“No idea. He’s got a lot of shit to deal with, it seems.”
And just like that, I’m no longer on the list.
Upstairs, I close my bedroom door and sit on the bed, pulling out the card my mom gave me at the gallery. I couldn’t throw it away. It’s been sitting in my drawer, waiting.
I dial her number, and she answers on the first ring. “Lily?”
I can hear the faint background noise of deep male voices. “Mom. Are you okay?”
“Yes. Sorry, just in the middle of something. Are you okay, Lily?”
“I’m good,” I say, even though it feels like a lie. “I was wondering if maybe you wanted to get that coffee tomorrow?”
There’s a pause. “I’d love to. Where shall I meet you?”
My thoughts spiral. Nothing in my life is simple anymore. “Want to meet me at my gallery? I’ll have us something delivered? Probably more casual.”
“Sounds great. I’ll see you, let's say eleven?”
We say goodbye, and I lie back on the bed, Bella’s words echoing alongside my dad’s. And when I close my eyes, I see her. That woman. Kissing Drago.
A tear slips free.
My appetite disappears completely. So I curl into myself, staring at the ceiling, and try to sleep. Just as my eyes flutter closed, my phone lights up.
His name appears on my screen.
Drago: Sweet dreams.
I hate myself for smiling so damn much at his message. I should question how the hell he knows, but I know better. I don’t know what game he’s playing here.
Me: Do you send good night texts to all the women you protect?
I laugh to myself as I type it. Petty, but I don’t care. I watch the bubbles appear, and all I can think about is him sitting there in his slutty little glasses.
Drago: Do you text back this fast to all your ‘flings’, Lily?
My heart sinks. I regret calling him that. But also, how fucking dare he?
Me: Fuck you, Drago.
His reply is instant.
Drago: Why are you sending me your to-do list?
Nope. Abort mission.
Me: Good night, Drago.
This is all too real and too scary.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Drago
Words on the screens are starting to blur into one, the characters bleeding together as my eyes strain. It’s hard to concentrate after my text exchange with Lily. I can’t let her keep pushing against me, so I’m changing tactics.
Bringing out that fire inside of her. Pushing her buttons until she has to speak to me. I’m giving her time to cool off, and hopefully she will realize this was never a fucking fling. This was forever.
