Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 12

Hamilton sidled up to Natalia, his large hand casually wrapping around her waist. A smirk. played on his lips, but his eyes were a chilly expanse of ice. “What’s got you so tickled pink? Mind sharing the joke?”

Natalia offered a strained smile. “Mr. Henkel was just saying your old flame’s coming back to town.”

Hamilton chuckled lightly, not bothering to pick up the thread of that conversation. Instead, he prodded, “And do you find this cause for giggles, Ms. Jenkins?”

Natalia felt a heavy knot in her stomach. What was she supposed to do, not smile? It’s not like she could grab Hamilton and wail about why he could pine for a past flame but not give her the time of day. She prided herself on being more self–aware than that.

“I was just happy for Mr. Fowler,” she said.

Hamilton’s expression darkened. “Well, I’m just overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness.”

Victor watched the sparring pair and couldn’t help but laugh. “Hey, Fowler, when your old flame shows up, give me a heads–up. I’ll take Ms. Jenkins off your hands. That way, it’s not like I’m poaching, right?”

The hint of a cold smile flickered across Hamilton’s brooding face.

“What’s this? You two cooking up a scheme?”

“No!” Natalia blurted out, a bit too quickly.

Victor might not care about Hamilton’s opinion, but Natalia had to.

“I’ve already turned Mr. Henkel down.”

But Victor seemed unbothered. “Don’t be so hasty to refuse, Ms. Jenkins. Sometimes you gotta taste a few dishes to know which one really satisfies your cravings,” he said, leaving them with that thought.

Natalia’s face soured. She suspected Victor was just trying to get back at her. “Mr. Fowler, I really don’t have those kinds of feelings for him.”

Hamilton swirled the liquor in his glass, his expression unreadable.

“Isn’t it just about the money for you, Ms. Jenkins? Why isn’t Victor up to snuff?”

Her smile faded, the corners of her mouth turning white with the effort to keep the bitterness at bay.

“Three years with Mr. Fowler, my standards have naturally risen.”

Hamilton was unimpressed, his gaze heavy on Natalia.

once our contract’s up, you can be with whomever you please. But until then, I

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Chapter 12

making eyes at any

nodded stiffly, her

Natalia, his attention demanded elsewhere. Women, one

in the corner, feeling a weariness that seeped into her

her feelings. It hurt because,

into

Hamilton seldom used a driver; he preferred to be in control, behind the wheel. Men with an overbearing need for control didn’t usually do well with the unpredictable

love. Yet, she was wrong. Maybe he could handle being out of control, just

building, the driver long gone. Inside, Hamilton, slightly tipsy,

okay?” Natalia asked tentatively.

his eyes, Hamilton pulled off her shawl and nipped at

biting back a sharper pain. “Mr. Fowler, I can

Hamilton tightened his grip, pulling her close. “Was chatting

“It wasn’t.”

yet you laughed so joyfully

just basic courtesy,” she replied bitterly.

chuckle. “Such good manners, Ms. Jenkins.”

chest. The designer dress she wore. didn’t survive the night; it was torn beyond

we not tonight?”

Victor? Are you saving yourself for him?”

It was almost laughable–he didn’t love her, yet he was possessive to a maddening degree. It seemed to be a common flaw among men: their toys could be ignored, but heaven

I’m

quirked. “You could always

with their

cradling her belly protectively. When it was

Hamilton carried her straight into the bathroom. He managed to clean them both up before tucking her into

Hamilton didn’t seem satisfied. He resumed his attentions,

at him weakly. “Mr. Fowler, I’m truly

his knee between her legs, leaving her no room

usually despised. Irritably, he checked it, but to her surprise, he didn’t snap. His mood shifted,

leaving Natalia alone with her thoughts–empty for a moment, as if she didn’t

Hamilton at this