Chapter Twenty-Four
Spin walked slowly down the dark streets. The day had just turned over to dawn. She’d walked all night, her pace slowing more and more. But no matter how slow she walked, Zhi hadn’t caught up to her. She had to face facts; he wasn’t coming after her.
Her lips still burned from the almost kiss. It wasn’t as though she hadn’t been kissed before. But she’d known it would’ve been perfect, and she couldn’t stop thinking about the perfection of what would’ve been. She knew his lips would’ve fit over hers perfectly like they were the key to her lock. She’d hungered for his breath to mix with hers. She’d known just the taste would’ve given her life.
It was the other reason she was walking so slowly. She had every urge to run back to him. To run back to a man that had said out loud that he planned to use a woman for her money.
Zhi had admitted that he was after Parker, not for her heart, not because he had real feelings for her, he was after her wealth. Spin had been so wrong about him. It didn’t matter what his reasons were. He was contemplating it.
Though it had seemed to pain him. Though he’d looked tortured as he’d gripped onto Spin all throughout his confession. Though he’d only been able to bring himself to let her go when he’d reminded himself of who he was doing this for; his mother and his staff.
It didn’t matter that his reasons were honorable. If he went through with it, he’d be no better than his own father. And it looked like he was going to go through with it. He had likely turned back to his pursuit of Parker since he hadn’t come after Spin. Nor had he slid into her DM.
Her phone hadn’t buzzed in all the time since she’d walked away from him. Even Lark hadn’t checked after her. Though Lark was used to Spin disappearing at all hours and for long stretches.
This would be the longest stretch in their acquaintance. Lark might miss Spin when she was gone, but it would take her a while to realize Spin was gone for good. Then it would likely not take very long for her friend to get over her absence.
That was the way Spin had always moved since her mother’s passing five years ago. She didn’t get attached to anyone. People could only disappoint someone if they opened their heart.
It was the one good lesson her father had taught her. People could only hurt you if you let them. Spin had never let anyone close enough to hurt her.
Her time here was up. She’d stayed too long, both here in Cordoba with the duke and in Nice with Lark. Spin would slip into Mondego House and grab her perpetually packed bags. Then she’d slip out into the rising dawn and be gone like a ghost.
As she approached the towering estate, a town car pulled up. Spin recognized the vehicle. It was the same one they’d pulled up to the estate in. It as the marquis’.
The luxury car rolled past Spin. Stopped. And then reversed. The door opened, and Lark bounded out.
“You’ll never believe what happened to me last night,” said Lark.
She was breathless, her eyes sparkling. She brought Spin into her arms and squeezed her tightly. So much for Spin’s quiet and goodbye-less departure.
Spin tried to remain motionless and not receive the affection, but after walking alone for hours, she needed it. She brought her arms around her friend and relaxed into the embrace.
Lark made to pull back, but Spin was still holding on. When Spin tried to collect herself and let go, Lark squeezed her tighter.
“What is it?” said Lark. “What’s happened?”
“It’s nothing.” But Spin’s voice trembled.
“It’s definitely something.” Lark pulled back but didn’t let her go. She peered into Spin’s eyes. “What did he do?”
“He?”
“Zhi? Did you two have a falling out?”
Spin looked at Lark in confusion. She opened her mouth to deny that there was anything between her and Zhi, but she knew it was pointless. How had Lark known?
“It was obvious that you two had a thing for each other,” Lark answered the unspoken question. “I figured he went off with you after he left Parker at the club.”
“He left Parker?”
“Yeah,” said Lark. “You do realize that Parker isn’t into men?”
Spin was still reeling from the fact that Zhi had left Parker at the club. Maybe he’d come to find her? Maybe he was in the house waiting for her?
She turned to the massive front and hurried up the steps. Entering the house, both Spin and Lark were met with chaos. There were buckets everywhere catching water as it fell from the ceiling.
The staff looked up at the door with expectant gazes that fell when they saw Spin and Lark standing there.