Page 91 of The Midnight Club
She pulled his face to hers. “Not until much,muchlater.”
Lisander wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair, deciding that now, right now, was not the time to tell her that the new photograph on the killer’s website, was of Kate. Underneath it was one word:Midnight.
In their absence, the staff at Maceo’s gallery had been working long hours and to thank them, he threw a party. Ori was glad to have something positive to focus on. The only downside was that Alex was coming for the party, along with Lisander and Kate Garcia. She and Alex hadn’t spoken since the day they left his home in Vermont, although she knew Maceo had talked to him. There had been an hour long telephone call where the two men had talked everything out, both of them apologizing for the way they had behaved. Maceo told her afterward that he hoped that his and Alex’s friendship could be mended. Ori replied that she hoped so too, but it didn’t detract from the fact that she couldn’t help be wary of the other man.
She avoided him at the party, but when she thought she had gotten away with it, he came to find her. She was hiding out in the little tearoom at the corner of the office upstairs, exhausted and drained.
“Hey, you.”
She looked up and saw Alex smiling at her. Her heart sank. “Hey. I was just taking a break. I’ll be down in a sec.”
But he didn’t leave. He pulled up a chair next to hers. Ori sat back, her arms crossing defensively without her even noticing. Alex saw the movement.
“Ori, I don’t know how else to tell you I’m sorry about what happened. I think if you asked around, people, Maceo, would tell you it was out of character for me. Please, forgive me.”
She tried to smile. “Already forgiven, Alex, truly.”
There was an awkward silence. Alex sighed. “And I’m sorry for kissing you that night. That was unconscionable.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Another silence then Alex got up. “I’ll leave you alone.”
“Thanks.”
She watched him walk down the stairs and felt both guilty and relieved. Everything Jason Meeks said was now coloring her every interaction with one of Maceo’s best friends.God.After that day she had told Jason that she didn’t want to see him anymore and he had acquiesced more easily than she’d expected.
God.She would be glad when this party, this week, was over. She and Maceo had plans to drive down to Florence on Friday—a long weekend in a private villa in the middle of Tuscany.Utter bliss. They hadn’t been truly alone for what seemed like months. Not even their security was coming with them; Maceo had promised no one would even know where they were.
“Incognito,” he said wickedly. “And while we’re there, we should talk about when you’ll allow me to make you my wife.”
She’d almost forgotten his proposal during the last few weeks, but now she smiled to herself.Yes.She couldn’t wait to be his wife; even with the revelations about Viola, she trusted this man of hers beyond …reason,she chuckled to herself. If there was one thing she was sure of, it was that Maceo loved her without limits.
She went to find him now and saw him out on the balcony talking to Cassie, one of his assistants. Drawing near, Ori realized they were arguing. Cassie was looking upset and Maceo was gesturing, his expression animated and fierce.
Ori stayed back as she watched them, then suddenly Cassie stalked back into the room and past Ori without glancing at her. Maceo was on the balcony still, taking deep breaths in. Ori went silently to his side and put her hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong, baby?”
Maceo, still trying to calm himself, slid his arms around her, burying his face in her neck. Ori held him, but had the feeling he was trying to hide something. “Maceo,” she said softly, “whatever you need to tell me, it’s okay.” She steeled herself. “If you’ve been having an affair with Cassie or …”
Maceo looked up sharply. “Is that what you think of me now? Is every woman I speak to going to be someone I’ve fucked or am fucking?”
Ori recoiled, and Maceo held his hands up. “I’m sorry,mio caro. I didn’t mean that. Please, forgive me. I just fired Cassie. Alex told me she was the one who told him about Viola and myself. How she knew, I do not know, and she wouldn’t tell me. I offered her the chance to come clean, but she clammed up. So, she’s gone. Ori ...” He took her in his arms again. “I swear to you, on my life, Cassie is neither an ex- nor current lover. You are the only one for me. Do you believe me?”
She nodded, her eyes still wary. Maceo pressed his lips gently to hers. “Then I think we should use this party to announce our engagement. Tell the world. Make a declaration.”
Ori thought it was a terrible idea, but she could see Maceo needed to prove himself to her. He didn’t need to; she believed him entirely when it came to Cassie. She would seek out the woman herself and get the truth out of her. She owed Maceo that much.
Their friends ralliedaround them as Maceo made the announcement and at least she got to see her Maceo again; cheerful, happy, the showman. “Ti amo,” she whispered in his ear, and his smile made her heart soar.
“Ti amerò per sempre,” he said simply.I will love you forever.
Friday came around, and Ori felt her heart lift as they caught a water taxi out to where Maceo’s Lotus was parked. When they drove out of the city, they held hands, and both of them felt a lightning of the spirit. Maceo told Ori as much as he knew about Florence and Tuscany and Ori listened to the passionate Italian as he described the beauty of his homeland.Oh, how I love you,she thought, her hand tangling in his dark curls.
They stopped along the way at a small roadside tavern, and Ori was delighted at spending time with Maceo, truly alone with him. They were relaxed and happy and joking around. As they walked back to the car, Maceo whispered in her ear. “Think we should stop in some olive grove along the way?”
Ori grinned at him. “And why’s that?” she retorted, feigning innocence.
Maceo laughed.
