Page 85 of Of Vows and Betrayal

“I know.”

“And you ate it?”

I nod. “I did, and honestly, it was delicious. I’m neither sick nor dead, so I take it as a win.”

He twists his mouth to the side and starts to toy with his lip ring. I know he’s deep in thought, so I just wait until he’s ready to talk. “Don’t you think it’s weird, though? That she just flipped like that?”

Of course I do. “I don’t know—maybe I’m just catching a break.”

He lets out a tired laugh. “Okay, we’re being delusional, fine by me.”

I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “I just think that leaving her alone for weeks is not the answer right now.”

“She won’t be alone. I’ll be here; Tiago will be too. Holding on theway you are is not helping anyone.”

“It seems to be working,” I insist.

True, she didn’t eat with me last night, but she left me a plate and she put my jacket back and took care of the penthouse.

“I just?—”

My phone rings, and Lucchese’s name lights up the screen.

“Fuck, I need to take this—it’s the devil.”

“Lucchese, I don’t think we have any outstanding business right now.”

“Have you lost something?”

I frown, holding the phone more firmly. “Lost something? No.”

“You sure?” His voice carries irritation but also a hint of amusement I’m not familiar with. “Let me give you a hint—five feet, one inch of pent-up aggression and zero sense of self-preservation.”

“What are you—” My eyes widen with realization. “Ophelia!”

He laughs. “See, you said he’d never get it. What?” I hear her voice in the background. “Ah yes, apologies. It’s not five-one, it’s five-two and a half. Yes, accuracy is important—but you still have a death wish to show up here, little lady.”

“Where are you? I’ll come get her.”

“The club. And no worries, she’ll be with me in my office. I have to say, how can you resist such a poisonous glare? No wonder you fell in love.”

I ignore the sarcasm but also want to shake Ophelia forglaring at the man they callIl Mietitore—The Reaper. I stand up and recount the call to Derek. “How did she sneak out?! Her key card should have flagged your system or mine. I?—”

“Show me your card.”

I get my wallet out of my inside pocket and pull out the card. “That little…” I stop talking as Derek smiles.

“Yep, only your card doesn’t alert the system.”

“She switched them while I was showering.” It’s the only possibility. “Stop smiling! It’s not funny. She’s probably got Lucchese’s card in there too.” I check, and yes, his business card is missing.

“Come on, you must admit she’s resourceful. At least she still has her fire; you have to give her that.” He shrugs, burying his hand in his jeans pocket. “You should be happy she still has her spirit.”

“I am. I would just like for her not to use it exclusively to fight me.” I walk past him and exit my office. “Doris, please cancel my appointments for today and tell Evans I’ll see him tomorrow.” I get into the elevator, quickly followed by Derek.

“What did she even want from him?” I ask, not expecting a reply from Derek. “I’ll take her to the store. I know it’s not completely done, but I can’t wait any longer.”

“I’m not certain it will go the way you think it will.”

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