“And then what?” Gabi prods.
“Stuff happened.” I leave out the part about dangling over the roof of the building. “And he made me come…after I begged him. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“A lot,” Val supplies.
“So what kind of skull mask are we talking here?” Gabi’s face takes on a dreamy expression.
Val shoots her a look.
“What?” Gabi replies primly. “You know I have a horror kink.”
“God, you’re all deranged,” Val tells us. “May the Lord save your souls.”
I laugh at her holier-than-thou attitude. “Oh, please. Do you think I haven’t seen what you read?”
Her cheeks flame red. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Okay, but he didn’t hurt you, right?” Chantel redirects the conversation.
“No,” I assure her. “He terrified me, but he didn’t hurt me.”
“Do you think he’s hot?” Gabi interjects. “I bet he’s hot.”
“Does it matter if he’s hot if he’s a psycho?” Val asks.
“I don’t think he’s a psycho,” I argue. “He’s just a little…unhinged.”
“You might as well call a kidnapping an extended date,” Val says.
“Just promise us you’ll be careful,” Chantel pleads. “This definitely sounds hot, but also…dangerous. We need to figure out who this guy is.”
“I’m not sure it will matter after tomorrow,” I admit. “I’ll be married, and I doubt he’ll get within ten feet of me again.”
Chantel nods, seemingly sensing my discomfort. “It’s getting late there, and you have a big day ahead of you.”
“I know. We should all get to bed.”
“We’ll do another video chat tomorrow from the bridal suite so you can hang with us while we get ready,” Gabi tells her.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Chantel promises. “Love you, babes.”
“Love you,” we all echo back.
Gabi disconnects the call and turns to me, ready to pepper me with a thousand more questions.
“Well, goodnight.” I spring to my feet, surprisingly agile for the amount of wine I’ve imbibed. “I’ll see you both in the morning.”
14
ABELLA
Ilean against the patio door, squinting at the morning sun with a pounding headache. I don’t know that I actually slept. Instead, I found myself staring at the ceiling as I tried to think about anything other than my impending wedding. But with each hour that passed, it felt like the noose was tightening around my neck.
Every reassurance that I’ve given myself doesn’t seem to matter. Matteo is a good friend, and I have to believe he will try to be a good husband. There’s always a possibility for love to grow. But if it could, why haven’t my feelings changed in the past six years?
I already know the answer to that. It’s the same answer to all my problems. The same source of pain, longing, and resentment. There’s no other way to say it—love him or hate him, Angelo Vitale will always have me in a chokehold.
I close my eyes and blow out a breath, tired of this same old track. It’s time for me to armor up, straighten my crown, and do what I must.
