Page 59 of Vengeful Vows
I said I could meet him before work at my favorite coffee shop.
That he didn’t counter my suggestion tells me how desperate he is.
“Have you heard from Nico?” Amelia asks carefully.
“Nothing.” I’m not entirely surprised. He knows where I am, and I fully expect he has Sergio—or someone else—watching me.
I’m no longer under any illusions about who Sergio is. I’m not familiar with mafia lingo—and I don’t plan to become so—but he’s some sort of bodyguard or protector. And Antonio? Thedriverassigned to me? He’s nothing more than a hired goon too, I’m sure.
Nico has played me well while I’ve been naively living in la-la land.
“You’re totally welcome to come back here,” Amelia says as she gives me a hug.
“Thank you.” But I won’t. I’ve already involved her in my personal drama more than I should have.
“You can’t go back to his place.”
I’ve thought about that, and the bastard has ensured I have no home of my own. “I think I’ll go to the Sterling Uptown.” Definitely not the property where I met him and where he’s decided to host the wedding reception we’ll no longer be having.
“That’s…” She smiles. “Pricey.”
Very.“I’ll use the credit card that Mar—” I stop myself. How long will I keep thinking of him by his alias? He’sNico,not Marse.
With determination, I try again. “The credit card thatNicogave me.” I’ll need some time to find a place to live, and I still have to work. Since he got me into this mess, he can damn well help me get out of it. “I don’t care if he has to rob a bank to pay the bill.” Which he is more than capable of doing, I’m sure.
“That’s the spirit.” She laughs. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks for everything.” I head for the door, but the sound of her voice stops me.
“You’re going to need clothes. How about I send you some from the store?”
That’s a perfect solution. She knows my size and my taste. “Make sure the invoice is delivered to my former fiancé.”
“Oh, honey.” She grins broadly. “I have his card on file. I guessed he’d want to shop for you again, so I planned to make it as easy as possible for him.”
My friend is a smart businesswoman. “I love you even more,” I tell her as we high-five each other.
In my purse, I have mascara and a tube of lipstick which will have to suffice for now. After meeting my brother, I’ll pop into a drug store and pick up a few more basic cosmetics.
Nico can either send me the rest of my belongings, or it’ll cost him a pretty penny to replace them.
“If you change your mind about the hotel, you can come back here.”
“I won the friend lottery with you.”
We hug, and I receive a notification that the car I ordered has arrived. “Gotta go. Thanks again.”
I open the front door to see a car waiting. That was fast. Then another one pulls up behind it.
The first, I realize, is not the rideshare.
I sigh as Antonio opens the driver’s door and steps onto the curb.
For a moment, I consider dismissing him. But what good will it do me? Antonio may get in trouble with Nico, and no doubt I’ll be followed.
Suddenly I don’t care.
Tipping my chin, I boldly stride toward the driver I’ve hired and give him the address of the coffee shop.