When I’d seen Tommy I wanted to yell at him to get out, to not get hurt. I knew when he walked through that door he was going to get me out of there, whatever the cost to him, and I didn’t want there to be a cost. I’d never hated him or loved him more in that single moment.
I looked at the sky, stripes of yellow breaking through the navy. Tommy hovered nearby, sending glances my way, as if he was checking I was still there and his cousin hadn’t managed to magic me away.
“I didn’t sleep with you to help with any of this.”
I looked away from him.
“Please believe me. I could’ve found out information without being involved with you.”
“Was that what you were meant to do?”
“It’s what I was expected to do.”
“You told them where I would be? You spied?” I shook my head. “I thought it was me you were interested in, not what you could get out of me.”
“It was.”
“So what did you tell them?”
“About Marcus. How little time he spent here. About a couple of phone calls I heard him make. Not about you and Lala.” He looked at the floor. “I couldn’t tell you the truth, but I could divert them.”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. There were too many questions and I was tired. I needed a shower and I needed to sleep. Tomorrow I’d start to pick up the pieces, but for now, Tommy and I were over.
“You need to go.”
He nodded, rubbing his face with his hand. “Let me wait till Livi’s back, please?”
“Do you think your cousin will come back for me? Our security is all over the place. They won’t get in.”
He shook his head. “No. I think it’s over. But please give me this peace of mind, Jay.”
“Okay.” I closed my eyes, needing to find that inner peace from somewhere. It wasn’t that I didn’t think Tommy would put me in any danger now – he couldn’t. Livi had seemingly managed to get half of the members of the security company we used here – but I needed to scratch together a way to fix my shattered heart.
Footsteps told me Livi was here, and I forced my eyelids open. She sat down in the swinging egg chair opposite me, her back to the pool.
“Well, that was an exciting evening, wasn’t it?”
I didn’t smile. “What’s happened to Lawrie?”
She looked between me and Tommy. “He’s signed over the deeds to the properties we own together. He was going to fight me for them – and try for Safir.” She looked at the finca. “I paid his debt to Colm, and Lawrie will leave Ibiza, if he’s not on his way already.”
“That’s it? It’s over? Your relationship.” She didn’t look sad, let alone heartbroken.
“It was over some time ago, Jay Jay. We just didn’t know how to cross the finish line.” She smiled, that sweet smile that I knew told me one day I might understand.
“What happens now?”
“You enjoy your summer. You have nothing to worry about.” She looked at Tommy. “You did what I asked.”
“What was that?” I sat up.
“I told him to let me know if Marcus was up to anything. He did. Maybe a bit later than he should, but he did.” She patted Tommy on the shoulder after she’d stood up. “Get some sleep and I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll tell Lala in the morning too – she doesn’t need to come back though. Everything’s just fine now. Goodnight.” She hovered off in a blur of kaftan.
I waited a minute before standing up, trying to make sense of what she’d said, but it didn’t happen. I wasn’t sure it ever actually would. I wanted to call Lara, to talk her through what had happened and work out some sense between us, but calling her now when it was still night time in London would have her on a plane back here. The dramatics for the night had to be over.
Tommy watched me, his face dark and full of what I knew was hurt.
“I need you to go.”
