I’d never told Marley about my love affair in Florida, but she suspected. Many times, she’d commented,You look like you’re wishing someone would walk through that door.
Of course I never admitted a thing. To Marley, or to Caro when she called or texted. Not once had I asked about Donovan. She’d told me he came back to Rubia and fought with Magnum. The whole place knew there was bad blood between the brothers, but she had no idea what transpired. Cinder was carrying on as if she and Magnum were in love and to be married immediately. I’d heard Blake was going to be a flower girl.
This was also information I never shared with Marley when she would come to check in and sit and have room service tea with me.
Mostly, I told her about Rubia and our customs. She wanted to know what it was like where her granddaughter was living.
“I’m fine, or as good as I’m going to get.” I never thought it would take this long for the hives to disappear, but I’d finally been hive-free for two weeks. My weak hand still tremoredseveral times a day. And while my fingers had loosened a bit, they didn’t work very well.
With nothing better to do, I’d taught myself an app for dictating my voice to text so I could write when I got back home. I wasn’t sure if my powers still worked—Ezza had asked several times—or if I should be using them, but chances were high my mother didn’t care.
I slipped a cardigan over my black tank top and flowy khakis, all internet purchases while I recovered and spring hit Florida. I didn’t leave my room much other than sitting on my balcony, but I felt the need to still look better than good.
Oh please, I know the reason. Except he never came back.
“I will call tonight, and let you know I arrived safely,” I said to the woman who had become my only friend. Placing a small kiss on her cheek, I squeezed her arm with my decent hand and sucked back a cornucopia of emotions.
“When you have privacy, honey. Don’t rock the boat, ya hear me? We gotta get Val to see her daughter and at least pretend to play by the rules.”
I nodded, knowing Marley cared for me but also prioritized Valerie. It was okay. I admired how much the mother loved her child.
“I’d better go.”
She nodded and I was off. A black SUV waited for me downstairs, courtesy of the concierge, who had become a close acquaintance of mine. He thought I’d come down with a viral infection in my muscles, and thanks to another lie—my family’s big Grand Cayman money—I’d stayed for months.
He’d arranged for my transportation to the private airstrip for my presumed flight back to the Caribbean.
With a quick wave to the staff, I was securely sitting in the back seat of the giant SUV, my fate unknown.
I’d dozed off for the flight, and my whole body startled when the flight attendant tapped my shoulder. “We’re here,” she said softly.
With a quick nod, I stood, grabbed my tote and purse, and made my way to exit the plane.
Outside stood my mother, Caro, and Ceci. It was an interesting combination, and not one I would have picked, but I had no choice other than to go see my welcoming party.
“Tulya.” Ezza breathed my name and pulled me in for a limp embrace. “Good to see you are all put back together.” She said this without even tossing a glance at my hand.
“Tuvy.” Caro yanked me close. “I’ve missed you. I never knew how much you were the yin to my yang.”
“Missed you too, Car.” I used my good arm to hug her tightly.
“Hi, Ceci,” I added when I let go of my sister.
“No one else on the plane?”
All of a sudden, Ceci being there made sense. She wanted to make sure I didn’t bring Valerie.
“No, only me,” I said without any emotion, but I couldn’t help but think what a bitch my mother’s best friend was.
“We have made it clear that no one but Rubians are welcome here.”
“Who iswe? Are you in charge now?”
Caro glanced at me as I sassed Ceci.
“Weare your mother and her brother, the Minister.”
I started to walk toward the waiting car, and I couldn’t wait to be alone in my cottage. “Then why areyoutelling me?” I had to stop and ask Ceci. “If you’re not part of the we?”
