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The high-heeled sandals that come with the dress are about as comfortable as I’d expect but the whole look is beautiful, right down to the diamond studs and bracelet that go with them.
For the first time in what feels like forever, I put on makeup, lining my eyes heavily in black, and twisting my hair into an elegant chignon. I look different than usual. Older and more sophisticated.
I go downstairs in the hopes of having a drink to calm my nerves because I keep thinking about last night.
The living room is dark, and I don’t switch on any lights, but the moment I reach for the bottle of vodka, someone clears their throat behind me.
My back stiffens, and I startle.
Goosebumps cover my flesh and my nipples seem to harden in the suddenly cool room.
Before I can move, Gregory is behind me. He takes the bottle from me and pours me a glass.
“Ice?”
I shake my head. I smell his aftershave and he’s so close, I can feel his breath on the back of my naked neck.
He holds the glass out to me.
“Thank you,” I say, taking it, his fingers warm against mine.
He surprises me when he walks away, back to his seat. I turn and remain where I am. I need the distance.
He lets his gaze run over me. “You look good.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you have a nice day?” he asks, swirling the amber liquid around his glass.
I nod. Swallow a big gulp. Almost choke on it.
He must notice because he chuckles. “Do I make you nervous, Helena?”
He didn’t call me Willow Girl. That’s good, right?
“No,” I say.
“You sure?”
I nod. “Where’s Sebastian?” I ask.
“Come here,” he says instead of answering me and pats the seat beside him.
“I’m fine.”
“Come here.” His tone makes a command out of the words and I go. I sit beside him. “Don’t worry, I can’t touch you when Sebastian isn’t in the room.”
“Is that some sort of agreement you two made?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m glad you consulted me.”
“Why would we need to consult our Willow Girl?”
Ah. There it is.
“My Willow Girl,” Sebastian’s voice booms.
I startle, gasp.
Sebastian is standing at the entrance of the room wearing a tux.
“Your Willow Girl,” Gregory says, getting to his feet. He doesn’t seem ruffled, though.
“Don’t forget that, brother.”
“You’d never let me, brother.”
I stand up too. “What’s the party?”
“A little thing Gallo’s throwing.”
“Joseph Gallo? Why are we going? You don’t even like him.”
“I don’t trust him. Like has nothing to do with it.”
“Then why are we going?”
“Because he invited us.”
“Why do I have to go?”
“Because you look pretty on my arm. Let’s go.”
He holds out his hand.
I go to him, take it. At the door, he puts a wrap around my shoulders that matches the dress.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
We go out to the boat and tonight, I ride inside while the brothers ride outside, Gregory smoking a cigarette. It brings back memories of the night Lucinda had me kidnapped and I look away.
But when we dock at the same spot where Sebastian and I came when I had to sign that stupid ledger, I hesitate.
“Where’s the party?”
“At our property,” Sebastian says, obviously waiting to tell me until the last minute.
“I don’t want to go there.” I back away from him.
Gregory makes a noise and steps off the boat onto the dock.
“We’re both here with you, Helena. Nothing’s going to happen.”
“Please. I don’t think I can.”
Sebastian takes my hand, holds it tight in his. “I promise I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
He doesn’t answer. He doesn’t have to.
With Gregory on one side of me, and Sebastian on the other, we head to the building and I wonder how Lucinda and Ethan got me to it without anyone seeing. It’s a little bit of a walk from the dock.
As we get closer, I grow more nauseous, and when we’re climbing the stairs, Sebastian has to all but drag me up.
The doors open to a beautifully lit space and soft opera music playing in the background.
The gathering is small, maybe forty people, and a long dining table is set formally. Gold and white are apparently the theme and I recognize the receptionist who greeted us last time.
We’ve just taken three glasses of champagne from a passing waiter when Joseph Gallo makes his way toward us.
I stiffen and slide my hand into Sebastian’s.
He squeezes it.
“Sebastian. Gregory,” he says, shaking their hands, smiling wide. “And Helena. Pleasure to see you again.”
I don’t offer my hand.
“Helena, why don’t we go find some food,” Gregory says, taking my arm.
I look to Sebastian, but he’s got his eyes locked on Gallo.
“Come on,” Gregory says.
I let him lead me away. I turn to him and he seems relaxed, picking up a canape and chewing on it, replacing his already empty champagne glass with something stronger.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
