“The Odious Oranges?!” Milo grabs his pipe as an attempt to calm himself down. “And you’re saying the bodyguards are in cahoots with them?!”

Theo had woken Delia from her slumber, encouraging her to prepare herself for the upcoming discussion. They had to sacrifice cleanliness for timeliness—she hadn't realized that she fell asleep in Theo's sweater, lacking undergarments. She cared until he brought her two boiled eggs in a bowl. Delia hadn’t expected such chivalry—especially from Theo. It was an attempt to cheer her up before the inevitable. She devoured them quickly, before getting dressed into something casual—a plain yellow sleeveless dress that didn’t match her complexion at all. Theo didn’t care, barely dragging Delia out the door as she threw her hair into a messy bun. He had lead her to Milo's study—and managed to interrupt the older man's teatime. Fast-forward, here they are.

“Yes.” Theo stiffens his shoulders, his posture stills. Telling Milo was a risk not just for Oli’s safety, but for the entire families involved. Delia hopes they’ve made the right move. “One of them attacked Delia in the hall days ago.”

“My word…” His silver brows crinkle. “I never thought these bandits would slither into my own home. This is what I get for having a traitor within the family.”

“With all due respect, this has nothing to do with Oli. He’s the one who suggested that we come to you, knowing full well what the ramifications would be. This has nothing to do with him.”

“It absolutely does, my dear. If it weren’t for Olivin’s treachery in the first place, that gang would have no ties with us.”

“How is that relevant to what’s happening now? Oli would never put a hit on us, and yet we’re in the grasp of these men. Who knows how long it will take before they want even more than what I can offer them?”

“We came to get help, not to talk about my brother,” Theo adds curtly.

“Yes, yes. I suppose it’d be a bit much over the boy’s head to organize such a thing. Right—the kidnappers—it’d make sense why you two were so insistent upon obtaining such land. Will this place be their hideout?”

“Assuming so—what else would they need an island for?”

“Illegal forages, smuggling substances, uninterrupted meetings—I could write a whole book before the day is done. There’s a lot of appeal in a remote space.” Milo taps on his desk. “But we’re not here to discuss such trivialities. Your lives are at stake, and we cannot have that.”

“We need to do this covertly, and you’re not good at doing things low-key.” Theo lowers his voice. “If you mess up, we’re torched or dead.”

“Ye who lacks faith always ends up dead,” Milo says calmly while taking a smoke from his pipe. “Now, what made Olivin display his concerns in the first place?” Why did Delia hesitate to speak? This was her moment to out Delius—brand him as a traitor. The sliver of love she had left in her heart prevented her from tattling.

“He wanted to warn us about the kidnappers’ plans.” Theo edges in, filling the silence in the room. 

“Your brother was never the heroic type. There had to be something else, or he wouldn’t be lingering on the property.” Wait—does Milo not know about Oli’s relationship with Delius? Or, was he playing coy?

“Oli was following the kidnappers’ trail and managed to sneak in last night to warn us of their plans. He knows he can’t come through the front door or you’d have him in chains.” There’s a slight bitterness in Theo’s voice as he continues, “Listening was never your forte.”

“We’ll save the mudslinging for later, eh boy?” Milo gives Theo a wink before focusing on Delia. “I’m truly sorry you have to see the ugly side of our family so soon after joining it.”  

“No worries,” Delia can’t mask her unease, bringing her arms to her chest for comfort. A creeping suspicion lingers through her as he listens to Milo and Theo converse. Despite their differences in personality, it was like staring at the same man—in past, and future. She doesn’t focus on that for long, as she’s pulled back into the conversation.

“Can you describe the man who jumped you?”

“Big, taller than Theo, brown hair, gruff-looking.”

“They’re all working for the same boss. We need to get rid of all of them.”

There's a gleam of intrigue in Milo's amber eyes. “Is Olivin still on the property? Because that boy will be a wonderful decoy.”

“I’m not putting him in harm’s way.”

“It's the life he chose, Theodore. If he wants to be of any use to his family as he is, he will serve without question. No harm will come to him.”

Delia sees Theo wince with anger; he quells it quickly. “What is your plan?”

“I know a man…he's well-versed in secret criminal organizations.”

Theo shoots a speculative look at his grandfather, “It’s not that author friend of yours, is it?”

“Oh, no no no—not him. His brother, Anys. He’s a master at keeping in the shadows and will capture those bastards before they have a chance to do any real damage.” They had kidnapped both Delia and Theo against their will—and even drugging him when he didn’t comply—that alone was irreparably traumatizing. Theo glances in Delia’s direction, indicating that his thoughts are similar.

“Ah-knees?” Theo straightens. “Are you sure that isn’t a code name?”

“It’s an unusual moniker yes, but he may offer us some help. Whether it’s his real name or not is irrelevant. I will make a call. When he gets back to me, summon Olivin to my study and I'll tell him what his duties are.”

“He’s not coming here alone.”

“Surely you don’t think I’d maim my own grandson…even if he deserves a little prodding from the coals.” Milo laughs as if he has told a joke. “If it puts your mind at ease, Theodore, then by all means come sit in.”

“It would put my mind at great ease.” He echoes back to Milo.

“Treat your wife to a nice lunch, and get her out of that room. I’ll have measures in place that give her the freedom to wander around the manor by herself. Especially since the Firthes are due back for tea this afternoon.”

Delia grimaces at her maiden name. She despised the lot of them. To her disappointment, Milo notices. “I understand how frustrating family can be, but please entertain them when they arrive.”

Delia gives a curt nod, her eyes glued to the floor.

“Don’t pressure her.” Theo's tone is a warning. Delia appreciates Theo's back up; he's the only person she can trust. Marriage was built on the foundations of trust and love, and this man has certainly earned her trust.

“I’m suggesting she meet with them, not make amends. What she did for her family is admirable, and it's for the best she maintains a civil relationship. Both of you can’t afford to act suspicious.” He takes his time savouring the taste of his pipe. As much as it annoys her admit, Milo's right. Eyes will be on them now more than ever. Before Theo and Delia take their leave, Milo gives them the instructions that he will get his trusted footman to contact them when a plan was in formation.

Just as Delia's about to speak, Theo takes the lead. “I'm hungry—let's go to the kitchen.” Theo leads Delia by the arm to the room mentioned. It's not too far, only takes a flight of stairs and fifteen steps to the right. Delia can tell by Theo's strict impression that he wishes to remain off the subject of kidnappers. It's wise, for she wishes not to discuss them either. Upon their arrival, Delia gasps at what she sees—stainless steel appliances with marble granite countertops; this was no traditional kitchen. Her violet eyes sparkle as she lets go of Theo's arm to explore. He takes a seat at the island near the window.

“Care to make me one of those special sandwiches you touted on Insta?”

Delia flushes, “Right now?!”

Theo frowns, “No, tomorrow—of course, I mean now. I just said I was hungry.”

“Don’t need to be so sarcastic,” Delia mutters. Yeah, loving this man would take a long time—if ever—with that attitude of his. She rolls her eyes—glad to see he’s back to that. “But because you were somewhat nice to me during my stay, I won’t find a knife to stab you with.”

“You could put arsenic in my sandwich—which is in the pantry should you change your mind.”

“Who keeps arsenic in the pantry?” a long pause before she sees Theo’s blank stare. “Are you seriously going to start teasing me before I make your food?”

He lets out an unexpected laugh. He's amused with her irritation. But, she’s got to show him that her egg sandwiches were to die for. He did promise to help her with the business.

After many an attempt to find the proper utensils, ingredients and plates, she cuts the finished product into triangles. Three types of egg sandwiches—all delicious, and lacking pepper. The only ingredient lacking was salt—but it was on a shelf too high for her to reach, and there’s no way she was asking for Theo's assistance.

She hands him the plate, smiling when she sees his brows lift. He likes the presentation. She eagerly watches as he takes a bite—stuffing the first sandwich in his mouth. He follows suit with the second and third one, his smile reaches not only makes her heart swell but reaches to the depths of her abdomen.

It all falls apart when he says, “Needs pepper.”

“You looked like you died and gone to heaven when you devoured my plate.” She growls.

“And they were very tasty. All I’m saying is that pepper would perfect it.” He smiles again, stirring pangs of unholy attraction. “Can taste the passion and care of this dish.”

Delia stammers, having to glance at the oddly placed orange painting on the wall to distract herself from wanting to kiss him. The way to her heart is through her sandwiches... “Thanks, but I have to ask; why want me to make them now?”

“Figured it’d calm you down before you have tea with your grandmother.”

“Surely that's not—ah—that’s kind. Very kind.” He didn’t have to show such courtesy towards her. There was no one present to witness his actions.

“I’m thankful you didn’t put dish soap in my batch.”

“I considered it.” She laughs wryly, attempting to keep her feelings under wraps. They were interrupted last night—but her heart falls as soon as she's reminded why their liaison had ceased.

Delius's betrayal.

Knowing what had happened, could she be so cordial with her grandmother? It's obvious that she knew, and most likely helped him cover it up.

“You’re tense again.”

There was no sense in hiding why that’s the case. “Thinking about this afternoon.”

“Ah.”

Delia’s thankful that he doesn’t encourage her to feel better. “I don’t know how to address her—she more than likely knows about what Delius did.”

“I don’t mean to play devil’s advocate,” Delia doesn’t like where he’s going with this, “but, what reason would he have to illegally sell private information? What date did your stocks plummet?”

“When the shareholders withdrew their holdings—a month and a half ago. It’s why Delius and Thea were arranged so quickly—” It’s why she’s married to Theo, right now.

“Ah,” He says again. “I should have known that. Delius seems like a smart man—or he would have to be if he’s operating as a CEO—so why would he do something so irreparably foolish?”

What frustrates Delia is that she doesn’t have an answer for him. “Wish I knew. I knew he wasn’t street smart, but to do something like this—” She doesn’t want to make excuses for him, and shamelessly, she doesn’t want to detach from her anger. He deserved every morsel of her wrath. However, she can’t deny that Theo’s raising a good question.

Why would Delius do something so irreparably foolish?

Sitting in the Avangards’ Tea Room was much different from her own back at the Firthe Manor. The walls were modern, the framing elegant, but contemporary. Yet, three gaudy paintings hung with pride—one of each of the Avangard siblings holding their favourite fruit. All painted in preteenhood. A small Thea juggling mangoes, a lanky toothy Oli beaming as he holds his orange above his had with pride (how fitting, considering he'd end up with a gang with the orange moniker later in life), and Theo—looking slightly younger than the other two—displaying a ripe pumpkin bigger than his head. She might be biased, but he looks the cutest.

The paintings provide an excellent distraction; dissolving immediately when she hears her grandmother’s voice.

God, how is she going to sit through this?

“You look surprisingly radiant given our parting.” She appreciates that her grandmother didn’t like to mince words.

Neither did she.

Delia folds her arms crossly, “As you, knowing that you sold your granddaughter for money.”

“Delia, I gave you the choice. You didn’t have to marry Theodore—you chose to.”

“It was a heavily influenced choice.” She pauses as a server dips in to pour their tea—a lemon blend both Delia and her grandmother preferred. Her voice picks up when the server leaves. “A choice Delius should have made.”

“I understand your anger, but we’ve had this conversation.” Her grandmother says firmly, taking the first sip of her tea. “Now, I didn’t come here to bicker, I wanted to have a nice catch-up with my granddaughter about her married life, but I was naive to believe you to be keen.”

“Theo isn’t the problem. It’s Delius.” She braces herself; if she accuses Delius of illegally selling customer information, there would be no coming back from this. Delia’s anger is still young—she doesn’t care for the consequences. “I know he sold private, confidential customer information; illegally.”

Her grandmother doesn’t flinch.

She knew.

“He didn’t know what he did.” Her grandmother lowers her head in shame. “He was tricked.”

“I don’t care.” The tremor in her voice is strong.

“It’s so easy to be tricked when you don’t know anything about the position. When I inherited the business, my father was still alive to guide me into it. He was a much better teacher than I. It was me that failed him—as a mentor and a grandmother. It was his idea to marry Ilythea, to make up for his mistakes.”

Delia seethes with anger, her being vibrating at the seams. Her teacup shivers in her hand. “Yet, it was so easy for him to slip out of his responsibilities—because you enabled him to. Actually, no, it’s my fault. I was the one who truly enabled him—by agreeing to this stupid plan—to save this family. A family that I note—doesn’t need saving.” She’s tempted to pull the plug, pull her shares from the family business, but she lets them win. “I understand that this is a short visit, but it’s one that I’m through with. I am also through with this family. Good day, Cordelia.”

Delia shoots up from the table, sticking her nose up in the air as she leaves. It’s the only way to keep her tears in check.

She will never forgive Delius or her grandmother for this.

Not ever!