Page 64 of Addicted

I grabbed the phone and saw it was already set up. Stone had thought of everything.

But I didn’t call Aurora.

I wanted to surprise her. Show up at her door and see the look on her face when she realized I was alive and okay.

Well,aliveat least. Theokaypart was debatable.

I spent the morning getting ready, taking my time in the bathroom. I showered, did my hair and makeup, making sure everything was just right. I hadn’t felt this excited about anything in weeks.

Then I went to my closet and started going through the racks of designer clothes Stone had bought for me.

I wanted to look good. Wanted Aurora to see that despite everything, I was still me. Still that bitch.

I went with something that didn’t just look good, it looked like money. A cream Balenciaga bodysuit hugging every curve, tucked into light-wash denim that sathigh on my hips with gold buttons running down the sides. I slipped on a pair of nude Louboutins. They made my legs look endless, red bottoms flashing with every step I took.

I opened the jewelry case and found some pieces to elevate my look. Cartier on one wrist, a Rolex on the other, hoops in my ears that shifted subtly with every move. A delicate chain rested against my collarbone, the diamond pendant sitting just right.

My hair was laid, curls falling past my shoulders like they had somewhere to be. I’d decided to do soft glam for my make-up. Flawless with nothing overdone, but everything intentional.

I stared at myself in the mirror for a second longer than I meant to. I looked like I existed in a whole new world now.

Like the kind of woman men like Stone kept close.

The thought made something pull tight inside me, but I pushed it away. Today wasn’t about Stone or my complicated feelings about him. Today was about Aurora.

I grabbed one of the Chanel bags from the closet. It was a classic black quilted flap bag with a gold chain strap. It was beautiful, and I knew Aurora would lose her mind over it.

This was her gift. Her peace offering for me disappearing on her without a word.

Before heading downstairs, I checked on Ish. He was getting ready for school, looking fresh in the new clothes Stone had bought him.

“You look nice,” he said, glancing up from tying his shoes. “Where you going?”

“To see Aurora,” I said, leaning against hisdoorframe. “Stone’s letting me out for the day.”

Ish’s eyebrows shot up. “For real? That’s what’s up. Tell her I said what’s good.”

“I will,” I said, smiling. “You good?”

“Yeah, I’m straight,” he said. “School’s cool. The food here is crazy. Brady made me French toast this morning with some fancy ass syrup.”

I laughed. “Alright, I’ll see you later. Be good.”

“Always,” he said with a grin that told me he was adjusting to this new life way better than I was.

I headed downstairs and found one of Stone’s men waiting by the front door. He was tall, dark-skinned, with a serious expression and a gun visible at his hip.

“Miss Indie,” he said with a nod. “I’m Javion. I’ll be driving you today. There’s another guard in the truck, his name is Troy. We’ll be with you the entire time.”

“Cool,” I said, trying not to feel weird about having armed escorts.

Javion opened the front door and led me outside to a blacked-out Escalade idling in the driveway. Troy was already in the front passenger seat. He was lighter-skinned with a fade and a neat beard.

Javion opened the back door for me, and I slid into the plush leather seat. The interior was immaculate, smelling like new car and expensive cologne.

He got into the driver’s seat and glanced at me in the rearview mirror.

“Where to?” he asked.