PURPLE HEART - Soliders Of Fortune [BOOK TWO]

Chapter EIGHT

Maksimilian Angeloff

The scent of fresh fruit and salted spice fills the air as the sizzle of the frying pan crackles..Sunny, with her loose cocoa curls and swaying hips whirls around the kitchen as she hums an unfamiliar melody.. Her hands always kept busy, mixing, stirring and chopping at a frenzied pace to prepare breakfast..

I'm not exactly sure what it is she's making, nor do I care, because for the first time since the moment I laid eyes on her, she appears almost carefree..

I thought it was impossible for her to be any more beautiful than she was last night, but now, she is radiant, illuminated from the inside out by some inexplicable light..

Or maybe that is simply my idiotic interpretation and my perspective has been twisted by desire..

Keeping a keen eye on her, I observe her changed demeanour with suspicion.. The little smiles she throws my way and the sweet tune she hums, may appear sincere on the surface, but there is a wary doubt that lingers at the back of my mind..

What if none of it is real?

She had tried to run away after all, and for the first time I find myself questioning my decision..

Did I make a mistake by bringing her here?

Maybe I was wrong about her and Luka had been right.. Maybe her loyalty can't be brought and I am wasting my time..

Paco trots lazily across the tile to lay at my feet and Sunny's lips part to form a surprised 'O' before she shakes off her stunned expression to peer back at me.. "He likes you.."

"Nah-" With a dry smile I humorously dismiss her assessment.. "He just knows who's boss.."

"Si.. It seems so.." Sunday nods, taking my sarcasm a little too seriously..

"Fuck.." Letting out a remorseful sigh, I wince at my own poor choice of words.. "Zayka-"

Not allowing me to clarify, Sunday pushes a colourful plate brimming with breakfast towards me.. "I hope you like Huevos Rancheros, Señor Max?" With the tiniest dusting of flour painting the tip of her nose, Sunday brushes her bouncy brunette curls back from her face to peer up at me with a soft smile and shy, earnest embers.. "It's kind of my speciality.."

"It smells great-" Shrugging half heartedly, I sink into one of the bar stools that line the kitchen island.. "But I'll admit, I've never had the pleasure.."

Her amber eyes widen with interest.. "Never?"

"When I was stationed down in El Chavez, I spent most of my time in the jungle.. " I shake my head with a dry chortle, scooping up a fork-full of the deliciousness laid before me.. "Hell, I've been living off MRE's for the past decade, Zayka..."

"Oh.."

Shovelling an enormous bite full into my mouth, I groan in rapturous delight at the flavoursome explosion.. "Mmm- fuck that's good!"