She nods as she holds the handle and disappears.
I quickly open my phone and see the message.
SweetJustice: I’ll be there on Saturday, but I want you there too.Then,if you’relying,every sordid picture of you will go to your stepfather and his mafia buddies.
SweetBunny: Why are you doing this to me? What have I done to you?
SweetJustice: You’ve done enough.
Caleb pulls into the parking space outside of Kost Bar, his Range Rover purring softly as he shifts into park.
I wave at Milly, who is waiting on the sidewalk.
“Milly!” Poppy yells, hopping out first, her laughter bubbling over as she chats with Milly by the door.
I stay in my seat for a moment, taking a breath to calm my racing heart when Caleb’s eyes catchmine. There’s a flicker of desire in his gaze and it sends warmth rushing through me.
“Why weren’t you on the website last night?” he asks, his voice low enough that only I can hear.
“I didn’t feel like it.” The words slip out before I can think better of them.
He nods slowly, and the corner of his mouth twitches up in that way that makes me forget everything else around us.
“We’ll talk when Poppy goes to sleep,” he says, leaving me with an unexpected thrill.
I hesitate before replying. “Okay.”
As I climb out of the car, Poppy swings her arm around my shoulder. “Ready to party?”
“Always,” I say, forcing a smile that hides the nervous flutter in my stomach.
Milly steps forward with her usual flair, her dress hugging every curve perfectly. “You look hot tonight,” I tell her.
She beams. “Thanks! Romeo is here and I want to show him what he’s missing,” she replies with a playful wink.
My stomach tightens at the thought of his brother, Con, being here too; I don’t want to deal with him tonight. I push the worry aside as we walk toward the entrance together.
The bass from inside thumps against my chest as we approach the door.
Just before stepping inside, I glance back at Caleb’s car. He watches me, his expression unreadable but intense as ever.
I give him a quick nod and step inside the bar.
Laughter fills the air, mingling with clinking glasses and upbeat music. Milly slides into a booth next to Frankie while Poppy nudges me toward our seats. The smell of cocktails wafts past me as we settle in and order drinks.
“Is he looking?” Milly asks as she takes a sip of her espresso martini.
I glanced at where we just saw Romeo walking when he passed our table. But then my heart sinks; across the room sits Con at another table with Romeo and Enzo along with some people I don’t know.
Con’s piercing gaze locks onto mine, making it impossible to breathe for a moment.
“Is he looking at me?” Milly asks.
“Con might be, but I think Romeo is deep in conversation with his friend.”
Milly rolls her eyes.
“You need to forget about him.”
