Chapter 414
“She said she was getting bored sitting around the house, so I signed her and Jasper up for some parent-child craft classes. They’ve been busy with that p>
Lance cut straight to the point. “Camilla, let’s not change the subject. Why didn’t you contact the men I left for you? You would rather go to Barnard for help than come to me? If I hadn’t made it in time today, do you have any idea what p>
Before he could finish his angry reprimand, Camilla tilted her head up and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth.
The words died in Lance’s throat. He stared at her in stunned silence.
Aside from the time Barnard had drugged her on the cruise ship, this was the very first time Camilla had ever initiated any form of intimacy.
They lived together at Laguna Shores, and to the outside world, they were a couple. But only Lance knew the agonizing reality: he was the only one driving their relationship forward.
She hadn’t even defined their relationship, let alone shown him everyday affection.
Camilla knelt on the mattress, wrapping her slender arms around his neck. “Lance, I have absolutely nothing to do with Barnard anymore. You are the only one I care about. Be good. Don’t compare yourself to trash like him. He’s not worthy p>
Her voice was impossibly soft, dripping with the same tender, coaxing sweetness she usually reserved for Jasper.
Lance swallowed hard but held his ground. “Why didn’t you use my men? Why did you go near Barnard p>
There was no dodging the interrogation. Camilla sighed. “Those men have too many dirty connections. I didn’t want the people you sent to get dragged into the crossfire. And I didn’t reach out to Barnard for help—I just wanted to see if I could extract some intel from him. I p>
“And what was the result?” Lance demanded, his voice hardening. “Camilla, if I hadn’t shown up today, do you know what would have happened to you p>
He had never raised his voice at her. Ever. The sheer coldness in his tone made her shrink with guilt.
She broke eye contact, knowing she was entirely in the wrong, and didn’t dare argue back.
“I told you I would handle every obstacle in your way,” Lance continued, his chest rising and falling. “You didn’t even give my protection a chance. Why are you so convinced my people can’t keep you safe p>
“I Camilla opened her mouth, but the words failed her.
Seeing her look so small, Lance didn’t have the heart to push her further. He fetched the first-aid kit, grabbed the iodine, and sat on the edge of the bed. Taking her wrists gently in his hands, he meticulously cleaned the angry red rope burns.
When he finally spoke again, his voice was calmer. “Tell me. What exactly are you and Carol planning? Who are you investigating p>
The storm hadn’t passed; it was just the eerie calm before it broke. Not daring to hide anything else, Camilla laid it all out—their suspicions about Clement, his criminal past, and his direct ties to Mike.
Lance remained silent as he flawlessly bandaged her wrists. Finally, he packed away the kit. “Go to sleep. I’ll take you to see someone tomorrow p>
Camilla could feel the lingering frost in his demeanor. As he turned to leave the room, panic flared in her chest. “Lance, can you stay? Please? Just stay and talk to me p>
Lance paused. He turned back, but instead of getting into bed, he sat down on the rug with his back facing her.
Seeing that he was still actively sulking, she reached out and poked his broad shoulder. “Lance. Will you look at me p>
He shifted slightly, casting a brief glance over his shoulder before staring straight ahead again. “I can hear you just fine p>
Throughout their entire courtship, Lance had always been the relentless pursuer. Now that he was genuinely giving her the cold shoulder, Camilla felt completely out of her depth.
“Lance,” she coaxed, “I want to see your face. Can you come a little closer p>
As she spoke, she scooted further toward the center of the bed, patting the empty space beside her.
Lance saw the invitation in his peripheral vision. His Adam’s apple bobbed, but he remained firmly planted on the floor.
More than her getting near Barnard, he was furious that she treated her own life with such reckless disregard. She refused the protection he offered and walked straight into a snake pit with no guard up. It was maddening.
“Lance Her voice drifted softly from behind him.
He gritted his teeth, determined to ignore her, until she spoke again. “Lance, I was actually really scared today. Can you please just come hold me p>
This fiercely independent woman, who normally kept everyone at arm’s length, was practically begging for comfort. She was the woman he had obsessively loved for so long.
Lance’s heart hammered violently against his ribs. A suffocating wave of despair and tender affection washed over him.
He couldn’t stay mad at her. Letting out a heavy, defeated sigh, he stood up and opened his arms.
Camilla stayed curled up at the edge of the bed, not moving, silently demanding that he join her on the mattress to hold her.
She kept her head down so he couldn’t see her face, but Lance wasn’t an idiot. He knew the woman he loved wouldn’t break down over a kidnapping.
She was acting. She was manipulating him, softening him up.
And he was entirely willing to let her.
Lance climbed onto the bed and pulled her securely into his arms.
Pressed against his chest, Camilla murmured, “Lance, I really like you. Please don’t be mad at me anymore. From now on, no matter what happens, we face it together p>
After months of anxiety and hesitation, she finally took the leap.
Though a trace of apprehension still laced her words—knowing the looming threat of Jasper’s biological father—she had made her choice. She was going to trust Lance completely.