Page 53 of Deceptive Vows
I exhaled sharply, staring after him, the ghost of his touch still lingering on my skin.
The moment was gone.
At first, the disappointment was nearly overwhelming. But reality was sharper than fantasy, and logic rushed in like cold water. I’d almost let myself believe that maybe he was right—that there could be something real between us. Even if I set aside all the reasons it couldn’t, my family was here, and I wasn’t leaving them for the romanticized idea that I could build something with Nazar in New York.
That thought alone planted my feet on the ground, and whatever clouds I’dbeen floating on moments before were floating away. Even as the wordsgood riddancetrotted through my mind, my heart ached with the solemn truth.
I’d always been on my own. And nothing—not Nazar, not a fleeting kiss, not the foolish hope I’d let slip in—was going to change that.
Not even the part of me still reaching for the moment he’d already walked away from.
Chapter Nineteen
THEA
“Ms. Kalantzis?”A deep male voice spoke the moment I answered my phone. “This is Detective Ruiz with the Chicago Police Department, Arson Unit. I’m calling about the fire at your property on Granville Avenue. Do you have a minute?”
I waved my aunt and sisters to go ahead of me into the bakery, mouthing that I’d join them in a moment.
“Yes, I have time.”
“We’ve been working with the fire department on the investigation, and I wanted to update you. We’ve confirmed the fire wasintentional—arson. Looks like someone used an accelerant, probably gasoline. Do you remember smelling any gasoline?
I paused a moment, trying to recollect what scents might have been present. I did remember, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. “No, I’m sorry. I don’t remember smelling anything.”
“Well, the burn patterns show it started inside the garage and spread to the upper floors and then the attic. Someone wanted it to go up.”
“I don’t understand why my alarm system didn’t go off. It should have.”
“It’s possible they found out the code. We didn’t find anything to suggest they disarmed it by cutting any wires. There was a partial shoe print in the mud near the alley, too, a size 11 men’s. We’re running it for matches. I need to ask, do you know anyone who might’ve had a reason to target you? An ex, a neighbor, someone you’ve had trouble with?”
I nearly laughed. The entire Moretti clan came to mind. Instead, I replied, “No, my neighbors and I are friendly.”
“Think hard. Any threats lately? Weird run-ins? Even small stuff could help.”
“I’m sorry, Detective. I don’t know of anyone who would want to burn my house down.”
“All right. Typically, this sort of thing is personal, so if you happen to think of anything that might help, please feel free to call. I’ll text you my number when we finish the call. That way you have it just in case.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you staying somewhere safe right now? Just in case this person might return to finish the job?”
I smiled. “Yes, I’m perfectly safe. I’m staying with a good friend.”
“Good. We’ll keep you posted if we get a hit on the print or the footage. Hang in there, all right?”
“Thank you.”
“Have a good day, Ms. Kalantzis.”
I ended the call, closed my eyes, and took a breath. A second later, my phone buzzed, and a number popped up on the screen with a little tag saying it could be the detective.
After two and a half weeks, I thought I would handle the loss of my home better, but the call only refreshed it.
I counted to ten and plastered a smile on myface. In a few moments, I would drown my feelings in cake. At least I’d have that.
The bell chimed as I entered the shop, and I quickly crossed the room to the table where my aunt and sisters sat with the baker.
