Page 91 of Bittersweet Revenge

“What?” Antoine scoffed. “It’s not like she thought you were virgins or anything. I–”

Taylor put a hand on his mouth. “I really suggest you shut up because I think Astor is about one second away from murdering you in this elevator and blood will be very hard to remove from my dress.”

“Wise advice, Oppenheimer,” Caleb growled, but I couldn’t help but tense at the thought.

I’d known about Aleksandra. Once more, the thought of my nemesis’s death brought back a fresh wave of guilt which I pushed back down. Now was not the moment. Caleb had paid for the funeral. He had sent money to her parents. He'd done everything I’d asked. I looked up at him again. He was looking straight ahead, his murderous glare still on.

The elevator opened on the eighteenth floor, letting the three others out before the doors closed again, leaving us alone.

“Whatever you want to ask, just do,” he said, his voice weary. “But know it was before I met you. Don’t let his stupid mouth ruin it for us.”

“No, it’s just… How many?”

He sighed when the elevator opened onto our floor. He reached for my hand and pulled me out of the elevator and into the plush cream-carpeted corridor which only had two doors. “Does it really matter?”

I twisted my mouth, pondering the thought. “I suppose not really, but I’d only had you and–”

He opened the suite and pulled me in, fusing his lips with mine in a passionate kiss. “And you are the only one that matters, Esmeralda,” he whispered against my lips as we broke the kiss. “Is that not enough?”

“Yes, it is, I– holy shit! Where are we?!” I gasped, stepping out of his embrace and into the room. It had a living room with a giant TV on the wall, a bedroom with a king-size bed, and another giant TV followed by a marble bathroom that I was sure was bigger than my old house. It had an enormous shower, two sinks, and a jacuzzi bathtub facing the gigantic bay window, which gave a full view of Central Park just as it did in the other rooms. “This is…”

“Nice?” Caleb asked, coming behind me and wrapping his arms around me. “I can’t wait to try the bathtub tonight... Bathing suit optional.”

“It’s more than nice. Caleb I feel like a princess.”

“As you should.” He kissed the side of my neck, making me shiver. “Ready to go roam the streets?”

I nodded. “Yes. Text Archie, please. I don't want him to be miserable.”

Caleb sighed. “Fine, let's take him.”

For the next couple of hours, we went around Manhattan. It felt nice. I loved the truce between Caleb and Archie. Even if I was not certain it was permanent, I enjoyed it. It was like a family.

I was still in quite high spirits when we all met downstairs for the limousine to take us to Chinatown.

“So how was the shopping?” I asked Taylor as we met in the lobby.

Antoine chuckled.

Taylor threw him a glare. “I got a little carried away.”

“Uh huh. What do you mean?” I teased.

“So how are we dealing with Phang today? How do we make sure he takes the bait?” she asked, clearly done with the shopping subject.

“Well, I can take the lead,” Caleb offered.

I shook my head. “No, I think Archie should deal with him.”

Archie beamed as Caleb frowned. “Esmeralda, I’m sorry, but I think I’m quite a fantastic strategist.”

I nodded. “Yes, I know that, but you’re too subtle. You should have seen Archie when we spoke with White. It was an absolute bloodbath and we need Phang in a panic. Archie is who we need.”

Their expressions switched. Caleb was now smirking, his eyes full of victory, while Archie scowled. It was going to be a long night.

The River Queenwas almost full when we got there. I felt like a genius because I’d taken the time to book a table.

“Table for Danvers, please.” It felt weird to use this name. I was not Danvers anymore. I never was.

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