I glared out the window at the passing scenery, running my thumb over my lower lip. Seven years I’d waited for revenge. Seven years locked up and unable to defend what was mine. It felt wrong to wait another second.
“You know,” Tore started, “I never did figure out who your informant was.”
“Let’s leave it that way.”
Chapter 29
“Thisistheone.”
“You sure?” Bee signed.
I slipped my hands down the smooth material of the dress, turning left then right before the mirror. The off-shoulder design and fitted bodice said sophisticated, while the thin strap and bottom slit on the above-knee cocktail dress practically begged for some good primal fun. If anything was going to make an impression on Renzo for our reunion, this vermillion satin dress, molded to my curves, was it. Along with the loose, wavy style of my hair, it was bound to garner his attention.
“Let the record note I think this is abad idea,” she signed in the mirror.
“Noted.”
No matter how many times she argued against my going to Renzo’s homecoming celebration, I wasn’t going to change my mind. This was Renzo we were talking about, the man who’d consumed me for years. First with anger, then with confusion, appreciation, trust, caring, and recently more. So much more. Every time I thought about him, I burned up inside. The man was strong, powerful, incredibly smart, caring yet uncompromising, dedicated yet blasé. I was in love with him. I had beenfor years. It might have seemed weird to an outsider looking in, like Bee, but he understood me like no one else. Seven years of letter exchanges did that.
Tonight, when his guard was lowered, I wanted to make sure that the man I had come to know wasn’t a facade. I needed to know if the man I knew through words alone was the same in flesh. I needed to make sure that I could accept the man who murdered my brother as the one who had stolen my heart and that he really was the type to storm in to save three children who were practically strangers.
I made the last touches on my smoky eye makeup. Had I made him grander in my head? Maybe. How much had he changed? Would he recognize me? I’d only ever sent him photos that focused on my body, not my face. It was calculated, but I wanted him to see me as a desirable woman, not the teenager he once knew. I wanted him to think of me when he masturbated, and when he came, I wanted to be the woman at the forefront of his mind.
“How do I look?” I asked, twirling.
“Like you are trying too hard.”
I swatted her arm. “Oh, shush. Like you don’t put in some effort whenever you think you’ll see Tore when you come visit.”
Her eyes widened so fast, and her face turned so red that I couldn’t help my eruption of laughter.
“Oh, come on, you didn’t really think you could hide it, did you? Someday you’re going to need to tell me the details.” I gathered a few essentials into my wristlet clutch, my back to her.
“There’s nothing to talk about.” No matter how many times I heard Bee’s deep, scratchy voice, I never got used to it. It didn’t match the delicate features of her upside-down teardrop face.
I adjusted the straps on my heels. “You know Tore. He’s a player. He likes openness and directness. If you really want that kind of attention from him, you’ll have to put yourself out there.”
“I don’t.”
“You sure about that? Because even I can feel all the sexual tension between you two. This hate-like back and forth obviously isn’t enough to move things forward. Show him what you want.”
“Like you?”
I grinned. “Exactly. I want something. I’m going for it. And if I get disappointed in the process, well, at least I’ll know. If I wait for something to happen, it never will. We make our own fate. The worst he can do is say no. Just like Tore.”
She snapped a folded piece of paper open in front of me.
We’ll see if you’re still saying that after Renzo rejects you. I nudged her hands and the note down.
“He’s only got the ability to break my heart if I let him. You sure you don’t want to come?”
“Nope. Tonight is all yours,” she signed. “Don’t want to rain on your parade.”
I hip-butted her with a laugh. “Sure, that’s what it is. Are you staying for dinner? Isa’s making ribollita for the kids. Eat with them. Play some board games. Hang out. Maybe you’ll even stay late enough to catch Tore coming home.”
“To get another death glare and see him with another one of his playthings? No thanks.”
“Suit yourself.”
