If Only

C H A P T E R 17

OLD WOUNDS

MIRANDA

I did not want to come for I already knew what Raven was planning. A few friends I had managed to acquire within the media told me that the younger Deschanel of a famous banking empire will have an announcement to make.

Bet my now puny savings that it had something to do with that man again.

I delayed my arrival for hours and hours until I was sure that the fire has gone out of Raven's ploy. If news about me and Raven broke out, Ruen will come running right back to the continent and demand answers.

She would ask questions to answers I could never speak. She would know of what I did and the hardest part would be she would never get angry and I need not apologize. But in exchange, she would take the blame though I was the one at fault.

She won't have too. I'll fix this on my own.

Thinking of every plausible sickness I could acquire within such a short time–an upset stomach only gave an hour tops before a doctor drops to check on me and gives me something to take care of it.

I can't fake severe stomach pains. I even contemplated breaking a leg or spraining an ankle.

Shit!

I am left with no other choice than to hack the GPS of the car and have the driver pass through the busiest streets–being stuck in traffic might do the trick. An inexperienced driver relying on it won't notice the sudden changes in the route. It might work.

Like a charm.

Spoofing the GPS of the car proved the better choice. It was a success.

"Where did you go?" Raven had her hand on my face then she tilted my chin up. "What unscrupulous plans are you making in that pretty little head of yours?"

"Nothing I thought of could beat the green-eyed monster like you." If her hands hold me any tighter than she already does, I would not be surprised to find myself bruising.

I could do more thinking instead of feeling if only you would stop staring at me and touching me at every turn.

Cursing my inner battle, I let my hand fall from her shoulder and settle on her chest. Damn, these suits.

If only I never laid eyes on that childlike woman again.

* * *

RAVEN

Miranda looked lost in thought that I took the chance to openly observe her. She can be a stunner when she cleaned up. That wondrous collar bone structure and the depression formed by it made me want to pour wine all over it.

Drink it from there.

A little lick or maybe more...

The song ended but I was not ready to let go of her yet. Seeing my uncle Alfred across the room, I ushered her to where he was.

"Uncle, so glad you're still here." His eyes were not on me but on her, "I'd like you to meet my wife, Miranda."

"Your wife?"

Maybe not the best conversation starter...

"Yes. Miranda, this is my uncle Alfred Deschanel. He's my father's brother."

"How –" Uncle offered his hand for a shake and my wife shook it. "Glad to have another addition to the family given the recent –"

I might have made a grave mistake of introducing her to a relative. He doesn't need to know why we are together and I don't need him telling Miranda anything.