“I need you to be my date,” I say the words I know will make Liesel’s year. Because even if the date is fake, it won’t feel like that to either of us.
21
Kai
I’ve spent an hour in the library learning everything I can about Milo Wallace.
He’s rich.
He’s single, but always has a hot woman on his arm.
He lives in France.
But he’s going to be here in Miami, tomorrow night.
And of course, he’s throwing a party on his fancy yacht.
Shit.
; Why does it have to be on a yacht?
This will be my only chance to get the ring. Flying to France would be an automatic loss. Enzo will have a private jet fly him before I can even figure out how to buy a ticket myself.
I need an invite to that party. I need a dress. I need the best hair and makeup. And then I need to seduce this man.
I could go to my father for help. But even if he wanted to help me, he has no money. And I don’t want his help. He had twenty years to try and help me; he chose not to. He chose to keep me in the dark.
I could go back to Enzo’s place, but I hate that idea. I’m sure there is a fancy dress in the closet I could wear, but I don’t want his help either.
I want to do this myself.
My wheels turn in my head trying to figure out a plan. Think, think, think.
I hate stealing things, but I don’t have much of a choice.
I could use the gun tucked into my pants that Zeke gave me to rob someone, but that seems too dangerous. I should just stash the gun somewhere, because I know I’m not going to use it.
I stare down at the ring.
Sell it, pawn it.
No.
I turn the ring, trying to come up with a plan that doesn’t make me a thief.
Ring!
I have my mother’s ring in my jewelry box at my father’s home. He gave it to me when she died. It won’t get me as much money as Enzo’s ring, but it will be enough to buy a slutty dress, some makeup, and a cab ride to the pier.
Two hours later, I have my mother’s ring in my hand. A ring I never thought I would sell, even for food. But here I am standing outside the old pawn shop I've sold things at before, considering doing just that.
Sell Enzo’s instead, the devil says in my ear.
No.
I don’t need my mother’s ring to remember her. And I will not betray Enzo by pawning his mother’s ring off the first chance I get.