She went silent like I’d reached through the phone and grabbed her by the throat.
“Yes, Mr. Crow. How can we help you?”
“I want confirmation the heels I purchased were delivered.”
Another pause. Longer. Shuffling in the background.
“Sir, they… haven’t been delivered.”
My blood went cold. “What.”
“The box is here. It’s been packed and ready but we were under the impression someone from your dynasty would collect it.”
“How long?”
“Two weeks, sir. Almost three.”
“And no one, thought to follow up.”
“We… we were told not to disturb your account without express instruction?—”
Oh. Fuck. She thought I never sent them. Probably that I’d gone cold. Fuck. Maybe even changed my mind.
“Deliver them. Tonight. In the next hour. Gold foil box. Personal courier. And include the note. The original one.”
“Yes, sir.”
“If anything goes wrong, if the address isn’t confirmed, call me. Immediately. No middleman.”
“Understood.”
I ended the call up. Great. Now, the waiting period had started again.
4
Vince
I wasn’t a romantic.
Never had a girlfriend. Didn’t want to. But I thought… I don’t know, maybe she would’ve sent a message. A thank you. Something.
It had been two weeks since the shoes were delivered. I paid extra for timing. Packaging. Signature on arrival. I waited three days. Then five. Then ten.
Nothing.
Maybe manners didn’t exist anymore. I wasn’t desperate. Wasn’t some lovesick fool refreshing his messages at 2 a.m.
But I was here.
At a dynasty event I had no reason to attend, wearing a suit that I made sure didn’t have bloodstains on. I stood on a second-floor mezzanine bar, watching Madeline Thorne like I was casing a target.
I finished my drink.
She was outside, on the balcony, half her hair pinned back. The dress was pale pink, tight in a way that pissed me off.
She didn’t even know I was here. That annoyed me more than it should have. Because most of the fuckers in here made a point to avoid me, or talk business.
I pushed the door open and stepped out beside her.
