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Ian stood, sliding his hands into his pockets. “It’s time.”
“For?” I glanced back and forth between them.
The corner of Ian’s lips twisted up. “I’m confident if anyone can bring that fucker out of hiding, Kitty Dior can.”
“Who the heck is Kitty Dior?” Mila asked, completely invested in the drama.
“Me.” I looked back at her, my brow furrowed at the name I’d not heard in a long time, and now regretted telling him. “He’s putting me back on stage as bait.”
“Just another night at Euphoria,” Amber sighed with a quiet snicker.
“So bad ass,” Giovanna giggled. “I love you guys already. Let me know how to help.”
12
KITTY DIOR
JADE
After we returned home, I didn’t want to take my eyes off Maddie. Luke appointed an all-night watch in the front and back of the house and I also had security cameras and a house alarm; but no level of protection was good enough for my daughter. She was my entire world.
It took everything in me not to pull out her old baby monitor and put it in her room for the night so I could keep an ear out for her. I was sure it was overboard, and I trusted nothing would happen, but a part of me couldn’t shake the past. Dante being in prison was the best thing that ever happened to us. Knowing he was out, and no one knew where he was, was beyond devastating.
What was more upsetting was knowing Jenna had only applied at Club Euphoria because one of the Mussolini family members hacked into the system and perfectly orchestrated that entire ordeal. It worked out in the end, but knowing they had that kind of power and none of us saw it coming from a mile away until now, was terrifying.
I felt a shroud of guilt for everything that happened, wondering if my relationship with Dante was the beginning of the end for all of us. How carefully it came together like a puzzle. And if I was the target, why hadn’t they just come after me in the beginning instead of dragging others through it as well?
Much of it made sense now, but all of it was also confusing. I was sure the guys would win the war in the end, but how the hell would they be able to hunt down an entire bloodline and kill every single one of them, when for years, we didn’t even know Dante was a Mussolini? And how on earth did that family find me?!
Poor Jenna. I knew her well enough to know she was questioning everything now. And I knew Amber was questioning how she got dragged into the middle of it all. The family was absolutely ruthless. Every last one of them. And I knew, even if I took the blame in front of my friends, they’d all tell me the same thing. It’s not your fault.
Now, I was lying back on a bath pillow in my large oval soaker tub. A hot water bubble bath enveloping my nakedness, with lavender essential oil drops in the water. Four vanilla-scented pillar candles sat on a gold tray on the window ledge just above. 1940s jazz played on a jade-color suitcase record player from my bedroom, echoing ever so lightly into the bathroom. Luke bought it for me because I loved records, and the color matched my name. He was always so thoughtful.
Our nights often spilled into the early morning and jazz music usually filled an hour of our time. The sultry tones of a saxophone, the pulsating rhythm of a double bass, the soft tinkle of piano keys, formed a symphony that lulled us both into our own state of calm. It was his way of unwinding and taking a moment to reflect and breathe, while I associated it with the dimly lit streets of old gangster movies. He called himself an old soul, lost in the era of cool jazz, while I was simply an insomniac with a taste for noir.
The club was supposed to be open tonight, but it was closed for Saint Patrick’s Day and would open tomorrow for our Irish party. For now, I just wanted to forget Dante was released. I’d fight him with everything in me. I dare him to come after Maddie or me.
“Baby.”
Rolling my head to the side, I peeked out from my closed eyes to see Luke shirtless, leaning in the doorway, hands nestled in his grey sweatpants’ pockets. “Did you have a good talk with Gia?”
“Yeah, we talked a little about Luxe and I kind of filled her in on everything that’s been going on since she’s staying here and heard some of it earlier. Left out the same details Ian didn’t really want an outsider knowing.”
“And is she ready to run away already?” I tittered, lifting my gaze to the ceiling, then closing my eyes again. “Because I wouldn’t blame her at all.”
“No,” he chuckled, “she said to let her know what she needs to do to help. I swear, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with her dad and his kids.”
“I have a good feeling about her.”
And I truly did. The same feeling I had when Jenna came along. I knew the moment I saw her, she was meant for Ian, and I could feel it. I just wasn’t sure what role Giovanna would play at Euphoria or in our lives yet. But it felt like she belonged.
“Do you feel a little more relaxed now?”
I nodded. “Mm-hmm.”
I heard him approaching and felt him sit on the edge of the tub. Placing a hand on my shoulder, he kneaded my muscles gently and slowly. “I know it’s probably stupid of me to ask, but how are you feeling?”
Cracking my eyes open, I peered up at the handsome man I’d become obsessed with. He was everything to me. I wanted to keep him forever, and I felt that way every time I looked at him.
