Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(104)

I stood in the way.

His feelings for me blinded him from the reality of what Sophia could do if Garrett left. Out of spite, she would ruin George’s life. And I wasn’t sure how many Lords were here that favored George over any lies that may be told by Lord Chitwood. Being that George was a new king, he had a lot to prove, and he hadn’t had enough time to do that yet.

Eve squeezed me. “What are you going to do?”





Garrett





Chapter 42





“Do you seriously have to be in every conversation we have?” I asked Reddington, as he poured himself a drink of brandy.

He peered over his shoulder, shaking his head, and ignored me.

“We have a written agreement from King Ezra of Aruna that he will support our decision with filtering out all the tainted parliament members of Telliva,” George informed me, puffing on one of Father’s cigars in the war room.

I peered over the papers I was reading. “Best news I’ve gotten all week.” I handed him one of my mandates. “I have my men investigating Lord Chitwood and his little cronies. We’ll see if anything comes up and, if not, we’ll place doubt with his peers. By the time I’m done with him, he’ll wish he never would’ve listened to his flighty daughter and wasted away his career.”

“Would you like me to consider obtaining new Parliament members?” Reddington inquired. “Might be beneficial to have men from other countries here. We can obtain their ideas, and possibly money for the army.”

George exhaled smoke. “Not a bad idea, let’s see where it takes us.” He looked over at me. “You should go put some faith in your fiancée. She had a run-in today from your aspiring bride this afternoon.”

I frowned at him, standing from my chair. “And you’re just telling me now, George?!”

He simply shrugged. “Wanted to give you the good news before you stalked away all pissy. Ava is a big girl; she handled herself just fine.”

Leaving the room, I made my way to Ava’s. My tired mind started to feel hopeful. We weren’t going down without fighting, hitting Chitwood with everything we had. If he wanted to fight dirty, I would plant evidence on him; I didn’t give a shit. Nothing was going to stand in my way.

Not some overweight piece of shit judge nor imp of a daughter.

Knocking on her door, I waited.

Nothing.

Pushing it open, I walked in, only to find the room empty.

Completely empty.

None of her books were stacked on her bed stand; her perfumes and blushes weren’t on her vanity.

Moving further into the room, my heart began beating out of my chest. I was baffled, not understanding what was happening. She sent me a note last night, telling me that Eve and she were having a girls’ night in, and I took the hint to not disturb them. I’d spent the night playing cards with George, drinking and bullshitting about our plan to take the Chitwoods down.

Confusion turned into panic. Something was wrong.

Marching to the closet, I found none of her dresses or clothing. Her suitcases were gone.

I shook my head. “No.”

Opening the vanity, everything else was missing. Did she move rooms? Maybe she went to my mother’s side of the caste.

No, she would have told me. Or maybe it was sudden.

Making my way to the door, a small note was propped up on top her pillow. Retrieving it, I prayed that it wasn’t a ransom letter of some kind. Unsealing it quickly, I read the contents.

My dearest Garrett,

By the time you read this letter, I’ll obviously be gone. Please don’t be angry with me. I couldn’t let you give up Hara and George by being blinded by your feelings for me. I’m now a liability to keep your siblings safe.

Without you, George would be left alone to fight against men that I believe want to take him down. He needs you here by his side. With your marriage to Sophia, it’ll keep Hara and George safe until you can find other means to rid the Chitwoods altogether.

I would ask you to not look for me, but you will. Please don’t look too long; you won’t find me, my darling. I am safe, I promise to stay that way.

As much as it pains me to say this, I need you to move on. I want you to live a long, happy life, but I know that will be difficult for you at first. Know that when I’m away, I will always love you. You will forever be a part of me; that will never fade. I hope that someday you find peace in knowing that I did this to keep everyone safe and sound.

I will always be yours.

I love you with all my heart and soul, Avie

I read the note twice, not thinking I was reading it right the first time.

She left me.

Without a word or clue. She agreed to my plan, we talked about it, made love, and talked about it some more. Now, suddenly, she changed her damn mind?

I was pissed.

No, I was fucking livid.

I threw the note and left the room, running to get George. I would wring her beautiful little neck. The stubborn wretch didn’t know what the hell she was even talking about. I told her that I would never stop looking for her if she left me, and I meant it.

The only thing she wrote that was correct in that letter was that she was mine. And what was mine wouldn’t stay far from me. I would hunt her down to the ends of the Earth until I found her. And then she would pay. Rough at first, and then I’d take her gently, torturing her sweet, soft body.