“Shit. They’re on fire, Jasmine.” I hiss in a breath. I can feel them expanding like a balloon.
“I know.” She smiles. “I like it.”
“I wanna try.” Emilee reaches across the table and puts some on her lips.
“Why are you using that?” Haven asks.
“It makes your lips plump,” Jasmine answers in a duh voice.
“Why don’t you just get your lips done?” Haven offers.
“I’m not quite ready for that commitment,” she replies.
“Hmm.” Emilee nods. “I like it too.”
“What even made you think to put it on your lips?” I ask, holding the soaked napkin to my mouth.
“I tried it on my nipples one night. A guy was sucking on them, then kissed me. Boom! It’s my newest lip balm.”
Note to self: never use anything that Jasmine has on her. It’s like just say no when a stranger offers you candy. “What time are we going to the Airport tonight?” I manage to mumble, running an ice cube over my swollen lips. It reminds me of going to the dentist and your mouth going numb from the injections.
“I’ll pick you up around ten, and we’ll get ready at my house,” Jasmine answers.
“Isn’t that late?” I ask, the ice melting and running down my chin.
“If Grave is at the Airport, then he’s there to fight. And he’ll be the main event. That doesn’t happen until two or three a.m.”
“Fight?” My brows rise.
Emilee nods. “Oh, yeah. Grave kicks ass at fighting. The guy can’t lose.”
“He’s never mentioned it,” I mumble, wondering just how much I don’t know about him. We don’t have heart-to-heart conversations. I’ve never been the type of woman to push a guy to give me details about their life. Maybe because I’m not one for sharing either. But my life is pretty boring.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
APRIL
I STAND IN Jasmine’s bathroom, curling my hair. The room is bigger than my master bedroom. It has heated floors and a marble counter. His and her sinks. She stands in front of one while I’m in front of the other. The whirlpool bathtub sits off to the right of us with the large shower behind it that you can enter from either side. I looked inside, and there are five showerheads. There’s a fireplace in the corner that is see-through into her master suite. I’d never leave this bathroom.
“Can I ask you something personal?” I turn to face her.
“Sure. I’m an open book.” She pops the lid off her lipstick.
“What did Haven mean by Luca would never allow her to go to the Airport? Is he really controlling? I remember that there was a guy who you mentioned was her babysitter when we were at lunch that first time I met her.” I think they said his name was Nite.
“Luca runs the Las Vegas American-Italian mafia.”
I gasp. Holy shit! Derek was right! “You’re serious?” He had said that Bones had an in with the mafia. And Luca was on the phone talking about going to Kingdom. Could that be the connection? If so, then that means he’s got to be close to Grave as well.
“Yep.” She nods. “Don’t you ever watch the news? Their engagement was a big deal.”
“No,” I say honestly, going back to my hair somewhat in a daze.
“Well, a lot of people would love to get their hands on Haven to get to Luca. So although to some, he may appear controlling or possessive, he’s really just keeping her safe.”
“I can see that.” I can’t imagine the kind of life where you’re always having to look over your shoulder or never knowing who is after your husband. Or yourself. Wanting a family but afraid to bring a child into that world.
“Are you ready for that kind of life?”
I set the curling iron down and look over at her. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean …” She pops her nude-colored lips. “That being with a King could have the same ramifications. They’re powerful but also hated by many. Being with one could make things difficult. For you. For him.”
“Are you asking me if I’m in love with Grave and willing to risk my life for that?” That’s what I take from her cryptic words.
She gives me a quick side-eye. “Are you?”
“No,” I answer, shaking my head.
She sets down her lipstick and turns to face me, a smirk on her face as if she knows some secret. “So you’re willing to walk away from him?”
I go to say yes but shut my mouth. “I mean … I like him.”
She places her hand on my shoulder. “Do you like him enough to fight for him?”
My mother raised my brother and me to fight for what you want, but you also can’t make someone love you. They either want you in their life or they don’t. You can’t keep what doesn’t belong to you. “What exactly am I fighting?” I ask confused.