8. Amara
Amara
The sun beats down as I glide through the water, each stroke a desperate attempt to wash away my worries.
I have two days left until SweetJustice’s deadline, and it looms over me like a storm cloud.
I should focus on getting something—anything—before the deadline. But my stomach knots at the very thought of it.
Poppy splashes beside me, laughter bubbling from her lips. She is blissfully unaware of the chaos swirling in my life. I envy her carefree spirit, even if just for today.
“Race you to the edge!” she shouts, her voice slicing through my anxiety.
I push off the bottom, propelling myself forward, feeling the cool water rush past me.
For a moment, everything else fades.
The constant bickering between Dom and Mom—but not the dread of SweetJustice’s ultimatum.
I only know that Dom is meeting other Syndicate leaders at Angels and Sinners at the weekend. I’m sure he was talking to Antonio Conti when they arranged that. But is that enough information for SweetJustice?
I suspect if my blackmailer is Caleb’s brother or another law enforcement person, it will be.
But if not, I need more information.
What could Dom possibly be up to? It eats away at me. He may be my stepfather, but that doesn’t mean I know him well enough to guess what lurks behind his icy blue eyes.
I should go home and talk to him. Will he know if I try to make the questions innocent?
My phone rings. It could be SweetJustice.
“I need to get that,” I tell Poppy.
As we reach the pool’s edge together, I hoist myself up and shake the water from my hair. My phone stops ringing but now vibrates on the lounge chair; my heart races as I dart over to grab it. Please don’t be SweetJustice…
“It’s Milly.” I tell Poppy, sighing in relief, but frustration simmers just beneath the surface.
“I’m kind of busy,” I answer, glancing back at Poppy, who swims lazily in circles.
“Love you too, sis?” Milly quips teasingly.
Poppy swims closer. “Come on! Call her back after.”
“Hey, Poppy! You forgot to wish Aunt Kate a happy birthday!” Caleb chides as he glances up from his book.
I smile at Caleb and then Poppy as she swims to the side.
“Yeah, sorry,” I reply absentmindedly to Milly, still staring at Caleb. “Did you visit Dad?”
“I’ll do it now,” Poppy says, pushing herself out of the pool.
“No. I went out with some girlfriends, but I’m thinking of visiting on Sunday.”
“Sunday,” I whisper, exhaling heavily as Milly continues chatting about the nightclub she went to on the other end of the line.
“Yeah. If you’re free, come with me.”
But Saturday is the night everything could happen, or nothing at all. And Sunday is the day I can disappear.
I sink into a nearby chair under an umbrella and cradle my phone in one hand while letting my mind drift back to London again—the city where I could vanish into anonymity. One text is all it takes.
I lean back in the chair, my phone pressed against my ear as Milly chats about Romeo. “Have you heard anything about him getting married soon? Has Dom mentioned anything?” she asks, her voice lifting with curiosity.
I shake my head, though she can’t see me. “Nope, nothing at all.”
“Seriously? You’d think he’d mention it to his favorite stepdaughter.” Milly chuckles, but I can hear the disappointment in her voice.
I glance toward Poppy, now sprawled on the couch in the living room, animatedly chatting with her aunt about Juilliard. It’s surreal how she’s completely oblivious to the storm brewing in my life.
“I can’t come with you,” I say suddenly, recalling my earlier lie. “I have a dance class on Sunday.”
Milly bursts into laughter. “You have two left feet! You can’t even stand on a surfboard without wiping out!”
“Hey!” I protest, feeling a flicker of indignation. “I’m a good surfer! Just because I’ve fallen off a few times—”
“A few?” Milly snickers.
“Okay, maybe more than a few.” I laugh with her.
Milly’s tone shifts as she adds, “So how about coming out with me tomorrow night? I’m meeting a few university friends. Bring Poppy. We’re meeting at a bar in Broadbeach. The Kost Bar and Grill. We’re having dinner there too.”
“Yes! Absolutely,” I reply, eager to escape this house and its chaos—even if just for a night. “I need to get out and forget my troubles for a bit.”
“Great! See you at seven, tomorrow night.” I’m already looking forward to it. The idea of spending time at home feels suffocating with Dom and Helena at each other’s throats.
She hangs up, and as I lower my phone, I catch Caleb’s eyes from across the room. His book is on the side table and he’s leaning on his side.
“What was that about?” he asks casually.
“Milly wants me to join her at a bar in Broadbeach tomorrow.”
His brows lift slightly. “A wild night out?”
I smirk back at him but feel something tighten in my chest. “Maybe not wild... but definitely needed.”
Caleb tilts his head slightly; his gaze lingers on me longer than necessary. I shift under his scrutiny.
“You should have some fun,” he says softly before turning away and grabbing his book again.
My heart sinks into my stomach at how nonchalant he is about it.
“Yeah,” I murmur to myself, wondering if ‘fun’ could really chase away the darkness looming just outside this perfect facade of life.
I glance into the living room where Poppy is giggling as she talks on the phone, then I stride to Caleb.
I lean down to him and press a kiss on his lips.
“Amara—”
I pull away from Caleb, my heart racing but my mind spinning with frustration.
“Why do you only want me when Poppy isn’t around?” I snap, feeling a wave of dejection wash over me. The thrill of the kiss fades into bitterness. “It’s like I’m just your dirty secret.”
His brows furrow, and he runs a hand through his hair. “That’s not fair, Amara. You know I want you.”
“Words aren’t enough!” I fire back, anger bubbling up like hot lava. It stings to feel used, like I’m a fleeting distraction he uses when it suits him.
Caleb sits up on the lounge bed, and before I can catch my breath, he drags me onto the bed. His lips crash against mine again, igniting a familiar spark that blazes through me.
Every nerve ending pops to life, but the feeling of being toyed with still lingers.
Poppy’s voice breaks through the moment as she finishes her call. “Bye Aunt Kate! Love you!”
Caleb suddenly pulls back, his expression shifting from passion to panic.
“Damn it,” he mutters, pushing me away gently.
My heart sinks as the heat of the kiss evaporates in an instant.
“You’re no better than anyone else,” I hiss, fury mixing with disappointment as I grab my bag, clothes, and car keys.
“Amara—”
“I have to go home.” The words come out sharper than intended.
“Wait,” he says, his voice softening as if trying to catch me before I slip away completely.
Poppy wanders outside. She stares at me with everything in my hands. “Where are you going?”
“I have an assignment due Monday.” The lie rolls off my tongue effortlessly as I step into the house.
She narrows her eyes but plays along for now. “You know we don’t hand in assignments until the end of the semester.”
I swing my bag over my shoulder, trying to sound casual. “It’s not for uni. It’s for an online course I’m taking.” My heart races under Poppy’s watchful gaze.
“You’re lying,” she states bluntly but with no accusation in her tone.
“Oh. I know, I’m sorry. I just need to go home. Milly said something that worried me!” I hate that I’m still lying to Poppy, but what am I supposed to say? “She also invited us out for dinner tomorrow at seven. Do you fancy it?”
Poppy brightens as I open the door; Caleb follows quietly. “Absolutely.”
At my car, I throw my things into my trunk. “Damn. My towel.”
“Just a minute. I’ll get it,” Poppy says.
The moment Poppy disappears, Caleb catches up with me and tilts my chin high so our eyes meet.
“You shouldn’t lie,” he breathes.
“What do you want me to say to her? That you rejected me? That I’m feeling worthless?” My voice cracks at the last word.
“I’m not rejecting you,” he insists, his gray eyes locking with mine. “I’m trying to work out how to have you without losing her.”
He leans down again and kisses me tenderly on the lips one last time before pulling back slightly. “Go home before I do something I will regret.”
“I want you to.”
“Amara.” The tone in his voice is a warning.
“Log onto the website and switch your camera on.”
“Caleb,” I say softly, glancing back at him. “I don’t show my face anymore. I only chat with clients.” My breath hitches as I remember those intimate moments we’ve shared—behind a screen, behind a mask.
“Will you do it for me?” He steps closer, his voice dropping to a sultry whisper that sends shivers down my spine.
“Yeah.” I bite my lip, trying to steady the flood of emotions that threatens to spill over.
His gaze darkens. “Then make it for my eyes only. I want to see you fall apart in front of me again.”
“But only on the screen,” I stammer, feeling heat rise in my cheeks.
He sighs heavily, frustration clear in his posture. “Yes, until you’re ready, Amara. Because you’re not ready.” He reaches out, brushing his fingertips along my arm.
“I am,” I insist, leaning into his touch. “I want you. And I know you want me.”
The tension crackles between us like electricity, but then Poppy steps outside. Her laughter rings through the air and Caleb’s hand drops from my arm as if I’ve burned him. The warmth vanishes instantly, leaving only an aching dull space in its wake.
I turn away from him and climb into my car, trying to shake off the weight of our moment together.
Poppy pops her head in the passenger side. “Are you driving tomorrow?”
“I’ll drive you both,” Caleb says as I start the engine.
I should turn him down, but I can’t. I want him so badly I hurt inside. Even these stolen moments are enough for now.
And I hate I can't just walk away.
“Thanks, Dad,” Poppy says, slamming my car door.
I slowly pull away, staring at Caleb in the rearview mirror.
As I drive home, doubt creeps in. Why is Caleb insisting on me giving him a show on the website, when we could have had that moment in his home?
Is Caleb SweetJustice? Or is he working for his brother to bring Dom down? The thought gnaws at me.
Caleb’s desperation echoes in my mind: “I’ll do anything to make you mine.” Does that include bringing Dominic de Luca to his knees?
There’s only one way to find out.
I have to set him up. I’ll give him a show, but if that video comes back to haunt me, I’ll know Caleb is trying to take Dom down…and me, it seems.
And tonight it begins.
When I pull into the garage, I send Caleb a message. I’m home. Give me half an hour to freshen up.
The elevator hums softly as it glides up from the underground garage, the noise amplifying my anxiety.
Caleb is still on my mind, the thought he could be my blackmailer only adding to my angst.
When the doors slide open, I step out. There are raised voices drifting down the hall. As usual, it’s Dom and Mom.
“You were supposed to be gone today,” Dom’s voice rumbles, low and gravelly.
I freeze just outside the door, curiosity pulling me closer even though dread coils in my stomach.
“I’m not leaving without telling Amara and Milly we’re being thrown out,” Mom snaps back, her voice sharp with frustration.
My heart races. I peek around the corner, glimpsing them.
Dom stands there, tall and imposing. He yanks Mom’s arm back, forcing her to face him. His grip is firm but not brutal—definitely a warning.
“Listen to me,” he says through gritted teeth. “The girls can stay until they finish university.”
Mom jerks away from his grasp, her eyes blazing with anger. “You think that gives you the right to decide what happens to us? You’re a piece of shit, Dominic.”
“I know.”
“Amara is coming with me,” Mom insists again, crossing her arms defiantly as she meets his piercing blue gaze.
My pulse quickens at the mention of my name; all this turmoil swirls around me like smoke in the air.
Dom shifts slightly but keeps his gaze steady on Mom. “She’s staying.”
“Over my dead body.”
Dom grins. “It can be arranged.”