Forbidden Heat novel Chapter 107

“Is that the third question?” he asked without looking at me. He was staring off into space.

“No! it’s a…continuation of question two. So maybe like question two point one…?” I tried to explain. I still wanted to ask him another question for my third one.

“I’ve actually told you this before but maybe you don’t remember,” Edward replied. He still wasn’t looking at me.

“Really? Then can you repeat it again? I’m all ears,” I replied as I nudged his leg with my foot lightly to get his attention.

“You should marry me. If I were you, I’d marry me as soon as possible,” Edward replied as he finally turned to face me.

“That’s not a joke, right?” I asked curiously. I mean, I guess he did tell me that before and things didn’t go down so well after that.

Instead of replying to my question, Edward took out his phone and typed a text. What is he doing?

‘Natalia will be staying over at my place tonight. There is no need to worry. The level playing field starts now, brother.’

Edward hit the send button before turning to face Natalia once more as he offered her an innocent smile.

…

**Earlier that day**

“What is this!?” Lucien shouted in his younger brother’s face as he slammed the necklace he was holding down onto the table.

“Well, good morning!” Edward greeted his brother gleefully.

“Edward…” Lucien said his brother’s name in a solemn voice.

“You came all this way to ask me this? You can see for yourself, right? It’s a necklace…with a custom star-shape diamond pendant,” Edward said with a small smile.

“So, it really is yours,” Lucien said with narrowed eyes.

“Well to be more precise, it belongs to Natalia now. I gave it to her. Is that all you came here for?” Edward asked with an innocent smile.

“Why did you give this necklace to her? What do you want?” Lucien asked.

“I gave it to her so that she will be reminded to stay true to herself. I didn’t want anything in particular…is there a problem?” Edward said casually.

“What did you tell Natalia about the event in her dreams?” Lucien asked sternly.

“I didn’t tell her anything…I promise, did she say something?” Edward replied. Technically, I didn’t tell her anything, but I did show her a few things…

“Natalia mentioned that she remembers a man with green eyes saving her from the incident in her dream. She believes that man was me…” Lucien stated as he gauged his brother’s reaction. Edward’s poker face was perfect.

“And…does that have anything to do with me?” Edward prompted as he shrugged.

“Are you sure? Isn’t it because of this family that she’s currently in the position that she’s in?” Edward asked rhetorically.

“I will marry Natalia and she will remain in the family. That is the only way she can be protected,” Lucien stated firmly.

“This family killed our mother. You know that better than anyone. Are you going to ignore everything and watch as it kills Natalia too? She can’t be locked up forever,” Edward argued.

“She will be fine as long as she has me. Edward, stay out of this like you always have,” Lucien said with a warning.

“You’re not the chosen one Lucien. You must think that you are and therefore you have absolute right over her. I hate to break it to you, but you’re not. You’re just a candidate and you’re not the only one,” Edward replied as he shook his head.

“What are you talking about?” Lucien asked, his lips pursed into a thin line.

“I’ve always given you an advantage over me by letting Natalia forget about me. However, from now on, we’ll start all over again and it will be a level playing field this time,” Edward went on.

“What do you mean by that?” Lucien asked as he furrowed his brows suspiciously.

“If I die, promise me that you will protect what is inside this envelop…ring a bell?” Edward asked as he smiled cunningly.

Slowly, Edward placed a black envelop onto the table.

--To be continued…