Staring at the monitor, I watch her check her phone. Perhaps she’s looking for a text from me.
Testing out that theory, I grab my phone and send her a quick message.
Text me your address. I'll pick you up at seven tomorrow night. ~Damon
Even though I have all the information on Victoria that I need, I have to play dumb and ask for her address so I can pick her up tomorrow night.
I watch Victoria read my text on the set of monitors in front of me. And the happiness that creeps up on her pretty face makes me happy in return.
I want her to want me.
I want her tocraveme.
Tomorrow there will be no more waiting. I'm going to wine and dine her, shower her with gifts, and appear to be the perfect man for her. Love bombing is the term for it, and I plan on doing just that. I want her to fall for me, and the quicker the better.
The sooner she falls for me, the sooner I can get to her father and the sooner I can get vengeance for my family.
Giorgio Ciccone will pay for what he's done to me. I'll make sure of that.
It's a shame that Victoria’s entire world is about to be turned upside down. She’s a pawn in all of this, and I almost feel bad about using her.Almost.
But I am so close that I can practically taste it. Victoria is the key to my revenge, and nothing will stop me now.
Closing the security cameras, I go onto a local florist's website and order a dozen roses to be delivered to Victoria's apartment before our date.
Let the love bombing begin…
CHAPTER 7
VICTORIA
I WAKE UP the next morning to the sound of my phone ringing. It's the twenty-four-hour concierge for the building asking me if it's okay for a package to be delivered to my apartment.
I have no idea what it could be since I didn't order anything, but I tell Mr. Black it's okay to send it on up.
Glancing out my peephole when the doorbell rings, I see a bouquet of flowers wrapped up in plastic in the hands of a young man.
Opening the door, I find myself smiling from ear to ear when I look upon the enormous bouquet in a large, crystal vase. My first thought is maybe my father is sending them as a sort of apology for signing me up for that ridiculous and downright humiliating auction last night.
I take the heavy vase of flowers from the man's arm, thank him and kick the door shut. Carrying the flowers into the kitchen, I set the vase down on the granite countertop before I rip off the plastic, revealing a dozen red-tipped white roses.
A small, beige-colored envelope is in the center, so I pull it out and open it.
Beautiful roses for a beautiful woman.
Can't wait to see you tonight.
~Damon
My heart skips a beat in my chest as I read over the words again and again, not truly believing my eyes. I've never received flowers before in my life. Hell, I've never even been on a date before, and this really all feels like a fairy tale…or maybe a nightmare, considering I don't know what the hell I'm doing.
Feeling panicked, I grab my phone and send a text to Sophie asking for her help. Before she met her current boyfriend, she dated a lot. If anyone knows what to wear or do or say, it will be her.
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"WOW," SOPHIE SAYS with wide eyes when she spots the roses on my kitchen counter. "They're gorgeous!" She reads the card without asking me first if it's okay, but I don't mind. Sophie does and says what she wants, and it's hard to stop her once the ball gets rolling.
She puts the card down and turns to me. "Tell me everything," she begs.
