Cursed Kiss by Taylor Helen Scott

Author:Taylor, Helen Scott [Taylor, Helen Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
Published: 2013-03-25T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

When Clare woke later that afternoon, her muscles had stiffened and her neck felt as though it had been put through a wringer.

She dressed for comfort in a burnt umber crushed silk dress with pretty beadwork on the bodice. She studied her reflection in the antique mirror in the bathroom. The dress color coordinated perfectly with her necklace of bruises. A few weeks ago, she'd have been horrified to be seen like this. Strange how a near-death experience rearranged one's priorities.

The bruising was too extensive to cover with makeup, so she ignored it. She added a brush of highlight to her cheeks and a touch of color to her lips, then made her way down the wide stone staircase to join the men on the terrace overlooking the garden.

As she approached, Pablo strode forward to greet her. He brushed his fingertips against her neck and clicked his tongue. "My poor Clare." Folding his arms around her, he held her gently. "How do you feel, mi amor?"

Clare accepted the embrace awkwardly, aware that Luka was only a few feet away, but unwilling to brush off Pablo's concern and hurt his feelings. She was slightly worried that he'd called her his love a few times now. It would be very awkward if he'd fallen for her when she had feelings for Luka.

Luka sat staring out over the garden. Why hadn't he greeted her? By now, he must have discussed the past few days with Pablo. Maybe he was angry with her, or disappointed. Then again, she might be imagining problems.

"Good evening," she said to him, and sat in the chair to his left as Pablo took the one on his right.

He glanced at her, but his eyes were hidden behind dark glasses. "Salut. Do you feel better now?"

"Some." Was it her imagination, or was there a distance between them that hadn't been there before?

He studied her neck. "You have finger marks. Who did this to you?"

Clare briefly considered describing her strange encounter with Edward, but it didn't feel like the right moment to go into personal details. "Someone who works for Monique. He just seemed to go crazy."

"Pablo said this man wants you to send me to Taldom."

"Monique's waiting for you, so you definitely can't go back now."

Luka sipped his wine. "I don't know. Perhaps if I return, things will finally be settled."

Pablo grasped Luka's arm. "Walking back into the clutches of that woman is madness."

"Monique and I have unfinished business. Before I die, it should be laid to rest."

"Ay, ay, ay. Stop talking about dying or I'll strangle you myself. Let's stay here. This isn't such a bad life."

Clare braced herself to make things a whole lot worse. "Monique introduced me to one of your relatives, a Jaska Vlad?"

Luka's forehead creased above the sunglasses. "My cousin."

"This guy mentioned you owe a debt of honor."

Luka released a lingering breath. "I expected that."

"You might want to reconsider going back. He said the debt was death for death because you killed one of your brothers.

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