Rae
The fucking nerve.
He did a reverse me. Vanished my belongings.
I place a call on my cell phone to a number I haven’t used in a long time.
“Señorita Madani.”
“I’m sorry to call so late, Toro. Is he at the villa?”
“I’ll come and get you.”
“You don’t need—“
“I will come.”
I remove my wig and finger-comb my hair. There’s no change of clothes, so I stalk back downstairs in my same outfit.
The driver arrives, and I shift into the passenger seat, removing the paperback there. My lips twitch when I see the title. A Gentleman in Moscow. “How is it?”
“Surprisingly interesting. Thank you for sending it.”
“How’s your daughter?” I ask.
“I spoke to her this winter.” From the hope in his voice, it’s progress. “She called on my birthday. After you did.”
“You didn’t tell Harrison about that?” I caution.
“No.” We drive in silence until Toro adds, “We haven’t seen him the entire year. When he arrived earlier today, he was distraught.”
“I can imagine. He stormed my hotel room like he was laying siege to a castle.”
“His anger hides fear.”
I shift in my seat, cutting a look across the car. “There was nothing in that hotel suite he was afraid of.”
Toro sighs. “Life takes things we do not wish to give. He lost the people he cared about too soon. When his parents passed, he became angry. But it was when he grew quiet that we worried. He is not naturally reserved. Seeing him like that… It is not stable.” He cuts me a look.
I cross my arms. “He didn’t lose me. He gave me up. There’s a difference.”
When we pull up at the villa, I shift out and head up the steps to the door. I push on the handle, and it gives.
Inside, memories of last summer ambush me. Making coffee in the kitchen with Harrison. Taking Barney for his walks. Laughing with Ash on the couch.
There’s no sign of any of them, but music comes from somewhere far away.
I head through the villa, the lights on the patio drawing my attention. When I emerge, I see a sight I never thought I’d see.
The brothers are playing soccer barefoot, Ash in a T-shirt and shorts, Harrison shirtless in chinos. Barney is running between them.
What the fuck?
Harrison stops kicking, resting a foot on the ball as he looks between us. Barney attacks the now-still ball, trying to bat it away from Harrison. Until I step onto the patio, my heels clicking on the tile, and the dog lifts his head. His ears perk as he turns toward me.
“Barney…” I hold up a hand of warning, bracing an arm away from my black satin jumpsuit.
With his stunned, deliriously joyful brown eyes on my face, he launches himself at me. I’m knocked on my ass as the creature attacks me with his tongue, seeking any available skin.