Tension bubbles inside me.
I don't want to speak about this. I don't like being reminded of all the ways I have failed in this life.
But it's different with Grace. Everything's different with Grace.
"They took her the same day they killed my parents," I say. "I never saw her again, but I know she's alive. We’re twins. She’s the other half of me. I know she’s out there somewhere.”
My twin sister and I have always been in sync. Even as a kid, I had a gut feeling whenever she was in trouble. I felt her feelings as my own, and that remains to this day.
Grace is looking at me like she sees me for the first time.
“You think she was taken into human trafficking?” she asks softly.
I nod. “Summer of 2007, there were other girls in the same age group who went missing in London. Most of them were orphans who were taken from shelters."
“That’s so cruel,” Grace says, blinking rapidly.
“It is,” I say, looking into her brown eyes.
Something strange happens now. Every time I thought about what happened to my sister, I felt the need to escape. But I don't feel that urge right now.
The heaviness is there like always, but it doesn't feel paralyzing.
It doesn't feel as heavy.
24
GRACE
It’s almost midnight by the time we reach the hotel.
It’s a gorgeous penthouse suite that has views of a glittering Eiffel Tower.
There’s a buzz in my veins from all the wine. I take my heels off and go straight to the terrace. Dante is quiet as he follows me. I lean against the balustrade and gaze out at the city. It’s a perfect summer night.
I don’t think it can get better than this.
“I always wanted to see the world,” I whisper. “I used to flip through the pages of my world atlas every night, but I never even let myself dream about a moment like this.”
“Why not?” The proximity of his voice makes my breath hitch.
“Because,” I say, turning to look at him. I can see the entire city reflected in his eyes. “I was terrified. When you exist in a state of survival, it feels like a better life will always be just out of reach.”
“And now?” he asks.
I look at the man who bared all of his secrets to me. He didn’t have to share anything with me.
But he did.
Everything is unfiltered now. My thoughts, my desire, this new ache in my chest.
“I’m not scared anymore,” I say.
He braces his arms on either side of me, caging me against the balustrade.
My eyes land on his lips. I want them everywhere. I want them saying shameless things to me as he claims me.
“I liked the way you kissed me this morning,” I say. “I’ve been thinking about it all day.”
