'I Do' For Revenge-Chapter 73: The Syndicate

The kiss caught me completely off guard, even though some part of me had been waiting for it all night.

His lips were soft at first, gentle, like he was testing the waters, but then it deepened, his hand sliding from my cheek to the nape of my neck, pulling me closer.

Unlike our previous kisses: the quick, obligatory ones, like at the wedding or that tense moment after his confession about his parents, this one felt real, electric, like a spark igniting something we’d both been ignoring.

There was no audience, no performance; it was just us in the quiet hallway, his warm body pressed against mine, my heart pounding so hard I thought he could feel it.

If I were to keep count, this would be our first true kiss, the kind that stays with you long after it’s over, making me feel breathless and wanting more.

Axel pulled back slowly, his forehead resting against mine, both of us breathing heavily. "Convinced yet?" he whispered in a husky voice.

I managed a shaky laugh, my fingers still clutching his shirt. "Maybe. Ask me again tomorrow."

He smiled, that rare, genuine one that made my knees weak, and stepped back. "Goodnight, Layla."

"Goodnight," I murmured, watching him walk down the hall before slipping into my room.

I leaned against the door, touching my lips, replaying the evening: the laughter, the touches, the way his eyes had softened.

For the first time, our marriage felt like more than a matter of revenge or convenience.

But as I changed for bed, doubt crept in. Was this real, or just the wine and the night’s magic? I pushed it aside, telling myself to focus on the thrill tonight.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Henry Porter: Can we meet to discuss starting fresh on our business deal? No strings attached.

I ignored it and allowed sleep to take me into a lovely dream where Axel and I were sailing the Mediterranean, no cameras, no lies, just us.

—

The next morning over breakfast, Axel acted as if nothing had happened. He sat across from me at the kitchen table, reading emails on his phone while sipping his coffee.

"I’ve got a lead on that finance error," he said without looking up. "It’s pointing to possible internal sabotage."

"Internal sabotage?" I paused with my fork halfway to my mouth. "You think someone inside the company is deliberately causing problems?"

"It’s starting to look that way. We should investigate discreetly, maybe hold a meeting with the finance team."

"When do you want to do that?"

"This afternoon, if possible."

The kiss we shared the night before lingered between us, and neither of us mentioned it.

"Sounds good," I said, trying to match his professional tone.

After breakfast, we left the house together. Axel went around to open my car door, offering his hand to help me out when we arrived at the office.

"Thank you," I said, accepting his assistance.

As we walked toward the building entrance, I noticed paparazzi waiting for us. The security team was trying to keep them at bay, but questions started flying immediately.

"Are the rumours true that your marriage is likely a sham?"

"Was the dinner last night an attempt to prove the rumours wrong?"

"Mrs. O’Brien, how do you respond to claims that you’re only together for business reasons?"

"Is it true you’re sleeping in separate rooms?"

Axel and I ignored all the questions, but as soon as we got to the top of the small front stairs, just a few steps away from the large glass front door, Axel stopped and turned to face me.

Before I could process what was happening, he kissed me again, just like last night.

The butterflies in my stomach that I had managed to quiet down came back, fluttering wildly. For a moment, I forgot about the cameras flashing, the "awwwwn" and "wooooooow" and applause going on in the background.

It was just Axel and me.

Finally, he pulled back, and my lips tingled at the loss of contact. His forehead remained pressed against mine as I found my voice.

"What was that for?" I whispered.

Axel smiled and whispered back, "Since they want to know what’s going on in our private lives, let’s give them a show."

Then he kissed me again, this time longer, his hand cupping my face tenderly. I melted into him, my hands finding their way to his chest. When we broke apart, I was breathless.

"Better?" he asked softly.

"Much better," I managed.

We walked into the building hand in hand, and I saw the staff running helter-skelter to their positions. Apparently, they’d also been watching through the glass doors.

At the point where we would separate to go to our respective offices, Axel stopped.

"I’ll send for you later about that meeting," he said.

"Okay."

He gave me a peck on the lips, and we parted ways.

I entered my office, still reeling from the effects the kisses had on me. My heart was racing, and I could still feel the warmth of his lips on mine.

Helena knocked and entered a few minutes later.

"Good morning, ma’am. How are you doing?" she asked, settling into the chair across from my desk.

"I’m fine, Helena. What of you?"

"I’m okay, Ma. Sorry if I’m intruding, but you are really fine, right?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, with all the rumours circulating and everything. I saw the paparazzi outside when I arrived."

"What rumours?"

"About your marriage being fake. They’re still circulating despite the viral date photos showing you and Mr. O’Brien looking cosy last night."

I waved my hand dismissively. "Those people are jobless. While they’re gossiping, I’m here enjoying my marriage."

Helena smiled. "That’s a good attitude to have. Should I give you a rundown of your schedule for today?"

"Please do."

"You have a free schedule this morning, Mr O’Brien mentioned a finance team meeting this afternoon, a conference call with the Portland investors at three, and Mrs. Wellington’s assistant called to reschedule her visit. There are a few document that needs your approval, but that’s it for today."

"Good. About that finance meeting, can you confirm the time with Axel? We discussed it over breakfast."

"Of course, I’ll check with Mr O’Brien right away."

After Helena left, I found myself with nothing urgent to handle for the first two hours of the morning. I remembered the surveillance I’d set up at Erica’s safe house and decided to check the listening device app for the first time.

I pulled out my phone and opened the app, putting in my earbuds. For the first thirty-five to forty minutes, there was nothing interesting... maybe a random order or comment as Erica spoke to the guards.

"Could you bring me some tea?"

"Thank you."

"I’ll be taking a shower now."

Normal, innocuous conversation.

Then I heard Erica on what was clearly a phone call, sounding tense and frustrated.

"I told you before, I can’t sneak out of here to meet you," she said. "This place is basically Fort Knox. Guards are watching me ninety-five percent of the time."

My stomach twisted with unease.

"Just give me a little more space to figure this out," Erica continued. "I’m working on gaining their trust, but it takes time."

The words sounded suspicious, like Erica was planning something covert. My hands trembled as I listened.

"No, I can’t just leave."

There was a pause as she listened to whoever was on the other end.

"Look, I don’t want any suspicion on my end, so I have to be more careful."

My blood ran cold.