Page 25 of The Naughty One
Juno Sasse sprawledon her friend’s couch and watched as Livia balanced a plate of cookies on her huge, pregnant belly. Juno grinned at her. “I can’t believe you’re having a baby, Livvy. When you think where you were a yearago.”
Livia Chatelaine smiled at her friend. “You’re not the only one who can’t believe it, darling. When Sandor stabbed me, then put that bullet in me, I thought that was it. I was a goner. Still, that’s in the past.” She smoothed her dress over her bump. “And this little girl is almost here. I cannotwait.”
Juno grinned. “My firstniece.”
“You betcha. Speaking of which, you haven’t filled me in on what your sisters are up to. Has Arti married Glen yet? What about Romy? Does she like the hospital inSeattle?”
“So many questions,” Juno laughed. “Okay, in order, no, they broke up; she’s fine; andyes.”
Livia almost spat out her cookie. “Glen and Artiwhat?”
“They split,” Juno repeated. “It wasn’t a nasty breakup or anything, they’d just grownapart.”
“Wow. So much for fairy tales,” Livia muttered in dismay. “Except mine. I won’t deny I’m living the dream. Poor Artithough.”
“I think she’s much happier, actually,” Juno said. “Now, the real gossip is Romy. Talk about fairy tales. She’s in love … with our soon-to-be step-brother Blue. Here …” She grabbed Livia’s iPad and typed something in, then showed Livia the photo of Blue Allende. Livia’s eyes openedwide.
“Wow, he’s gorgeous … and he andRomy?”
“Are fucking each other’s brains out. They’ve only just told Mom and Stuart, but I knew a whileback.”
Livia grinned at Juno’s smug expression. “They toldyou?”
“No, I went for coffee with them unexpectedly, and it was so obvious.” Her smile faded. “After what Romy’s ex did toher…”
Livia nodded, her eyes sad. “And they think he’s the one behind themurders?”
“Yup. God, the thought of something happening to her again … she’s so tiny, Liv, and she can kick ass, believe me, but Dacre is a sickfuck.”
Livia pushed herself from her chair, somewhat awkwardly, and came to hug her friend. “Juno, you can’t let it rule your life. I bet Romy is back at work today, saving lives. I remember when Sandor was waging his campaign … the thought of him hurting Nox or Odelle … if Romy feels half the anger I did, she won’t let Dacre near her or anyone sheloves.”
Juno felt comforted by her friend’s words and when she was in bed later, in the sumptuous guestroom of Nox and Livia’s mansion, she called Romy, surprised when her sister picked up straightaway.
“Well timed, Juno Boo.” Romy sounded cheerful, “I just got out of a four-hour surgery and am on a break. How’s NOLA? How are Livvy and gorgeousNox?”
“New Orleans is warm,” Juno teased, hearing Romy’s jealous groan. “Livvy is blooming, about to pop any second, and Nox is, well, delicious as always. You okay,Romulus?”
“I am good,” Romy said determinedly. “No fucker is messing withme.”
“You got seriously laid last night, didn’t you?” Juno laughed as her sistergiggled.
“Last night, this morning, and as soon as Blue finishes up, in about five minutes. The on-call room isfree.”
“Babe, you’ve turned into a nympho. Seriously, though, are youokay?”
“I really, really am, Boo. Please don’tworry.”
Juno heard voices in the background and then the familiar voice of Blue. She heard her sister laugh. “I guess you need to, um, get off … the phone, Imean.”
Romy laughed. “You guessed, right. You’re okay, though,right?”
“I am. I really am. I’ll talk to youtomorrow.”
“Okay. I loveyou.”
“Love youtoo.”
Juno clicked off her phone and snuggled down in her bed. Romy sounded happy, and not cowed by what was happening, and Juno had to be happy with that. She fell asleep and was woken three hours later by Livia shouting to Nox that the baby wascoming.
