Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

Chapter 63

Hamilton’s mood had been stormy, a tempest brooding behind his steely gaze since the moment Victor had brought up Natalia. A nagging irritation crept up his spine, an unwelcome guest that refused to leave.

He had convinced himself that Victor’s comments were water off a duck’s back. After all, he had no real intentions of getting serious with Natalia. When their contract expired, she would simply move on to the next man, a mere transaction of affection for financial gain. Hamilton had never planned to let it get personal.

So, when others had shown interest in Natalia, it had rolled off him without leaving a trace. All that mattered was that she understood her place and didn’t step out of line during their arrangement.

But Victor’s blatant, repeated displays of lust had begun to grate on him like an itch he couldn’t scratch.

Glancing at his phone, he punched in a number.

“What’s up?”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Find something for Victor to keep busy with.”

Alden was shocked. “What?”

He could hardly believe his ears. Victor might as well have been family to Hamilton; the two had grown up together, and their bond was supposed to be solid.

Why would Hamilton suddenly find trouble with Victor?

“Didn’t you understand me? I said, find him something to do!” Hamilton’s voice had grown. colder, more distant.

Alden paused, weighing his words. “Why, though? Did something happen?”

“Nothing.” Hamilton suppressed his annoyance with the flat reply.

“But why go after Victor out of the blue? If he traces it back to us, It’s going to be awkward. moving forward.”

Hamilton lit a cigarette, the flame from his lighter casting a flickering shadow across his chiseled face, etching the contours of his discontent.

“Can’t do it? If you can’t, I’ll find someone who can.”

Alden felt a chill. He could sense his brother’s vexation, the undercurrent of unease.

After a pause, he asked cautiously, “How far do you want me to go?”

different game than dealing with Gideon: this time, the stakes were personal. Hamilton took a drag of

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Chapter 61

in meddling in other people’s

he

found herself wide awake in bed. She was about to sift through her

willing to pass her my

She had a hunch that Victor was referring to her. The blood drained from her lips at

Hamilton’s

pause, Hamilton’s voice

find Ms. Jenkins yourself. Like I’ve said before, if she’s up for it, I won’t stand in your

until her knuckles turned white. The offhand cruelty in Hamilton’s voice hurt like a dull

things before, but hearing them firsthand

care–not one bit. Otherwise, how could he say such

was up for it, he wouldn’t stand in Victor’s

keep warning her not to get close

she tried to muster a calm response to

heard him. That’s straight from Hamilton’s mouth.”

she

If you’re

loose!”

lightly. “Hamilton’s a man, after all. Why would he let go of a woman so easily accessible? But you, Ms. Jenkins, what’s the point of sticking around him?”

a point or not is my

Jenkins. I’m

chase after someone else! The mere sight of you disgusts me. Taking those photos of

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a man’s middle name. How about this? Sleep with me just once,

“Get lost!”

she hung up, her breaths coming in ragged sips. She contemplated calling Hamilton,

with others? If he did care, why would he speak to Victor that

she couldn’t bring herself to dial. She no longer

that it sapped her very courage to question it. She dreaded hearing anything more unbearable. The last thing she wanted was to