But then Helena bursts into Amara’s sanctuary like a storm crashing through a glass window.
“Amara!” she shrieks, voice thick with urgency. “I’m leaving tomorrow!”
Amara looks taken aback, but glances at her laptop before nodding slowly.
She presses a key to shut down the website and slides her hand across the comforter and nudges the mask off the bed and onto the floor.
My heart sinks watching SweetBunny’s name disappear from my incognito screen.
I lean closer to the security screen, tension knotting my stomach as Helena towers over Amara.
“You can stay here for a few weeks,” Helena continues, words rushed. “I’ll find an apartment big enough for the three of us.”
“Milly won’t come,” Amara tells her mother.
Helena closes in on her daughter’s bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “You know that I’ve always done what’s best for you,” she wails, voice breaking. “But this time…this time, I failed you. I’m so sorry.”
“You haven’t failed me. We’ll be fine soon. We don’t need a load of money. Take the three million,” Amara begs her mother.
“I deserve more, Amara,” Helena’s back straightens. “And I want to have enough to set you and Milly up. Continue your education and have a good life.”
“You wanted me to seduce Mateo Conti.” Amara’s voice sharpens. “That would not be me having a good life.”
“He’s rich, Amara. He’s powerful, and those types of men are the ones who will burn the world down for you.”
Amara shakes her head. “You’ve got Con totally wrong. He’s not interested in me. Probably not interested in any woman.”
Helena’s mouth opens.
I lean back in my chair, watching the screen intently. A roar of disbelief releases from Helena as she stands over Amara, hands on her hips.
“There’s no way Mateo Conti is gay!” she guffaws, shaking her head like it’s the most ridiculous thing she’s ever heard.
Amara shrugs, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “I never said he was. But he wasn’t with a woman that night.”
Helena raises an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face. “Who was he with then?”
Amara bites her lip, the corners of her mouth twitching as if she’s holding back a secret. “I didn’t recognize him.”
“Really? You won't spill?” Helena presses, but I can see Amara reveling in this brief moment of power.
“Some secrets have to be kept,” Amara replies, and I can’t help but chuckle under my breath at the fire in her voice.
Helena crosses her arms and narrows her eyes. “You know how dangerous that man is, right? You tell anyone what you saw and he’ll hurt you.”
Amara stares at Helena.
Suddenly, my phone buzzes on the desk, breaking the momentary levity. I reach for it and glance at the screen as a grin spreads across my face.
I mute the conversation on the security feed, but I keep one eye on Amara and Helena.
“Mayor Anderson,” I answer smoothly. “Thank you for returning my call. We need a meeting.”
8
Amara
The sun beats downas I glide through the water, each stroke a desperate attempt to wash away my worries.
