Chapter 2
2
OWEN
A faint scent of chlorine wafts in my direction as the gentle breeze causes the water to slap against the sides of the private pool I’m seated next to.
Squinting under the glaring sun, I look down at the phone in my hand. My gaze lands on the voice messages icon, notifying me of how many I’ve yet to listen to.
Seven days of ignorance, not knowing or facing the mess I left behind. Seven days of reflecting. Seven days of uncertainty, worrying about what I should do with my life now; the one I ran from. The one I left behind.
The only thing I know is that I will stay here for the next few weeks, or maybe even longer, while I figure out what to do next. Travel? Maybe. Start my own business? Nah. Go home to Castleview Cove? I shudder at the thought, my body’s reaction confirming that’s a firm no.
Like a lighthouse on a foggy night, the red notification on my phone warns me to stay clear of the voice messages; avoid the shitstorm that I created a week ago.
Although it feels like a lifetime since I called my cousin, Gregor, from the airport to see where he was currently based. Because of the rift between our families, he was the only one, along with his parents, who didn’t get invited to the wedding. He wouldn’t have been able to make it anyway due to work commitments.
So within five hours, I’d landed in Cyprus, two thousand miles away from anyone finding me.
Voicemail after voicemail filled my inbox until it was full.
Choosing not to listen to any, I deleted them as they hit my phone. However, it didn’t prevent it filling up again with what I can only imagine are irate messages from mine and Evangeline’s families, so I stopped deleting them. I let it fill to capacity, so no one can leave any more, and I hit that “block caller” button on my parents’ contact details. Not permanently. Just until I decide what my next action will be.
I’m not ready to speak to them. Not yet.
If ever.
Like a strategic move on a chessboard, I’m no longer the pawn but the ruler of my own destiny, and this time I’m playing to win. To find my queen and be the king of my own goddamn castle—on my terms. Whether my parents like it or not.
Let’s hope I can withstand the wrath of my mother, because when she finds me, she’ll kill me with her perfectly manicured claws. I’m certain if my father gave her the nod, she would sink them into my heart first.
Although my mother was never physical with me growing up, choosing verbal abuse as her preferred choice of attack, I may have pushed her too far this time. I can’t imagine she will ever forgive me for the shame I have cast over the family name.
Do I care? A little.
Do I care about my sanity more than the family business? Right now, absolutely .
Making me flinch, my phone vibrates in my hand. It’s a welcome sight to see Lincoln’s name on the screen.
Knowing he was going to call, I hit the accept button, uncross my legs, and lay back on the sun lounger, taking refuge from the blazing heat of the sun under the parasol.
“Hey, stranger.” Lincoln’s familiar dark features and toothy grin come into view.
Violet, his fiancée, appears next to him. “Nice bronzed abs.” She winks cheekily at me, making me chuckle. She likes nothing better than winding Lincoln up, and commenting on my body will do just that.
Lincoln tickles her side, making her squeal.
“You’ll pay for that later.” Lincoln smacks a kiss on her cheek.
“Hope so.” Violet side-eyes him as she flicks her dark brown hair over her shoulder.
Jacob appears next, stuffing what looks like Lincoln’s grandma’s delicious syrupy baklava into his mouth as he takes a seat, too. Last, Skye, my ex-girlfriend, now Jacob’s wife, stands in between Jacob and Violet. It’s such a heartwarming sight; to know that regardless, and with no judgment, my four friends love me unconditionally.
Violet says, “We’ve missed you, Owen.”
“What, this ugly face with the enormous nose?” I point to my face, feigning confidence, secretly hoping they don’t notice how completely broken I feel inside.
I’m clearly not doing a great job of masking the lack of sleep I’ve had and exhaustion from working out too much because Jacob declares, “You look like shit.”
I sigh and slide my sunglasses that are resting on top of my head downward, pushing them up my nose to hide the deep circles under my eyes. “Can’t sleep. It’s too hot,” I lie, my voice deflated. It’s got nothing to do with the heat, and they already know that. They can read me like a book, even when I try to hide how I’m feeling. You think I’d be better at it; I’ve been doing it my whole life.
Skye pulls a gentle smile, looping her arm round Jacob’s shoulders. “You can be honest with us, Owen. It’s okay to admit you’re struggling.”
Behind the dark lenses of my sunglasses, I watch Jacob rest his reassuring hand on Skye’s swollen, pregnant belly.
While I am over the moon for them, a small tug of jealousy pulls at my heart.
Will I ever find the one?
Waiting for my response, my friends stay silent before I finally admit, “It’s my heart and head that are at odds with one another. Did I do the right thing?”
United, they confirm I did with firm yeses, sealing their approval with confident head nods.
“I heard Evangeline was screwing Adam Blumenthal the whole time you were together.” Why does that news not surprise me?
“Linc,” Violet exclaims in shock, slapping the worktop with the palm of her hand. “We talked about this. We agreed to wait and tell Owen later.”
His eyes widen, his palm up with an open hand in my direction. “He should know now. He has no reason to feel bad about his decision. She wasn’t right for Owen, and we all know that.”
“I agree,” Skye chimes in. “She never wanted the marriage either, Owen, and we all witnessed how much you tried to make it work while you were engaged. We watched you give it your best shot, but she was so rude and mean to you. I can’t figure out how you lasted as long as you did. We stood by your decision to get married because we care about you, but we could see she wasn’t right for you.”
“I could feel it.” Way down in my gut, every time I looked into her empty eyes. I felt her disapproval, despair, and hopelessness; it’s how I feel every time I look in the mirror. A duel of sorts, an inner battle of doing your duty to implement the family strategy while sacrificing the things you want the most: approval from your parents, love, and happiness. A hug.
I was raised being told those things don’t matter because my worth is based on wealth. What I have is more important than the qualities I have as a man.
Skye is right. Evangeline was in the same position, and we were being the good little pedigree puppy dogs our mothers trained us to be. That was, until I had the balls to put a stop to it all and walk away. Although, unlike her, I did remain faithful.
I clear my throat, rubbing my hand over the scruff on my chin. “Anyway, Evangeline, the wedding, none of it matters anymore.” The weight on my shoulders instantly feels lighter. “I hope she finds happiness with Adam.” The five of us pause for a moment, letting the honesty of what I have said settle between us.
“I’m proud of you,” Lincoln says. “You’ve taken the higher ground.”
Jacob leans forward expectantly as if wanting to ask me something. His body language is obvious. He’s worried about me, he wants me home, where he knows I am safe, and he and Lincoln can look after me should I fall into a downward spiral. Which, for the record, I will not do. Not again. I did it once when I first learned about the deal my father made with Evangeline’s father. Turning to liquor for too many nights… Who am I kidding—weeks. Searching for a solution to my problems at the bottom of the bottle didn’t work. I couldn’t dr ink them away. Knowing how pointless it is, I refuse to do it again.
Confirmation of Evangeline’s relationship with Adam is a reassurance of sorts. I know I did the right thing. She would never have been mine and extra-marital affairs make me want to vomit.
“How long are you planning on staying in Cyprus?” Jacob finally asks.
“Gregor is here training for a month, and he’s staying in this pretty sweet villa.” I thumb over my shoulder in the direction of my large, white temporary home. “The Officer’s Mess on the air base is being remodeled, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to stay with him, so I may as well take advantage.” It’s not as if I have anything to go back for. I’m certain I’ve lost my job and my gate house home within the grounds of my parents’ estate.
“Gregor has such a cool job.” Lincoln looks starry-eyed, as if imagining himself being a fast jet pilot.
“Epic job,” Jacob agrees. “He does that every year, right? Goes out to Cyprus to train?”
“Usually for four weeks, yeah, but he’s been here a week longer than everyone else. The others are arriving today.” Gregor told me that they either come to Cyprus or Greece for their Springhawk training every year because the blue skies and sunshine allow them to practice over and over again. “This is Gregor’s last year. He’s only assigned to the aerobatic squadron for three years, then he has to return to his permanent fast jet squadron.” He was sharing stories with me earlier. It makes my life in Castleview Cove look excruciatingly dull.
“What does he do?” Violet scrunches her face up, as if trying to recall if she already knows the answer.
I wipe the beads of sweat that have formed off my brow and push my sunglasses back up my nose as I reply. “Gregor is an aerobatic pilot in the Royal Air Force.” I grab my uncapped bottled water off the table next to me and take a huge mouthful.
Violet’s face lights up. “Does he do all that cool acrobatic stuff for the Royal Family, like the show from the Jubilee celebrations at the palace? With the red, white, and blue smoke?”
“The very one.” I lick the cool water off my lips, smirking at how excited Violet gets about all things British. She may be a California girl through and through, but she’s embraced Scottish living like a duck to water. “Wow, I bet he has to fight the women off. What a job.” She sighs in awe.
“Will we see you when Gregor returns? Do you reckon you’ll come back?” Skye raises her eyebrows inquisitively, and I nod hesitantly, not sure if I will be back. “Or will you stay in Cyprus?” she continues. “Your longer hair does make you look like a beach bum.” She pulls a soft smile, lightening the mood. “You’ll fit right in.”
I rake my fingers through my hair and tuck a strand behind my ear, finally getting used to its new length. The newfound rebel in me may even let it get longer and grow a longer beard, too.
If it’s time for a new life and career, then it’s time for a new me.
Doing what? Who the hell knows.
Lincoln jumps into the conversation. “Promise us you won’t make plans yet. Or make any rash decisions. Wait and see how you feel over the next few weeks and then decide, yeah?” The hopeful faces of my four friends look back at me down the camera.
“I promise. If you promise to continue keeping my whereabouts a secret. I’m not ready to face the firing squad.” The heavy sensation reappears in my chest. It’s as if someone is trying to drag me into the depths of the earth. I don’t like it .
Running hasn’t helped. Working out hasn’t helped. Swimming hundreds of lengths hasn’t helped. Nothing does.
“We swear we won’t,” Lincoln replies firmly.
Gregor was unaware of my situation when I arrived in Cyprus, so I brought him up to date immediately. He was mad at my father for trying to shackle me to a loveless marriage.
I also saw the gratitude in his eyes. He’s grateful that our parents don’t speak to each other anymore. Relieved that our family businesses don’t overlap, or the same fate may have been sealed for him, too.
Following a takeover bid between his father and mine, who are brothers, over a decade ago, where they went after the same company, my father severed all ties with Gregor’s side of the family when his brother secured the deal. However, against my father’s instruction, I secretly chose to keep in touch with them all.
I was gutted that my parents didn’t let me invite any of them to the wedding because Gregor is about the closest thing to someone I can call family, and I’m a little envious that, unlike me, he drew the good parent straw.
A loud ding from the front door alerts me to visitors.
I swivel around on the sun lounger then push to my feet. “I need to get that.” The rest of Gregor’s team is arriving today and moving into the surrounding villas within the private compound. “Gregor is out for a run.” Protecting the soles of my feet from the scorching poolside, I slip them into my navy slides.
“Cool. Keep in touch though, yeah?” Skye calls out as I walk quickly around the pool, into the enormous, air-conditioned white living space, to answer the door.
Almost running now, my slides slap against the marble floor of the hallway, echoing off the sparse Mediterranean-style villa, as I exaggerate a loud sigh. “Yes, Mrs. Baxter, I’ll stay in touch.” A year in, I’m only just getting used to calling Skye by her married name. “Look after my girl, Mr. Baxter.” I throw Jacob a cheeky wink.
“Stop saying that. I keep telling you, she’s not your girl anymore,” Jacob retorts, scowling, making everyone around him laugh. I sure do like fucking with him.
“Love you guys.” I blow a playful kiss. “Especially you, Skye.”
“Motherfuck—” Laughing out loud, I cut the call, then place my phone on the console table.
Still chuckling to myself, I turn the catch on the lock and twist the brass handle, pulling open the heavy walnut door. My laughter instantly dies in my throat, as the glowing sun shines behind a beautiful lion’s mane of fiery red hair that’s blowing in the gentle breeze.
I push my sunglasses on top of my head as the silhouette takes one step, and then another toward me. The red halo fades as the most beautiful woman, with the bluest eyes, comes into clear view. I’m hit hard with an invisible force field; like all the air is punched out of my lungs with a high G-force, making me feel lightheaded.
Thinking I must be hallucinating, as this Pre-Raphaelite deity stands before me, I blink twice before I realize she’s talking to me.
“Hello.” She waves a hand in front of my face. “Are you okay?”
I shake my head as the words “So beautiful” run out of my mouth, the skin of my arms now goosebumped, and for a beat, everything else loses its importance.
“I beg your pardon?” her eloquent English accent questions as she swings a wiggling baby girl around the front of her, then replaces her on top of her other hip.
Pulling my head back, shaking it to wake me up from my daydream, I try to disguise my thinking out loud moment. “Eh, the baby is beautiful.” Although she is super cute, it’s not what I meant at all.
The beautiful woman smiles, lovingly looking down at the baby. “Yes, she is, but she’s also a monster.” She pinches the baby’s cheek playfully, making her babble unformed words, then she turns her attention back to me. “The guy at the security gate said Gregor has our keys. Is he here?” She looks over my shoulder, searching for him.
She waits patiently as my brain fails to connect with my mouth.
“Are you okay?” A deep V of worry forms between her clear blue gems.
As if jolted back to life, I take a large audible gulp and finally say, “He’s out for a run. I have everyone’s keys.” I turn to pick up several bunches from the table, inwardly cringing that I must look like a buffoon.
“The red set is for villa one. It’s the biggest villa, with three bedrooms, and is allocated to his squadron leader.” I separate that set.
Curious, I ask, “Are you a nanny for one of the team members?” I feel compelled to find out everything about her, secretly hoping she’s here for the entirety of Gregor’s training.
“Nanny? Eh, no.” Rolling her eyes, she looks as if she’s pissed off with me.
Shit.
“Oh, sorry. Are you one of the wives? Is your husband a pilot too, like Gregor?” My eyes drop to her hand, searching for a wedding band. However, I can’t see properly while she clutches the baby that’s now pulling at the neckline of her sundress.
“Negative to that, too.” She mumbles something else under her breath that sounds distinctly like “male chauvinist idiot . ”
Ouch.
“Sorry if I offended you.” The keys jingle when I hold my hands up in surrender. She does not explain who she is as she accepts my apology with reluctance.
I hold out the selection of keys for her to take as she shimmies the restless matching red-haired baby up the side of her body, then takes the red bunch for the largest villa from me.
If she’s not the nanny or one of the wives, who is she?
“Poppy, baby.” I hear Gregor calling out as the steady beat of loud footsteps runs in our direction, making the baby in the woman’s arms squeal and clap her chubby hands.
As the red-haired woman turns to greet Gregor, he reaches out for the baby, who willingly climbs into his arms as if she’s done it plenty of times before.
The penny drops. “Are you Gregor’s boss’s girlfriend?” If she’s not a wife or the nanny, she must be. I don’t know why I feel disappointed. Or why I am even fucking asking.
Gregor splutters. “No, Owen, try boss . Squadron Leader Sommers is my boss.” He acknowledges her. “Ma’am.” He mock salutes her.
For a heartbeat, my mouth snaps open, then closes again.
She slaps his hand away from his forehead, stopping him from saluting her. “We are outside of work. I’ve told you hundreds of times to stop doing that and to call me Jade.”
Gregor winks at me. I think he enjoys winding her up.
“Squadron Leader Jade Sommers, this is my cousin, Owen Brodie. Jade, meet Owen. Owen, meet Jade.”
“Ah, so you’re the cousin who caused the scar above Gregor’s eyebrow trying to teach him to do BMX stunts when he was a teenager?”
“It was an accident.” I defend myself, then mutter under my breath, “Squadron leader?”
My eyes are glued to hers; she looks younger than Gregor’s thirty-five years. I always imagined squadron leaders to be older. Apparently, this is not the case.
“Yes, I’m the squadron leader.” She smirks, hearing my indiscreet musings.
“Wow,” I gasp, in complete awe.
Ignoring us, Gregor admires Poppy’s white cotton dress, telling her she looks pretty. Then he says, “Isn’t your mommy clever? She is wow .” He smirks, then lifts his head to address me. “Jade is the world’s first female pilot to join the aerobatic display team. She’s a badass. ” He mouths the last word, conscious of crass language around tiny ears. “Jade’s flying call sign is Red 1. She’s number one, isn’t she, Poppy?” He tickles the skin under the baby’s chin, making her giggle.
I’m speechless. That’s incredible.
“What do you do?” She folds her arms around herself, lifting her eyebrows high in expectation. “Pump weights at the gym, spend your days surfing, work on your tan, take dozens of selfies, and post them all over social media?” she teases back.
I don’t get a chance to respond when Gregor says, “Good one.” He chuckles. “Better question, why is he staying with me?” He looks smug as hell. “When he should be on his honeymoon.”
“Oh gosh,” she gasps, glancing down at my ring finger and then back up, mouth agape.
“Owen is a runaway groomsman.” He pulls his lips into his mouth and takes a step back, cowering away from me like the dumbass he is. If he didn’t have Poppy in his arms, I would have him in a headlock within seconds, exactly like we used to do to each other when we were younger.
Jade exclaims, “You stood her up?”
My cousin laughs out loud while I cringe and die a little more inside.
“No.” I clear up what he means. “I kind of, well, sort of…” I can’t get my words out.
“He left his wife-to-be at the altar. He did the decent thing and told her he couldn’t go through with it.” Gregor snitches on me, and I get an overwhelming urge to slap him upside the head.
Jade’s mouth falls open.
“I was being forced to marry her.”
Jade’s voice rises a couple of octaves. “What? Is that even a thing?”
“It’s a long story,” I mutter, embarrassed.
“Welcome to our messed-up family, Jade.” Gregor hands Poppy back to Jade before pushing his way through the front door. “I need a shower. See you later, gorgeous.” He waves at Poppy.
“You’re right. You stink, and keep your archaic family traditions away from my daughter.” Jade tries to sound serious, but her mouth twitches at the edges, giving her away.
“Oh, our families don’t talk. Again, another long story. Your daughter is safe.” He sounds as annoyed about that as I am.
Poppy straddles her legs around her mother’s waist as if she’s a baby orangutan. Jade rubs her hand up and down her little back, giving me the answer I was looking for earlier; no engagement ring or wedding band on her finger means she’s not married.
Jade turns to leave. “I need to go. My mom is waiting for me. The other guys should be here in half an hour to pick up their keys.”
“I’ll pop round later to make sure your villa has everything you need,” Gregor calls back over his shoulder.
“Thanks, Gregor.” Jade turns on her heels, not giving me a second glance. “I hope an angry stab-happy jilted bride doesn’t turn up on our doorstep,” she mutters to herself.
“That’s never going to happen. It’s more likely to be my stab-happy mother.” I shudder. “It’s just as well we’re in a secure compound.”
Jade shouts back over her shoulder, “Hide the knives.”
Poppy grants me a gigantic gummy smile, showing me her two bottom front teeth, and I can’t help but smile back and wave at her.
As she walks away, the knee-length hem of Jade’s apple-green summer dress flutters in the breeze. She pivots on the balls of her gold gladiator-style sandal-covered feet to face me again. “See you soon, Owen.”
I hope so.
She turns and continues in the direction she was headed in, her hair bouncing as she walks, shining like spun copper in the sunshine before she disappears out of sight.
Well, the next few weeks just got a lot more interesting.