Page 87 of Bittersweet Revenge

Archibald clasped his hands. “Okay, it’s settled. Now we just need to make sure Esme will be safe at all times.”

Taylor nodded. “School is fine, so that’s good. We can take turns giving her a ride to school if Astor can’t for somereason, and on weekends, we can always figure out things to do.”

“What about the nights here, though?” Antoine asked. “If his mother is in on it…”

“We’ve got the nights covered,” Esmeralda said, eyeing me shyly.

Thank God for this! “Yes, nights are okay,” I replied as coolly as I could, but a grin formed on my lips, mirroring hers.

Archibald gagged.

“But how–” Taylor stopped, looking from me to Esmeralda. Her eyes finally widened with realization. “Oh… I see.”

Esmeralda blushed furiously and looked down at her nails.

Taylor turned to St-Vincent, extending her hand. “Pay up.”

“I don’t have cash on me.”

She snorted. “Yes, you do. You always do. Pay up.”

“Fine,” he grumbled, reaching for his wallet and extending five hundred dollars to her.

“What’s that all about?” Esmeralda asked, looking at the money changing hands.

“I bet you two would give in to the sexual tension before spring was out.”

Antoine shook his head in defeat. “I expected you to wait until graduation.”

“You’re betting on my love life?” Esmeralda asked, not as angry as she should be. She was merely aggravated.

Taylor shrugged. “Sure, why not?”

Esmeralda rolled her eyes. “I’ll be careful. I’ll go nowhere by myself. It will be fine; I promise.”

I tightened my hold on her hand. Now that I was in on the secret, I would keep her safe. She was going to be fine because life had already been shitty enough with me. It couldn't take the last precious thing I had. I would not allow it.

Chapter 18 - Esme

I knew we were going to New York to solve my mother’smurder. Yet, I couldn't help but feel giddy at the idea of going to such a big city. I’d always dreamed of going to New York, visiting Central Park, going to a Broadway show – anything. Just being part of the atmosphere would be enough.

“All ready!” I chimed, getting into the passenger side of the car as the butler set my suitcase in the trunk.

“Only one case?”

“It’s only two days.”

He chuckled. “I bet Oppenheimer will have at least three.”

I wiggled against the leather seat. “It’s so comfy.”

He chuckled again and l loved the levity in him. Since the day of the accident, his mood was getting lighter and we were getting closer every day.I was so glad we’d decided to tell him everything.

“It better be for the price that Mercedes-AMG charges for a GLS 63.”

I nodded as if that meant something, but all I knew was that it was big and super-luxurious.

“Are you going to pick up the others now?”

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