by R. G. Angel
I felt a little defeated when I returned to my room but I decided to talk to Taylor tomorrow, tell her my plans had changed – maybe she could help me come up with another solution to my current situation.
When I went to bed that night, I kept staring at the ceiling not able to find sleep. I’d spent the last few weeks working toward my escape, almost everything I did or said was through the optics of leaving. What now? I’d have a lot of consequences to face and one of them was my shared intimacy with Caleb Astor.
Chapter 20
I didn’t know when I’d fallen asleep, but I was startled awake by my brother shaking me.
“What?” I sat up quickly, head-butting him in the process.
He stepped back with a groan of pain.
“What?” I asked again, resting my hand on my sore forehead, looking around the dark room. “What time is it? What’s happening?”
He turned on the desk lamp. Even in the dim light, I didn’t miss the worry etched on his brow, his stiff shoulders.
I stood up, reaching for him. “Archie, what’s happening?” I asked glancing at the clock. It was only 4am, this wasn't a courtesy call. Did Caleb repudiate our engagement already? Was my father on his way to kill me? I expected Caleb would wait a few days, torture me a bit more, maybe try blackmail – I thought I had time.
“Father got a call from his Swiss bank, apparently there was some unauthorized access on several accounts and all the assets he has in the bank have been frozen. “We’re talking billions here, Esme.”
Esme… My heart warmed at the usage of my name, but it was not the time. “Okay…”
“So you see, he is required to go to Switzerland now in person to validate his accounts, increase security and release his assets. He is getting a plane from Washington right now and we’re leaving in the next couple of hours and I managed to convince him to take Caleb too, you know… future son-in-law and all.”
I shook my head. Either my sleepy brain was playing tricks on me or I was dreaming.
“Do you need me to do something?”
“I need you to run away.”
“What?”
“I heard your conversation with Luke,” He shook his head. “You’re not as stealthy as you think you are. From the moment you stopped rebelling and started to comply, I knew you had ulterior motives.”
I paled at how transparent I’d been. Did my father suspect? Was he waiting to strike?
“Don’t worry, father is too caught up in his ego and own self-importance to suspect anything. For him, it’s normal for people to bow to his will.”
“So, how did you…?” I stopped, not sure it was not a trap, was he recording this?
He looked saddened by my wariness. “I know I messed up; I know you’ve got no reason to trust me but we’re more alike than you might think. I couldn’t care less about being Father’s favorite – I need his approval to get what I want. You want freedom where I want power – power that I’ve gathered enough of to grant you that freedom you seek.”
“How?”
“The only variable will be Caleb, though.” He continued as if I hadn’t interrupted him. “He won’t take lightly being stuck in an engagement without a fiancée. His search will be relentless.”
I shook my head. “No, don’t worry, I already thought of that and I gave him his freedom back.”
“What do you mean by that?”
I blushed deeply at the implications and wrapped my arms around myself.
“How did you give him back his freedom? Esme, what –” The blood drained from his face. “Esme, no you didn’t.”
I shrugged, looking away again. “I did what I had to do, it’s fine.”
“No, no it’s not fine.” He walked towards me and stroked my arms gently, eyes full of concern. “I’m so sorry, Esme, so sorry.”
I frowned, it was seriously not the end of the world, it was no worse than losing it at a drunken party.
“Are you OK?” He wrapped his arms around me, and I realized it was the first time my brother had hugged me, and it felt amazing – like my heart was mending. I never wanted him to let go. “Please don't think it will always be like that. Sex is not like that; it doesn’t have to be like that.”
I reluctantly stepped out of his hug to look at his face. “I’m not sure I understand, I’m fine.”
He cocked his head to the side, looking at me with deep sadness. “You don’t have to pretend for my benefit. I’ve known him my whole life. There are reasons why they call him the Ruthless King and it’s not only because of his ability to take revenge, it has a lot to do with his behaviour in the bedroom and the pain he enjoys causing. Girls are only going back to him for what he represents, what he is worth – certainly not for the pleasure of sharing his bed.”
I shook my head. The Caleb I shared a bed with yesterday was anything but ruthless, he was kind and soft and loving – I would even go as far as calling him tender.
“I gave him grounds of repudiation; he’s going to take it.”
Archie cocked his head to the side, looking at me with uncertainty. “I’m not sure he will though. He might shout to the world that he doesn't want this and you. He is oddly possessive of you, coming here much more often than he used to. I fear that Caleb Astor might be obsessed with you, Esme.”
I waved my hand dismissively but couldn’t contain the shameful elation the thought of being under his skin caused me.
“He wants his freedom more, trust me,” I sighed. “I don’t want to leave you, Archie.”
“And I can’t let you choose this life to be with me. I can’t –” He shook his head. “I can’t let you fade away Esme.”
“But-”
He brought his hand on my lips to shush me. “You won’t be abandoning me; I will know you’re safe and once dad will be out – I will bring you back I swear.”
“What do you mean ‘out’?”
He winked. “You’re not the only Forbes with ulterior motives, sister of mine.” He took a deep breath, extending me a piece of paper. “Once I walk out of this room, you call that number and give them the reference. They are specialists in extraction.”
“How do you -”
“Esme, focus, our time is limited.”
I nodded silently.
“I have contacts too you know, and I have means that Father doesn’t even suspect.”
“These people” He repeated forcing the paper in my head. “They’re experts - some were even WITSEC members. I’ve paid them for the full package, new identify, new life… everything.”
“But if he finds out you’ll get into trouble.”
Archie laughed. “He will never suspect – he thinks I’d never do anything to cross him. Now you just have to sell that atrocious ring and build that life. Esme please, it’s my gift to you.”
“I don’t want to leave you, Archie – I… I do love you.”
He sighed wearily. “Ah, unfortunately the feeling is mutual – you made it impossible not to love you, Esme – you’re just as luminous inside. It was easier not to be attached to you, feelings are not an advantage in our world, you know. It will be much easier for me if I know you’re safe and happy somewhere. Would you not want the same for me?” He continued, probably seeing the doubt in my face. “If you had a shot to give me my freedom would you do it?”
“I guess…” I didn’t like how he made sense.
He smiled; he knew he had won. “Okay, call that number as soon as I walk out and don’t tell me where you’re going. By the time we come back, you’ll be long gone.”
“There is no problem with the Swiss bank accounts, is there?”
He gave me a half smile. “I told you, father’s not the only one with friends.”
“I’m impressed.”
He sighed, kissing my forehead. “You promise to do it?”
I nodded. “Yes, as soon as the door closes behind you, I will call. Can… can I give you a little piece of sisterly advice before I go?”
He arched h
is right eyebrow in a silent invitation to continue.
“There’s no shame liking someone who does not meet the Patricians’ standards, it’s OK to want to be with someone who doesn’t look like the girls in the magazines. It’s OK for you to like Taylor.”
He frowned. “I don’t like her.”
I shrugged. Yeah, he was not going to admit it to me, I thought he had a problem admitting it to himself. “Okay, if you say so, but for what it matters I think it’s mutual.”
He sighed. “I don’t like her,” he reaffirmed, “but if I did – I probably would like her enough to be selfless and not force her into our world. Her father loves her enough to let her date and marry whomever she really wants. She deserves a life free of stupid costumes and traditions. A life where she can stay with her man in bed just watching Netflix and eating pizza instead of attending the latest gala not because you want to but because it’s expected of you.”
“I think she deserves to be loved and revered.” I couldn’t tell him about the drawings I saw. How deeply I knew he loved her.
He ignored my last comment as I expected him to do. He looked at his watch. “I have to go, I have to pick up Caleb for the airfield in the next 20 minutes.”
“Okay,” I pulled him to me for a quick hug. “Be careful.”
“Always,” he replied. He took a step back and detailed my face – as if it was the last time he was ever going to see me, and maybe it was – but I let him go without another word. He wanted me to be free, he took risks for this. I couldn’t deny what he did.
I had to honor Archie’s sacrifice and my mother’s wish and walk away.
Chapter 21
Caleb’s point of view
I couldn’t help but frown at my reflection in the mirror as I adjusted my custom-made dark blue Armani suit jacket over my light blue shirt.
I had a feeling nagging at the back of my mind that something wasn’t right, and it was not only due to William Forbes, scum of this earth, calling at 4am – It was the whole situation.
I was somehow grateful to have my mind distracted from Esmeralda, or the bewitcher as I called her. For the past 24 hours I couldn't stop thinking of her, her smell was everywhere, her taste still in my mouth. If I didn't know any better, I would almost say she’d put a spell on me.
When I’d woken up after the most peaceful sleep I’d have ever experienced, and found the bed empty, I’d felt a loss I’d never felt before and only a deep inhale of the pillow mixing her papaya and coconut scent helped me quiet down and accept that it had been real and not a dream, as had too often been the case.
I could almost understand my father now and his obsession for Victoria Forbes.
Stop thinking about Esmeralda Forbes for a minute!
I looked at my watch drawer in contemplation, I was obsessed with watches, I owned over 20 of them and each had a special purpose, this meeting called for my Bulgari Magsonic Sonnerie Tourbillon. Archibald would be here in less than 15 minutes to take me to the airfield. My stupid father was over the moon that they’d decided to include me in their business, but it didn’t make any sense, there was no love lost between my father and William Forbes, like there was no love lost between Archibald and I.
William had insisted on the call that taking me to Switzerland was Archibald’s idea, and that didn’t sound right.
Archibald and I have always been secret rivals in everything we did – I wasn’t sure who started it but it was ingrained in us just as our heritage was, and I knew he hated me being engaged to his sister – which made me enjoy it even more.
I knew that despite his stoic appearance Archibald cared for her. Truthfully, how could he not? This damned woman was so hard to dislike, and it was plain as day in his face, well at least it was for me – it was easy to see mirroring emotions in someone else's face.
A soft knock on my door redirected my thoughts.
“Yes, Benjamin?”
The gray-haired butler opened the door and bowed slightly. “Mr Archibald Forbes is here sir, he is waiting in his car.”
I nodded. “Thank you, I will be right down.”
I let him wait a couple more minutes before ambling down as if we had all the time in the world, I was the heir to this kingdom and it was something he should never forget. His father may be the king now but it wasn’t meant to last and Archibald had always been too weak to do what had to be done to claim that throne. I’d claimed it long before I knew what to do with it and no matter what backward plan he was preparing now, I would not give him a shot at my place. I’d sacrificed too much for it.
“Good morning,”
My scowl deepened at Archibald's small smile and greeting. I expected annoyance – he should have gotten annoyed. He’d told me to be ready at 5am sharp and I kept him waiting on purpose, and yet he seemed almost pleased by it.
“Your father said that taking me was your idea.” I didn’t have time to play games, I had to attack, to figure out his endgame.
He shrugged, looking at the road. “We’re about to be family, you’ll be my brother-in-law in a few months. High School is almost over, you’re going to Cornell, I’m going to Brown. I think it’s time to grow up and leave the petty boys’ games behind.”
I almost believed him – almost… until he reached up and pulled on his left ear lobe. That was his tell – he was lying.
“Uh huh,” I confirmed, turning on my seat as we speed along the deserted road to the private airfield 30 minutes away. What aggravated me the most were the missing puzzle pieces, I was a calculating man, I was a master conspirator, always a few steps ahead in the game and laughing at the poor clueless puppets left behind but here I couldn’t see the endgame, the drive behind Archibald’s actions. I knew his father was much too full of himself to play any tricks on me, in his mind, I was so beneath him. No, Archibald did convince his father to make me a signatory. What was missing was the purpose of his trick? What did he have to win by making me gain some legitimacy within his legacy?
I turned toward him as he glanced at his watch.
“Are we late?”
He glanced at me with confusion. “No, he will be landing in the next 20 minutes or so.”
I nodded, and spent the rest of the drive in silence, both lost in our own head, me trying to figure out Archibald’s next move.
When we made it to the airstrip the plane had just landed. Archibald looked at his watch again as the plane door opened and his father stepped down, his phone to his ear.
“Who are you calling?” I narrowed my eyes at the apprehension in Archibald’s voice.
William gestured us to the plane. “I need you to approve that flight plan now,” he said to who I assumed was the flight controller. “Do you know who I am?” he barked, and I rolled my eyes as I followed Archie into the plane, taking a seat across from him.
“What are you doing?” I asked as Archibald looked at his watch once more.
“What do you mean?” he countered with irritation, touching his earlobe again.
I didn’t have the time to press as his father walked back into the cabin. “15 minutes before departure.” He sighed, sitting beside Archibald. “What I don’t understand is why Mr Ducros didn’t call me directly?”
“Mr Ducros?” I asked as Archibald pulled at his ear and looked at his watch once more.
“The bank director,” William shook his head. “Do you even know how much money I have in his bank?”
Archibald looked at his watch again. “You can ask him when we get there.”
It felt like a freight train as realisation hit me, Archibald was not trying to trick me – he was trying to get me away, me and William.
“Maybe you should call him, to make sure it’s not a mistake.” I tried, and knew I’d hit the bullseye when Archibald paled, pulling on his ear again.
“Why would he?” Archibald scoffed, hiding his discomfort with derision. “Why would William Forbes call him? It’s beneath him.”
I smiled at him as William eyed us cu
riously, I straightened in my seat. “You’re correct. He is William Forbes and I find it hard to believe that the director wouldn’t take the time to call him.” I frowned, pretending to be confused, hoping William would take the bait – and based on the way he was detailing me I was pretty sure he would. “I find it hard to believe that William would be anything other than a VIP customer for that bank but-” I shrugged, “maybe I’m wrong.”
William’s assessing look turned into a scowl and I knew I had won. That man’s ego was his downfall.
“I think Caleb is right, Ducros wouldn’t be so dismissive.”
Archibald looked at his watch again. “Listen father, the Pilot just walked in, we’re ready to go I-”
William pursed his lips at Archibald’s defiance, it was not a habit and I couldn’t help but wonder what could trump Archibald’s loyalty to his father, I was a little apprehensive to find out.
William raised his hand, stopping his son. “The pilot works for me, I do as I please, Archibald – you’d better remember that if you want to avoid any disappointment. I will call Ducros and we will leave soon after.”
When William stood up and went to the office at the back of the plane, Archibald glared at me.
“Nobody asked for your opinion,” he lashed.
I smirked. “You wanted me here Archibald, didn’t you?”
“I-” He checked his watch again and shook his head. “Whatever,” he added with a sigh of defeat.
“What is so time-sensitive, huh?”
He jerked back. “What?”
I nodded toward his watch, “I think you looked at your watch at least 20 times since you picked me up.”
He shook his head. “I’m not sure why, there is nothing pressing.”
“Sure.”
“The accounts are fine,” William barked walking back into the main part of the cabin.
“What do you mean?” Archibald asked, and I had to give it to him. He was a good actor, but I knew him too well.
“I mean that I did get a call from Switzerland, with my login, but it was not them. We have to go home now.” He pointed at the door.
“I’ll ask my father to meet us at the house, I’ll come with - I have no car, anyway.” I tried to sound nonchalant but I hated the little increase of my heart rate at the idea of seeing Esmeralda.