Page 18 of Fracture
Anabelle nodded. “Yes, that’s a good word. You’re always very nice, and I never have to ask you to pay me. You’re very generous, which I appreciate. But you’re not warm and fuzzy.”
Lorelei saw Karli raise her eyebrows and smiled. “Maybe I should change that.”
Anabelle and Adam hid a chuckle with a cough, and Lorelei glared at her partner.
“Stop laughing.”
Adam held his hands up in defense.
“I don’t want to be someone who holds back their emotions. That doesn’t feel like me.” Lorelei looked around the room at the people who all knew the old her. The woman she couldn’t remember.
Except Vinnie. He said they hadn’t spoken before. Which version of her would Vinnie like?
No. Lorelei wasn’t going to change who she was for a man. She was going to be the version of her she wanted to be. Like Karli suggested.
“I think it’s time we get out of here,” Lorelei said.
“I will clean the couch, Ms. Sloane. It’ll be like nothing happened.”
“Don’t worry about it, Anabelle. I’ll have someone get rid of it. I don’t want it here. I don’t want to ever see that couch again.”
“Are you sure, Ms. Sloane?”
“Yes. And I think you should call me Lorelei.”
“Lorelei?”
“Yes. If I call you Anabelle, you should be calling me Lorelei.”
“Yes, Ms. Sloane.”
Lorelei smiled at Anabelle.
Anabelle chuckled. “I will try. Is there anything else?”
Lorelei looked around at the apartment she didn’t remember. At the place she came to and only felt safe because Vinnie was there. She didn’t want to be there. She couldn’t imagine going back there, living in that apartment knowing someone dumped her body there to let her die.
“One more thing. I’m moving.”
The others in the room gasped, but Lorelei ignored them.
“I don’t know if I’m going to find another apartment in Boston or move somewhere else, but I can’t be here. I would appreciate it if you would keep this place in the same excellent shape you’ve kept it in so far, and I will make sure you know well in advance when it’s sold, but I can’t be here.”
“I don’t blame you, Ms… Lorelei. I wouldn’t want to be here either if I were you.”
“Do you feel safe being here, Anabelle? Are you okay being here?” Adam asked her.
Anabelle nodded. “It’s a safe building. I know it’s okay. And my husband knows where I am at all times. If he doesn’t hear from me, he will send a search party.”
“Are you sure?” Lorelei asked.
Anabelle moved to Lorelei and grabbed her hand. “I am fine. I am happy to take care of this place for you. I’m just happy you are safe. You are alive. I will get rid of the couch. Don’t worry about that. It will be good.”
“I can’t?—”
“You focus on getting healthy. I will take care of this. I will let you know how much it costs, and I will be here to let someone in. You need to be well so you can get back to kicking ass and protecting the world.”
Lorelei snorted. It didn’t sound like who she was now, but she couldn’t deny she liked the idea of it. “I’ll try.”