Page 42 of Twisted Throne
“Soubrette? Really?”
“Yes. Is there something wrong with that?”
Whether she agreed or not, it described her perfectly. She’s a unique mix of sweet and spicy, light and dark.
“If you’re trying to compliment me with a cutesy nickname, wouldn’t you have been better off picking ‘principal’ or something instead of sticking me as a sidekick?”
“You could never be a sidekick to anyone,soubrette.” I stepped forward and closed the distance between us. “You glow.”
Smiling, she let her towel drop and stepped in to twine her arms around my neck, the scent of her strawberry shampoo enveloping me as we kissed.
Chapter Eighteen
Gia
Elena tutted over the rope burns on my wrists as we sat in the kitchen. She was apparently a stress baker, and the room was filled with the smell of baking bread and rich coffee. Which somebody else ELSE had made, despite my best efforts. I was going to conquer the coffee monster if it destroyed me. I hadn’t dared to ask Paul to take me back to my apartment to get mine though. Something told me that it wouldn’t go over well. So I guess my only option was to triumph over this monster. Eventually.
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” I assured her.
“But still.” She frowned, eyes still locked to my wrists. “Is this all of your injuries?”
“I’ve got a few bruises, but that’s all,” I replied. “The burns are the worst of it. Paul got to me before—before anything really bad could happen.”
She looked up at me with relief in her eyes.
“Thank God for that,” she said, as she rose from the table. “Coffee?”
“Sure,” I answered her. “Just black, thanks.”
“Gia!” Lucy squealed so loud that Elena jumped, hot coffee splashing onto the counter.
“Fuck, Lucy!” Elena cursed. “Watch it!”
“Woah, I’ve never heard you say that word before,” Lucy exclaimed, eyes wide in surprise. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Elena snapped as she grabbed the roll of paper towels and began to clean up the mess.
“So, Gia,” Lucy said, pulling out the chair beside me. “I have some news that will make you very happy!”
Oh, god, did she know about Paul?
“Okaaay,” I said slowly.
“You’re not going to have to worry about that Emilio dick anymore! I overheard Paul talking to Alec earlier. He said that there’s a shipment of drugs coming in for Antonio Sabitino tomorrow night, and we’re gonna blow them up!” Lucy crowed in delight.
“Tomorrow night?” Elena asked, turning to her.
“Yeah, why?” she asked her.
“Alec and I were supposed to go to dinner tomorrow night,” Elena said evenly. I had to respect her commitment to the role; if I were married to someone who treated me like Alec treated Elena, I wouldn’t be able to keep up that smooth society front. “I suppose we’ll probably have to reschedule now, that’s all.”
Lucy rolled her eyes at me, then continued.
“We’re getting them the fuckback!” she said excitedly. “They’ll never come near you again, I bet!”
“Lucy! Language!” Elena snapped.
“You just said the same damn thing, woman!” Lucy said indignantly.