Chapter 142: BLAKE’S POV

Chapter 142: BLAKE’S POV
Hi. Don’t bother leaving a message. I won’t check them. Bye.

Sienna’s phone went directly to her voicemail. Where the hell is she?

I went over to their apartment at nine in the morning and found out she wasn’t home or never came home last night. Neither Toby nor Lucy can confirm anything since they both were so out of it when they got back last night. I demanded they call me as soon as she walks through the door.

I’m in the office on a Sunday afternoon and I’m supposed to go over the counter proposal for the Australian mining company I wanted to buyout but my brain isn’t functioning. Instead, I opted to nurse a snifter of cognac and stared at the view of the River Thames below me.

The night with Camilla was rather out of the ordinary. She surprised me by taking me to her mother’s fundraiser in their country estate in Surrey. I’m almost sure that I saw the invitation somewhere in the office but I didn’t bother opening it. I never minded going to these types of functions but The Clayworths are a different matter. Cam looked radiantly statuesque and regal in a shimmering gold strapless gown that accentuated her slender figure. I can just imagine the tittle-tattle of the scandalmonger’s tonight when they see me and Cam together. Those bored airless bimbos never disappoint. The minute we entered the foyer, the chitchat died and the deafening sound of whispers took over.

When Albert came over to greet us, his beaming smile made it a tad awkward for me. Surely, he doesn’t see this as a reconciliation of some sort? I’m merely obliging his daughter.

The entire time Cam only left my side to freshen up in the powder room. After the long eventful dinner, we danced. I can only envisage what the onlookers were thinking. Cam and I did look like we belonged together and at one time, I thought we were well-matched. She was quite discreet with her intentions with me the entire night. But they were cautiously brushed off. I’m not going to lead her on when I still have Sienna even if it was only for a short period of time. A big part of me still longs for her to change her mind and announce that she doesn’t want to let me go after this whole plan I had for her in Marbella.

When I took Camilla back to her place, she clung and kissed me goodnight. “Thank you for coming through tonight. You made me very happy and I just want you to know that—when this phase of yours is over and done with—I’ll be waiting right here.”

Wait she would, but I know that what I feel for Sienna will forever be with me. It’s a part of me now and I must accept it fully, with or without her in my life.

Striding back to my desk, I went back to work. I need to get done tonight and have the proposal ready by tomorrow morning. The mining company would be a great asset to acquire for Knightly Industries. I can see the vast potential if the company is run efficiently—it literally is a gold mine. I can’t slack on work even if I’m mad with jealousy and want to forage and ransack Kyle’s home in Hampstead.

By the time I finished with work, it was ten at night and Sienna was still unreachable. I knocked on their door and Toby instantly opened the door. “You look like you’re at the death’s door mate. Want some lager to take the edge off?”

“Sure.”

Her door was open as I followed Toby into the kitchen. “She’s not here. If you want to contact her that badly, why don’t you call Kyle?”

Hearing his smug voice would set me ablaze. I’d rather wait for the lass to explain why she’s been MIA for about twenty-four hours now.

“How was your mum’s birthday festivity?” I sent Luke, my assistant, to search for a present for Evelyn Watson in one of the jewelers on Old Bond Street. I’m not fond of her or her husband, Rupert. They’re both the selfish lot and only cared about money and appearances. I’m befuddled how they have two sons who were exceptional and grounded.

“You know how these things go.” He sighed, “Grandmother and my mother took Luce in the study to chat. Luce was not the same after that but she won’t tell me what happened. I asked my mother but she assured me that everything’s great.”

I smirked. I’m sure she did. Poor Luce—she never stood a chance when faced with Evelyn and Toby’s grandmother, Florence. Those two are a force to be reckoned with and the soddy Rupert Watson can’t be blamed for his gambling addiction.

Luce took the cue and entered the kitchen glumly. She got herself a can of fizz, brownies from M & S and plopped next to me on the barstool.

“Drop the rubbish subject, will you? It’s bloody fucking taxing!”

“Well, why don’t you just spill the details then? I’m twisted about this whole bloody mess!” Toby was getting riled up.

Certainly, I’m not the only one with shiteload of problems.

Luce released an exasperated sound, slid off the stool and left the room. “What a bloody disaster!”

Finishing off my lager, “Give her time mate—she’ll eventually tell you.”

“I may be a patient man compared to you—but I don’t have that much when chosen the subject pertains of Lucy.”

“You and me both—pathetic pricks that we are.”

We laughed and his humor died when Luce called out. “I’m going out. Don’t wait up for me.”

“Fuck! Bloody fuck!” he screamed. He took hold of his phone and started dialing her but cursed again when she didn’t pick up. He texted her several times but Luce ignored it.

“Heavens help me! I’m going bonkers!” I nodded in agreement. Women…bizarre and peculiar creatures they are.

“Hear hear.”

He threw me a disgusted glare. “Piss off Knightly! You find this comical?”

“Oh shut it, you sad bastard! You of all people saw my appalling state with Sienna. After that momentous night we had—I’m quite convinced that I’d rather hound after her than not have her at all.”

“Blake Knightly finally fell on his knees. Oh, how the mighty have fallen! We’re quite the pathetic lot mate,” Toby declared with haughty smile, “Though I don’t blame you after that crazed brutish bonking you two had! Holy fuck! I heard you bloody growl like a bloody blasted animal.”

My throat dried thinking about how Sienna was that night—she had claws alright. But once tamed, she was compliant, submissive and fucking perfect! She makes the beast in me come out and she loves it that way. She wants me begging and maniacal with need for her.

“Yeah—she brings out the Neanderthal in me. I wasn’t a possessive bloke until she came along. She brings men to their knees. Who can blame me if I become domineering and territorial?”

“Luce is quite the catch. She’s beautiful to be sure and I love her to distraction but with a woman like Sienna….” He paused and looked thoughtful a moment, “you have more than a battle mate. Women like her caused wars in the old days. You’ve met your match dear ole friend.”

After another hour drinking a few beers, Toby was sloshed and the man needs to report to office come morning.

Being in Sienna’s room without her in it brought small comfort to me. At least I was surrounded by her belongings and her smell. I picked up her iPod and turned it on. Clair de Lune played by Julian Bream. The sound of baroque music strung on a guitar salved my stormy emotions.

These are one of the things we had in common, our love of music played on guitars. Andrés Segovia and Francisco Tárrega were both favorites. Songs played in Spanish guitars add more depth, soul and meaning.

Now the barmy wanker Kyle did know how to play a guitar. He won’t give her up. He had an advantage that I didn’t have. They’ve known each other for a long time. He knows what makes her tick and their bond is quite strong.

The bloke certainly uses that to full advantage.

Pavane played by Andrés Segovia on Spanish guitar lulled me to sleep.