by Penelope Sky
Ariel was quiet.
“Can you come to the castle?”
“I want to work it out with Crewe more than anything, but I don’t think I can watch him kick me out again. It broke my heart enough the first time.”
“We have to try. Crewe is stubborn, but if you give him enough time, he’ll come around.”
“I can be there in twenty minutes.”
“Perfect. I’ll tell Dunbar to put you in the office, and I’ll come down with Crewe.”
She sighed over the phone. “I hope this goes well, but my expectations are low.”
“My expectations are high.”
21
Crewe
“We need to get out of this room.” After I got dressed, London pulled me by the hand into the hallway.
“Do we?” I asked seriously. “Food is delivered to us whenever we want. We get plenty of exercise. And we’re naked all the time.”
“We have all night. Come on.” Hand in hand, we took the stairs together to the ground floor. Dunbar looked at me, but he didn’t wear a look of contempt for London. After my misery and blackout, he obviously thought London’s presence was essential.
London headed for my office.
I didn’t care about work right now. The business could wait until I started to care again. Without Ariel, the work was seriously piling up. It was so overwhelming I didn’t even want to bother. I’d need to get a replacement for her, but I didn’t want to deal with that either. “I hope the only reason we’re going in there is to fuck on my desk.”
“We’ll see.” She walked inside first then shut the door once I was inside.
I saw Ariel sitting on the leather sofa, in her jeans and t-shirt. Her glasses were gone because she was wearing contacts. When she looked at me, she wore the same expression of sadness that she did the last time we spoke. I distinctly told her I never wanted to see her again, so she must be here because of London.
I glared at Ariel, just as pissed off as I was the last time I saw her.
“Crewe.” London grabbed my hand. “Let’s sit down.”
“I told you I never wanted to see you again. You thought that was a joke?” My fury burned right through my skin.
Ariel looked down.
“Crewe, calm down.” London pulled me to the couch and sat down. She patted the cushion beside her. “Take a seat.”
Furious, all I could was stare at her.
“Crewe,” she whispered. “Come on. Let’s be calm about this.”
“No.” I wasn’t going to be calm, not after the person I trusted most betrayed me.
“Then sit for me,” London said. “Please.”
Only London’s beautiful voice could get me to cooperate. I resisted for a second before I lowered myself into the chair.
London grabbed my hand, her engagement ring brilliant as the sunlight filtered through the large window. “I asked Ariel to come today. She resisted because she knew how upset you were, but I pressured her to join us. So, don’t be mad at her. And you better not be mad at me.”
I watched Ariel avoid both of our gazes. She never backed down from any kind of confrontation, but now she yielded the authority to me.
“Crewe, Ariel is an important person in your life—”
“Was an important person,” I corrected. “Now she’s a stranger to me.”
London squeezed my hand. “I want the two of you to work this out. I want her in our lives.”
I yanked my hand away. “How can you possibly say that? After what she did to both of us?”
“I can say it because we all make mistakes,” London said calmly. “I betrayed you too. Then I came back. Joseph betrayed you, but you gave him another chance.”
“I never gave him another chance,” I argued. “I just put up with him for you.”
“Well, put up with her for me.”
This was ridiculous. “Why are you doing this, London? Ariel has been nothing but terrible to you. You don’t owe her a damn thing.”
“She’s family, Crewe. She’s family to you.”
“Was,” I corrected again.
“And family has their ups and downs, but they always find their way back to each other.”
“It’s not like we had a disagreement about something petty,” I said. “She made the woman I love leave. She never accepted you. She went behind my back and betrayed me. That’s not the kind of thing you just forgive.”
“She thought she was doing the best thing for you,” London said calmly.
“That’s bullshit, and you know it,” I snapped. “She was doing the best thing for herself.”
Ariel didn’t say a single word.
“Crewe, calm down,” London said. “I understand you’re upset—”
“Upset doesn’t begin to describe it.” When I looked at Ariel, I still wanted to strangle her.
“Ariel apologized,” London said. “She seems sincere about it. I’m sure nothing like this would ever happen again. She’d be so grateful to have another chance that she would be even more loyal to you.”
I shook my head. “Forget it.”
“Crewe.” Ariel finally met my gaze. She didn’t cry like last time, but she looked just as devastated. “If you don’t want me to be your business partner again, I understand. I don’t blame you for feeling this way. But…I don’t want to lose you. You’re my closest friend. I don’t think I can live my life without you in it in some capacity. I want to be at your wedding. I want you to be at mine. I love you…”
I was ashamed to admit her words got to me. Only a decade of respect and adoration could get me to soften. If I didn’t think the world of her, I wouldn’t have cared about anything she just said.
London stared at me, expecting me to say something.
But I couldn’t say anything.
“I’ve forgiven Ariel,” London whispered. “Ariel accepts me as the woman in your life. Our relationship isn’t perfect, but in time, I’m sure we can be great friends. If she and I can come to this understanding, I think the two of you can work this out.”
I stared at the floor.
“Crewe,” London pressed. “This is what I want. And I know you want it too.”
I raised my head and looked at Ariel. “You know how my family’s death has bothered me. You know how hurt I was when Josephine left me. You’re the last person I expected to turn against me…I can’t get over that.”
“I know,” Ariel whispered. “I really thought I was doing the best thing for you.”
“But you left,” I reminded her. “You left when I wouldn’t give up London.”
“Because I thought you were going into financial ruin,” Ariel said. “But now that I’ve gotten to know London, I realize she’s the most compassionate, smart, and selfless person on the planet. She would do anything for you, even if she doesn’t agree with it herself. You couldn’t find anyone better. I mean that.”
London looked at me. “We can take things slow. Trust doesn’t need to be rebuilt in a day. But if I can forgive her, so can you.”
I couldn’t believe I was doing this. “If you ever do anything to London again—”
“I’ll show her nothing but respect, Crewe,” Ariel said quickly. “I’ll treat her the way she deserves to be treated. I’m not one to admit when I’m wrong, but I was very wrong about her.”
“Okay, I’ll give you another chance. But this wouldn’t have happened without London.”
Ariel took a deep breath, her eyes watering. “You have no idea how grateful I am.”
We sat in awkward silence, sitting on opposite couches and staring at one another.
London let go of my hand and excused herself from the room. “I’ll give you two a minute…”
Ariel and I didn’t speak. Everything had already been said, but the heavy tension still remained. It would probably be awkward like this for a long time.
Ariel cleared her throat. “I guess I’ll start again tomorrow, if that’s okay.”
I nodded, unsure what els
e to say.
“I’ll make up for what I did,” she whispered. “Somehow, someway.”
“I hope so. You’re my closest friend. I’m angry with what you did…but you’ll always be important to me.”
“You’ve always been important to me too.”
When there was nothing left to say, I rose to my feet. “I’m going to spend the rest of the day with London. We’ll get back to work tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.” She stood up as well and looked at me.
I stared at her, but I didn’t know what else to do. It seemed like something was missing, but I didn’t know what. After what she did, I shouldn’t forgive her, but I found myself feeling better after we had the conversation.
Ariel came closer to me then moved her arms around my waist. She hugged me gently even though I didn’t reciprocate. “Congratulations, Crewe.” She dropped her embrace and turned away.
It was hard for me to stay angry when she seemed sincere. Ariel and I had so many memories that it was difficult not to think about them. If I let her go, I would be throwing away a friendship filled with a decade of happiness. “Thank you.”
London sat across from me on the terrace, avoiding my gaze because she knew this conversation wouldn’t be pleasant. “I know you feel like I ambushed you—”
“Because you did.”
“But I did it because you two needed to make up. What she did was wrong and I won’t defend her, but I think it’s best if we let it go. You two are great together. You shouldn’t throw away all those years when we can work it out now. She and I are on good terms.”
I knew London never would have done this if she weren’t so infatuated with me. She put aside her own feelings of irritation for a woman who constantly insulted her just to make me happy. I considered myself to be a very lucky man to know that kind of love. I had a woman who would do anything for me. And I would do anything for her. “Are you sure you want this?”
“Yes,” she said immediately. “I want us to start over—all of us.”
“You give her a lot more compassion than she ever gave you.”
“And now I’m certain she’s a more compassionate person because of it. So…are we okay?”
We would always be okay. “Yes, Lovely. Nothing can come between us.”
“Ariel will be back at work tomorrow?”
I nodded. “It’ll take a long time for the trust to come back…if it ever does. But our friendship is certainly there. Baby steps.”
“It’ll return to what it was in no time.”
There was nothing else to say about Ariel. We were moving forward, all three of us. “So, when are we gonna get married?”
“You tell me.”
“Well, I want to get married as soon as possible?”
“As soon as possible, huh? What’s the rush?”
“Babies,” I said honestly.
“Babies?” she asked in surprise. “You want to have kids right away?”
“I’ve always wanted my own family.”
“Well…that’s a lot of pressure on my ovaries.”
“We can wait if you want. But I’d rather not.”
“I’ve always wanted to have kids,” she said. “It just wasn’t in my five-year plan.”
“Well, I can’t wait five years, that’s for sure. I want to have little ones running around by then.”
“So if you had it your way, on our wedding night you’d be trying to knock me up?”
I smiled. “Damn right.”
“Wow. Think of the royal scandal…”
I chuckled. “We’ll wait until after the official ceremony, then. That gives us eight months together. Sounds fair.”
“Eight months is still pretty soon…but I’ll consider it.”
I couldn’t push her much further. She already gave up her life to be with me. If she needed another year before getting pregnant, I could be patient. “I’ll have Ariel prepare everything. As soon as you can get a dress, I’d like to tie the knot. The world won’t know we’re married, but we do—that’s all that matters to me.”
Her eyes softened. “I never thought you could be so romantic.”
“I’m not romantic,” I said honestly. “I just like being romantic with you.” London changed my life when she came to me as a prisoner. She taught me not to be bitter, to let my anger go, and to live life to the fullest and be happy. Without her, I’d still be the hateful person I once was. Now I’d finally closed the book on my past, and I opened a new chapter in my life. “I’ll always be romantic with you.”
Epilogue
Crewe
London had her arm tucked in the crook of mine as I guided her through the party. We already said our pleasantries to most of the guests, but we had a few more on our list. London looked beautiful in a strapless gold gown. With her deep brown hair and emerald eyes, she looked like a jewel.
When I turned to the right, I came face-to-face with Josephine. With thick cheeks and a neck not nearly as elegant as before, she looked at me with the same look of guilt. Her stomach was extended through her dress, her belly swollen with her first child. When I heard about her pregnancy, I couldn’t have cared less. “Hello, Lady Josephine.” I always addressed her formally because there was nothing informal between us. It was strange to think she could have given birth to my child.
Thank god that never happened.
“Hello, Lord Donoghue.” She leaned in and accepted the kiss I gave her on the cheek. “Nice to see you.” She turned to London next, her dislike written in her expression.
“Nice to see you, Lady London,” I corrected, demanding that my wife get the same respect I received.
Josephine’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment. “Of course…Lady.”
I eyed her stomach. “Congratulations. This must be an exciting time for you.”
“It is,” Josephine answered. “Andrew and I are very excited.” She looked around the room to find him, and to no one’s surprise, he was speaking with one of the young waitresses. She turned back to us like she hadn’t noticed.
I actually felt bad for her. “Have a good evening. My wife and I have a few more people to say hello to.”
“Of course.” Josephine moved her hand to her stomach then turned away.
London moved farther into me. “Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it?” After all this time, my wife was still fiercely protective of me. “Looks like she can’t keep that husband of hers on a tight leash.”
“It doesn’t surprise me.” The queen had just finished greeting the Duke of Rosenthal and she had an opening. I pulled London with me, and we said our greetings.
London was an expert at royalty. She knew exactly what to say and how to carry herself. Even the queen didn’t intimidate her. London belonged in this life more than I did. After chatting for ten minutes, I excused us so we wouldn’t overstay our welcome. “Having a good time?”
“I am…” She sighed and looked down at her wine.
“Doesn’t sound like it,” I said with a smile.
“I guess I just miss the kids. Is that stupid?”
“No.” I rubbed her back then pulled her into me, planting a kiss on her hairline. “Not at all.”
“I’m with them all the time, but when they’re gone, I can’t stop thinking about them.”
“I miss them too.”
“So…can we blow off this party?”
I took a look around, realizing I’d said hello to all the important people who mattered. “Yeah, I think that would be fine.”
London’s face lit up like I’d just said the magic words to make her the happiest woman in the world. “I’ll tell Dunbar to get the car.”
London walked through the doors first then headed into the grand living room where the enormous hearth sat underneath the TV. Joseph had the baby on his chest while Christopher played with his blocks on the floor.
“You look so comfortable right now,” London said with a chuckle.
Joseph’s eyes were lidded and heavy, and he didn’
t seem to be watching the TV even though it was still on. “It took me, like, an hour to change his diaper. And that shit smelled.”
“No cussing around the kids.” London grabbed Alan and held him against his chest. “How’s my baby?” She spoke in a soft voice, in a way she only did with the kids. “Mommy and Daddy missed you.” She rubbed her nose against his and made him giggle.
I watched my wife, transfixed by the blessing I had right in front of me. I had a perfect wife and two healthy kids. Christopher had my eyes and facial features. Alan looked more like London, with soft features that were still masculine.
“They were pretty good,” Joseph said. “Christopher played with the blocks the whole time.”
“You had fun with Uncle Joseph?” London asked Alan.
“Of course he did.” Joseph stood up and gave Alan’s foot a gentle squeeze. “They love their uncle. They’ll love me even more when I take them driving and to pick up women.”
“I hope you’ll have a family of your own when they’re that age, Joseph.” London sat down and laid the baby in her lap. She touched both of his hands then smiled down at our son. “I’d be concerned if you didn’t.”
Joseph walked up to me and extended his hand. “How was the ball?”
I shook it. “It wasn’t a ball. A birthday party.”
“Sounds like a ball to me.” He nodded to Christopher. “They were both good kids. Pretty damn cute too.”
“They get that from your sister.” I kneeled down and picked up Christopher. “Hey, little guy.” He was two years old, walking around the house and saying a few words here and there. While I worked during the day, London watched them and taught them everything under the sun. Sometimes I hated being at work because I missed out on finger painting, story time, exercise. “Have fun.”
He stared at me before he reached his hand out and grabbed my nose.
I let him do whatever he wanted, being a pushover father like London predicted.
Christopher let out a giggle when I smiled.