without saying too much. I regretted what I did, Sage, but I did not do it purposely. I never imagined that I wouldn’t see you again for months. If I had thought that, I promise you, I would have called.”
“It’s all right,” she said quietly. “It’s done.” She stood up, and Cruz gaped at her in panic.
“Sage, I tried to call the airline and find you, but they wouldn’t give me any information. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the day we parted.”
“It doesn’t matter now, Cruz. I am not upset.” Even though there was certainly nothing in her tone that indicated that she was, he could hear the deep disappointment in her as she spoke.
“Where are you going? Stay and talk to me.” Sage shook her head, and Cruz realized there were tears in her eyes.
“I can’t,” she whispered miserably. “But… I wish you all the best in your life.” She swallowed and gazed at him.
“Please, do not leave so upset,” Cruz begged. “If you wish to go, I told you I would not stand in your way, but I feel like you do not wish to leave.”
Sage smiled sadly.
“If you weren’t who you are, I would stay,” she told him enigmatically. “But now I know there is no future for us. Your father, your culture will never allow it. I’m sorry I didn’t realize it before.”
“We’re mates! That supersedes any tradition!” Cruz cried indignantly, but he knew his words were empty. Fighting the sheik would be an upward battle if he had already promised another family that Cruz would marry their daughter. Cruz’s mind exploded into a dozen thoughts.
There must be a way that she and I can be together. I will find a way without my father knowing… He thought of his betrothed waiting for him at the Palace of Ara and shuddered. It would be a fantastical feat, but he could not bear the thought of losing Sage again. He just needed time to figure it out.
“Never mind my father,” he told her with more confidence that he felt. “He does not rule my dating life.”
Sage continued to stare at him, slowly releasing the coat from around her body.
“Does he rule who you father children with?” she asked, and Cruz watched in shock as her jacket fell away, revealing her pregnant stomach.
What have you done? You didn’t think this through, and now you have endangered everyone. Sage looked at herself in the bathroom mirror and almost laughed at her expression. Okay, you’re exaggerating. This is not 1800. The sheik probably doesn’t give a rat’s ass about who his son sleeps with. He is business-oriented. We just have to keep our relationship quiet and not cause a scandal, and I doubt the old man will care. Or at least, that was the mantra she was feeding herself in those moments.
But there were other things to consider. Like being on Helios’ hit list.
Don’t be ridiculous. That demon has slunk away into oblivion. He’s not coming back any time soon. She turned from the glass and opened the door to the hallway.
“Why is your luggage on your bed?” Her stepmother’s voice startled her, and Sage spun to face her.
“I…” She looked at the woman she had grown to love as a mother figure, and an inner voice warned her to disclose the minimum. How much would Micheline really understand? She was already fed up with her because she was pregnant. Nothing Sage said or did would make it better, but she could surely not make it worse.
“I have given it a lot of thought, and you’re right. This is much too full of a house for me and the baby to stay. I am renting a small flat in Paris.”
Micheline’s eyebrows almost touched the ceiling in shock.
“How on earth are you going to afford that?” she demanded.
“I have a bit of money saved,” Sage replied evasively, but she felt red tinge her face. Micheline’s eyes narrowed.
“Do you? Then why did you not exercise this option prior to coming here? Why did you not stay in New York? Or go to your father in New Jersey?”
Sage had never been more aware of how bad of a liar she was until that moment.
“I… It just isn’t going to work if I stay here,” she told her stepmother earnestly.
“And what will you do when that money runs out?” Micheline demanded. Sage could see that she was not sold on the story she had been fed. “You cannot come and go from here as you please. This is not a hostel, Sage.”
“I will not be back,” Sage retorted, unbidden tears springing to her eyes. This was not how a mother was supposed to respond, but Sage said nothing. Micheline had always been cold. It was something she had learned to accept long before. Still, the little girl in her yearned for her mother to embrace her and tell her that she would always have a home with her.
“I hope you know what you are doing,” Micheline told her, whirling to saunter away. “Because we all have to live with our choices and decisions, Sage.”
Me too, Sage thought, staring after her. I hope I know what I’m doing, too.
Cruz had wasted no time taking action upon learning of her situation. He had called a realtor friend and found her an apartment in less than an hour.
“I cannot have you stay here,” he had told her regretfully. “If my father gets wind of it…”
Sage had nodded quickly, her mind still spinning. She had been sure he would deny the baby, throw her out of the apartment, or worse. But he had done none of that, gathering her in his arms and whispering apologies to her. He had told her he would take care of her always, and by the time her stepmother had arrived to pick her up, Cruz’s apartment was no cleaner, but her future was much brighter.
“I can come back and clean this place for you,” she’d said, laughing as he saw her to the door. To her horror, he began to help her lug the vacuum toward the elevators. “No!” she’d cried. “I can do this.”
“You are pregnant. You shouldn’t be carrying this. Shame on your stepmother for allowing it.” Sage had been immediately defensive for some primitive reason.
“She cannot afford to feed her grown daughters and a baby. It is only fair that I pay my own way,” she had replied hotly, determined to defend Micheline. Cruz had blinked in surprise.
“Of course, but you should not be lifting, and I do not care what she says.”
To Sage’s chagrin and secret delight, he had brought the supplies to Micheline’s car, where she had scowled suspiciously at them both.
Sage entered her bedroom and continued to pack away her clothing.
“Sage, are you leaving?” Monique asked from the doorway. “You were supposed to have a baby for us to play with!” Collette appeared at her side, their eyes an identical shade of blue.
Sage looked up at them and smiled sweetly, gesturing for them to enter. They sauntered in, looking upset. “I am leaving, girls, but I have a little flat in the city. You can come and visit me any time you want.”
“If Maman will allow us,” Collette replied quietly, and Monique shot her younger sister a cautious look. Slowly, Sage walked along the side of the bed and closed the door.
“Well, maybe we won’t tell her,” she whispered, and the girls stared open-mouthed at her. Sage pressed her fingers to her lips and winked. “Your maman can’t keep you away from your niece or nephew, right? That isn’t fair. I promised you a baby to play with, and I will give you one in a few months.” Both girls looked excited and nodded eagerly.
“We have discussed it,” said Monique, “and we would like a little girl so we can dress her in frills and do her hair in plaits, oui?”
Sage laughed, feeling her voice catch in her throat as she looked at the little girls with affection. It was a shame she had never gotten to know them very well. But there was still time. And she was still in Paris—for now. She chatted with the girls for a few more minutes before Micheline called for them. Grimacing, they hurried off, stopping to smile conspiratorially at their oldest sister.
“When will you leave?” Monique asked in a loud whisper. “We want to say goodbye to you.”
“Tomorrow,” Sage sighed. “I leave tomorrow.”
The flat that Cruz had found for her was huge and furnished in the most expensive furniture she’d ever seen. Sage was instantly reminded of her apartment in New York City, although this apartment seemed to put her Park Avenue condo to shame.
“This is a bit much, isn’t it?” Sage asked, slipping in and out of the many rooms in awe. The building was old, and the structure was original, including a cast iron clawfoot tub.
“Is it? It seems rather small,” Cruz replied, watching her face. Sage laughed and turned to him, her smile fading slowly.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” she asked. “How will your father react? Will he ever be accepting of this situation, or will we have to hide this and our kid from the public forever?”
“One thing at a time, Sage. Right now, let us focus on getting you settled here and comfortable. I will speak to my father, and then we will know how he will react. I will not lie to you, he will not be pleased, but he must recognize that you are carrying his grandchild.” Cruz smiled at Sage coyly. “Do we know what the sex of the baby is yet?” Sage shook her head.
“I didn’t want to find out. I wanted it to be a surprise. Do you want to know?” He laughed and drew her into an embrace.
“No, I am fine with a surprise. After all, that has been what our relationship has been; one surprise after another.” Sage relaxed against him and rested her head on his chest. “I was just thinking that if you were having a boy, my father would be more forgiving.”
“Seriously?” She jerked her head back and looked at his face. Cruz shrugged and laughed, pulling her back.
“I am joking,” he replied, but as she stood in his arms, listening to his heartbeat, Sage got the sense that there was no amusement in his words. He had kept his thoughts hidden from her, but she felt his anxiousness. For the first time, the seriousness of the situation struck her fully in the face.
Am I in trouble? Is my baby in trouble? But it was impossible to feel anything other than safe and protected in Cruz’s arms. Even if it’s as fleeting as the last time.
15
The yacht was docked at the harbor on the Red Sea as Cruz stepped from the limo.
“Wait here,” he ordered Omar.
“A
s you wish,” the driver agreed, nodding, but Cruz could see something in his eyes.
He knows something, he thought, a stab of fear coursing through him. Or perhaps I am simply being paranoid.
“Cruz!” His mother appeared at the ramp, and he hurried to greet her affectionately.
“Mama!” he called, the heaviness he was feeling seeping from him as he boarded the boat. “I was not expecting you here.”
“When your father said you were coming, I could not stay away. I do not see enough of you, my son.” Cruz felt a fusion of guilt and love flow through him, and he kissed his mother’s olive cheek, taking her hand as she led the way inside. “Will you not come to the palace? Your siblings are anxious to see you.”
“I have pressing business to attend to in Europe,” he lied. Ara nodded.
“Of course, my son. You have much to do before the wedding. I tell your sisters to be patient, that soon you will be living in the palace, but that does not soothe them, I am afraid.” Cruz smiled and hung his head.
“That is why I have come, Mama,” he told her quietly. “I cannot return to the palace to live.”
Ara stopped and peered at him, her luminous brown eyes inquisitive. “Cruz?”
“My life is in Europe now, Mama. I cannot be expected to move back to the island. It makes no sense from a business standpoint.”
Ara stopped walking and faced her son seriously.
“Cruz, your father will not like this,” she told him solemnly. Cruz was well aware of how his father would feel.
The first step is telling him I am not leaving Paris. Then, when he has finally accepted that, I will inform him I will not marry Kalyn. Cruz knew he had a tall order to fill, but there was no other way. He had not told Sage about his impending marriage, for obvious reasons. There was no reason for her to know. He would call it off, and when enough time had passed, he would introduce Sage to his father. He would learn to accept his choice.