When she tries to reach for the device, I glare at her. “Touch it, and none of us will make it to the party.”
She gives me a disgruntled look. “You’re a sucker for punishment.”
I swipe on the screen, and seeing a text from Rosalie makes a smile spread over my face. I quickly tap on it.
I miss you too.
My fingers rush to type out a message.
Are you working through your emotions?
I watch as it shows she’s typing.
Rosalie: Yes.
Viktor: That’s good. And? Have you made any breakthroughs?
Rosalie: Yes. I just need a little more time.
Viktor: How’s the apartment? What’s the address? Do you need more money?
It doesn’t show that she’s typing as I climb into the back of the SUV.
We’re halfway to Nikolas’ place when a text finally comes through.
Rosalie: I have to go. I’ll be in touch soon.
Tilting my head, I stare at the words. An uneasy feeling settles in my gut because she didn’t give me the address of where she’s staying.
I quickly check her tracking device, and it shows she’s at the Sicilian restaurant again.
Maybe she got work there?
Still, why didn’t she tell me?
There’s a sinking feeling in my heart, thinking she doesn’t want me to know where she’s living because she doesn’t trust me.
That fucking sucks.
If Rosalie can’t trust me, then we’ll never find our way back to each other. Without trust, there’s nothing.
“What’s wrong?” Luca asks.
I shake my head and tuck my phone back into my pocket. Staring out the window, I notice we’re turning into the street whereAphroditeis. Nikolas opened the club as a front to smuggle arms from Gabriel, who’s based in Seattle. It’s made it easier for them to transport the weapons over the border between the two cities.
When the SUV comes to a stop, I throw the door open and climb out. Straightening my jacket, I glance at the long line of people waiting to get into the club.
Three women at the front of the line check me out. Before Rosalie, I would’ve invited them to join me, but those days are long gone. I’m a one-woman-man which means I’m fucked for the rest of my life if Rosalie doesn’t come back to me.
Letting out a sigh, I ignore the bouncer and walk into the club so I can drown my sorrows.
With Luca and Mariya following behind me, I head up to the VIP section. The area has been closed off for Nikolas’ party, and I notice only his family and the other men from the Priesthood have been invited.
I walk to Nikolas and pat him on the back. “I hear you’re an old fucker now? Forty is just around the corner.”
He turns to me while chuckling. “Fuck you for reminding me.”
We give each other a brotherly hug, then he searches my face. “You look like shit.”