Chapter 19
She stilled as Darby’s devious laughter raked through her body.
He sensed that she’d been shocked from knowing that Cristian had killed Alessandro.
Her heart jolted as the memory flashed in her mind of the time that he returned home with a shirt covered in blood.
Things weren’t adding up, and she only had known Cristian for a short period.
What if she’d misjudged him to be a good person?
At this point, she didn’t know what to think, but she was visibly shaken by the news.
Darby realized that Everly wasn’t as smart as he thought she was.
He’d given her too much credit. She was totally na?ve and didn’t understand that Cristian wasn’t a saint.
Although she wouldn’t bring him top dollar anymore, she could warm his bed, and he would use her as a pawn in his game against the Silva family.
“Poor you. I guess you really thought an angel had come to save you. But you had no idea who you were dealing with.”
He grunted and continued to snigger. Everly remained calm.
She turned her back on him and stared at the lapping waves of the water, wondering if there was a side to Cristian and his family that she didn’t know about.
A sick feeling crept up her spine. Were they part of a crime organization?
Why had he been so bold to walk into Darby’s auction even after knowing that he could get killed?
What was the reason behind that level of confidence?
She also observed that during her stay at the mansion, there weren’t any officers of the law hanging around, so whatever Cristian was doing with his family didn’t seem legal.
Had she been deceived? Did she escape from a fire to be thrown into an inferno?
Her back stiffened when she felt Darby’s chubby hands on her hip.
Disgust welled up in her throat as she tried to fight it.
She realized that she was in the middle of a game that she didn’t understand, and she needed to save herself somehow.
She felt hurt that she’d fallen for Cristian, yet he kept secrets from her.
Maybe he still saw her as that vulnerable woman who couldn’t have a mind of her own and needed his shielding even at the expense of honesty.
“My darling girl, I know you’re hurt. He must’ve seduced you with his lying ways and tried painting himself as a saint to make you comfortable around him. All men are the same. They put up an act for pussy, and once they get it, it is over!”
“So, cheer up. I can still make money off you somehow…” Darby eyed her slender frame greedily.
Everly forced her eyes shut. Was Cristian really like other men?
She truly doubted it because he insisted on preserving her virginity unless she offered it herself.
Even when she surrendered herself to him, he hadn’t taken advantage of her.
He totally loved and respected her and wanted to sacrifice his family for her—a total stranger.
Her fingers trembled as she remembered his passionate kisses, his scintillating laughter, his beautiful hair, and alluring body.
Yes, there were many sides to this man she shared a bed with that she was yet to understand.
It was time to weigh her options and find a way to sort things out once and for all.
Cristian had risked his life to save her.
Although he lied about purchasing her at the auction by deceiving Darby, he did rescue her.
His brothers had attested to the love he had for her from the first day he set his eyes on her photo.
What more did she need to convince herself that his love for her was real?
If he truly killed a man, it was to rescue her.
She felt bad that he would soil his hands with blood.
But at this point, she knew that no one was innocent in this game; not even her.
Life wasn’t black and white, there were various shades of grey and she was about to take part in the game.
Everly fought the tears that brightened her eyes.
Cristian had trusted her, yet she would betray him.
It was a difficult and painful thing to do, but this was the best way to end this fight.
“I want to see him one last time.” She swirled around and faced Darby.
He was shocked at the coldness of her tone.
“Why?” His brows furrowed.
Gently, she swept her chestnut hair into a bun and rubbed her hands together, readying herself for what lay ahead. She was no longer a pristine virgin. Cristian had introduced her to the world of sinful pleasures, and she hoped to participate in more.
“I want to look him in the eye and ask if he truly killed a man, as you say. I’ll follow you back to the warehouse. I just need to see his face one more time.”
Darby was impressed that her mind was made up.
She didn’t plan to deceive him, at least he could see through her expression.
His most price woman had been seduced and deceived by a Silva.
For years, the Silva’s had crossed other families and gotten away with it.
Not this time. He was going to teach them a lesson.
His joy increased when he realized that Everly was no longer on their side.
“Very well then…” He nodded.
“Promise you won’t make trouble? I’m returning with you, so there’s no need to fight,” she said.
Darby masked the puckish desire that welled up in his mind.
“Of course!” He flashed his stained teeth.
He directed the boat towards the area where the others were waiting. At this point, Cristian had been joined by Matias and Bastian because they’d waited too long and hadn’t seen a sign of their brother or the woman that he’d rescued.
They wondered what had been discussed in the boat. Cristian’s eyes clashed with Everly’s. His heart raced when he noticed the sadness in her sapphire orbs. Something was wrong. He could sense it. Something shitty was about to go down.