Chapter 99 Sneak Failed
“Yes, I think Master Ravial has gone out,” Maya replied distractedly as she slowly cut the carrot into small pieces.
Leitana nodded, a soft smile curving her lips. Normally, she would have been glancing around, wondering where he’d slipped off to without a word especially since he’d promised to work from home today just so he could stay close to her.
“Why are you smiling, missus?” Clara asked from a few feet away.
Leitana turned to her, eyes sparkling. “Ravial no allow mi go to important places, so mi hope say he go out so mi can sneak go.”
The moment the words left her mouth, Maya froze mid-chop, knife hovering. Both women turned to stare at her.
“Sneak?” Clara echoed, stepping closer with wide eyes. “Leitana, you can’t do that. The master will flip.”
Leitana shook her head quickly, giving them both a pleading look. “Plis, no tell him. Plis.”
Before they could respond, she dashed out of the kitchen, bare feet pattering across the floor as she fled through the door.
Maya turned to Clara. “Did you even see the master leave?”
Clara shook her head. “No, I didn’t.”
They both sighed, staring after her at the empty doorway.
Leitana took the stairs two at a time, completely forgetting Ravial’s stern warning about not running up them. She nearly tripped at the top but caught herself with a breathless giggle, then pushed open the bedroom door.
Inside, her eyes darted everywhere, searching for any sign of him. Nothing. Heart racing with excitement, she hurried to the far door, yanked open the closet, and stepped into the walk-in.
She scanned her side first: rows of soft sundresses. She almost reached for the yellow one… but then her gaze snagged on a pantsuit. Her head tilted curiously. She’d never worn anything but dresses or gowns, even back in Vanuatu but something about this one pulled at her. Deep down, she knew why. She craved something different. It was already four in the evening; she’d missed piano class anyway. Now she wanted to head downtown for the shoot. As Ravial’s wife—and with her new role in the company—she needed to look the part. Corporate. Powerful.
“Dis looks work like,” she murmured to herself, pulling out the emerald-green pantsuit and blazer.
She slipped out of her sundress, folded it neatly, and set it aside.
When Leitana stepped back into the bedroom, the emerald-green jumpsuit hugged her curves like a second skin which, like it was made for her which technically, it was. The deep, rich jewel tone made her golden skin glow like warm honey in sunlight, and her hazel eyes sparkled brighter against it, catching every flicker of light.
The fabric was luxurious: soft yet structured, high-waisted pants that flared gently at the ankle, a fitted bodice with a subtle V-neck that revealed just a hint of cleavage—modest, but undeniably alluring. Long sleeves ended in delicate cuffs, and she’d left the top two buttons of the crisp white silk shirt underneath undone, the collar framing her throat and collarbones like an invitation.
She turned slowly in front of the full-length mirror, hands smoothing down her hips.
A soft gasp escaped her.
“Mi… mi look good,” she whispered, cheeks flushing with shy delight. The outfit made her feel taller, more confident like she belonged in boardrooms and bold decisions, not just sundresses and quiet hymns. The pants cinched her waist perfectly, the flare gave her a graceful sway, and the color… it felt like armor. Like power.
Her smile started small, then bloomed wide and bright.
Then she saw the shadow in the mirror.
Tall. Still. Silent.
Ravial.
He hadn’t left.
He’d never left.
He stood just inside the bedroom doorway, arms folded across his broad chest, blindfold firmly in place, head tilted as though he were drinking in every inch of her. The earlier tension in his shoulders had melted away, replaced by something darker, hotter—possessive.
Leitana spun around, heart slamming into her ribs.
“R-Ravial!” she squeaked, hands flying to the collar of her shirt as if she could hide the skin he’d already claimed with his gaze.
He didn’t move at first. Just watched her, from the soft waves of her hair down to the pointed toes of her bare feet.
“Going somewhere, my lamb?” His voice was calm, low, and laced with that dangerous velvet edge that always made her knees weak.
Her cheeks burned crimson. She twisted her fingers together, shifting nervously from foot to foot.
“Mi… mi um… mi sorry,” she stammered. “Mi know yu say no. Mi know yu wan mi rest. But mi… mi wan go. Juilliard already late, but Willow shoot at four. Mi need talk to her. Get names. For Celeste. Plis, Ravial… mi feel strong now. Mi no dizzy. Mi promise mi be careful.”
He stepped forward then, closing the distance until she had to tilt her head back to “meet” the blindfold. The air between them thickened, charged with his quiet intensity.
She braced herself for another “no.” For the order to change. For him to carry her back to bed and lock the door.
Instead, Ravial reached past her, fingers brushing her waist as he opened the shoe cabinet built into the closet wall. He pulled out a pair of black pointed-toe heels, sleek, elegant, four inches.
He knelt.
Leitana’s breath caught.
He lifted one foot gently, sliding the shoe on, then the other. His hands lingered on her ankles, thumbs stroking the delicate bones there.
She stared down at him, her husband, on his knees for her and felt her heart flip so hard it hurt.
“Mi… mi not sure mi can walk in dat,” she whispered, voice shaky. “Mi never wear heel before.”
Ravial rose slowly, towering over her again.
“I’ll be there every step,” he said, voice rough with something possessive and tender all at once. “You won’t fall.”
Her eyes widened.
“Yu… yu allow mi go?”
He reached for the blazer hanging nearby, tailored emerald to match the jumpsuit and draped it over her shoulders, smoothing it down her arms.
“Yes,” he said. “I want to see my wife in action.”
Leitana’s face split into the brightest, most radiant smile he’d ever seen.
She launched herself at him, arms around his neck, body pressing close and pecked his cheek once, twice, three times in quick, joyful succession.
“Tank yu, Ravial! Tank yu, tank yu!”
He caught her around the waist, steadying her as she bounced on her toes.
“Don’t thank me yet,” he murmured against her temple, lips curving just slightly. “You still have to walk in those heels. And if you stumble even once…”
She pulled back, grinning mischievously.
“Yu go carry mi?”
His hand slid down to squeeze her ass, quick, possessive.
“Among other things.”
Leitana squeaked, cheeks flaming, but she didn’t pull away.
Instead, she slipped her hand into his, lacing their fingers.
“Let’s go,” she said, eyes shining. “Mi wan’ make yu proud.”
Ravial looked down at her, small, determined, radiant in green and diamonds and felt that unfamiliar ache in his chest again.
“You already do,” he said quietly.
And he let her lead him out of the bedroom, her hand in his, heels clicking uncertainly on the marble, smile brighter than any star.
The devil and his lamb.
Heading straight into the light.