Page 62 of Double Apex

She peeks up. “I recognize that one—ochii. ‘Eyes,’ right? Look at you?”

“I value your perspective very much. I’m being defensive, and it’s uncalled for. The situation with Viorica is upsetting, and I feel quite at sea.” My foot moves back to her thigh. “Were I in love with you, I would ask in earnest that you advise me, and I’d listen without behaving like a sullen jackass.”

She rewards me with a grumpy smile.

“That’s better. I’m just saying, have you, uh…askedyour sister how she feels? About the forgiveness thing? Because I know your take-no-prisoners attitude, and I’d bet dollars to donuts youdecided how she should feel, without letting her talk.”

My brow furrows. “Why donuts?”

She pauses and is opening her mouth to explain the phrase when she sees my mischievous smile. She slices her hand through the water to splash me.

“Enough with the cute ‘I do not know this word’!” she scolds, dropping into an imitation of my voice.

I sit forward and grasp her behind the knees, pulling her toward me. She rises and turns, sitting back between my legs, gathered into my chest, and I kiss her shoulder.

“This man—the donor,” I say against her warm, damp neck,“is a villain. He should not be allowed to purchase absolution for his sins. I’m frustrated that Rica sees only the money.”

Phaedra sketches a spiral on my knee with a wet fingertip. “Actualcrime? Like, it’s drug money or something that could get you guys in trouble?”

“No, the man’s business is transport equipment—machinery. His offense is of a personal nature.”

Phaedra is quiet for a minute. “Forgiveness frees the person who’s offering it, Cosmin—not just the one who receives it. I think you need to trust your sister. The world isn’t black and white. And I know how you can hold a grudge.”

Viorica’s words were nearly identical:not everything is black and white.

I idly stroke Phaedra’s hair, enjoying the warmth of her against my chest.

“I will discuss this with Viorica,” I concede. “You’re an impossibly stubborn woman. But wise.”

“Aw, thanks, Legs. You’re a stubborn prick too, but learning.”

She tips her head to grin at me, and I kiss her temple. Just then, my phone chimes. I peer over the edge of the tub and view the screen.

“Fuck. It’s Reece.”

“Why is that bad?” Phaedra asks with drowsy amusement, trailing her fingers back and forth through the water.

“The message is all caps. She asks if I’m staying with you, and demands I text her my location immediately.”

19

ENGLAND

PHAEDRA

Ordinarily, the sight of Cosmin stalking around my bedroom naked would have me swimming in lust, but this is a code red–level crisis. I jab my arms into a green kimono bathrobe and follow him to the bed.

He perches on the edge, staring for a long time at his phone in grim silence.

“What the fuck do we do?” I prompt.

“I am thinking.”

He turns the phone sideways to type, then sets it on his lap without writing anything, muttering in Romanian under his breath.

“How the hell did she figure it out?” I groan.

“I don’t know.” He stares at the phone. “Scratch that—Imightknow. I said something to Guillaume this afternoon,and I’m not sure if I made it adequately clear that the information should go no further than his ears.”

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