“I’m glad to hear it. Everything else is cleaned up. No traces will ever lead to Serena or the family.”
“Like I said, you’re the best at what you do.”
“And don’t you fucking forget it,” I remind him.
“I’m taking a long vacation with Serena. I talked to Gabe about it, and he offered to cover at Kayde Investments for me.”
That piques both of our interests because Gabriel Kayde is always so eager to leave Veridian Bay.
“There isn’t anything new in the investigation, but I’ll let you know if I find anything,” I assure him. There’s an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach because things are quiet, too quiet.
He takes a frustrated deep breath. “Miles, make sure to keep an eye on Veronica.”
“Yes, boss,” I say sarcastically. It’s public knowledge that Veronica hates me, and to be frank, I don’t like her much either. That’s why I go out of my way to piss her off. A couple of months ago, I erased her mood boards. That was before she said I had a limp dick. After that comment, I deleted all her contacts from her phone. Fucking spoiled brat. I have anything but a limp dick.
“Smart-ass. I have a bad feeling this isn’t the end,” he admits.
“I have the same feeling. Don’t worry, I’ll keep her safe.” I try to sound as reassuring as I can. The only problem is that Veronica doesn’t seem to care about her own safety. I hang up the phone and look at the view outside my window. The bright lights of New York City stare back at me. I’m here for work. Before I left Colombia, I tried to convince Tia Susana to travel with me, but she declined. I worry about her being alone, but I think she prefers it that way.
It’s times like tonight, when I have the urge to fuck, that I’m glad to be traveling alone. I grab my phone and head out the door. I know exactly where to go.
Veronica
Chapter 4
When I met Beccato look at apartments, what I thought would be a day of looking at a variety of options turned out to be just one in downtown Veridian Bay. It was atake it or leave itsituation, so I took it. There’s a bellman, and security monitors the areas. It has a decent closet, but if I need more space, I can use the spare bedroom as storage. Cam was right; there is a beautiful view of the city. The large window will be perfect for my babies.
I was able to furnish the place to my liking. My cousins offered to pay for my furniture, so I let them. Why spend my money when I can spend theirs? They have more of it than I do. Now that I have my own place, I need a job. The only thing is, I’ve never worked a day in my life. I have good people skills, I can throw a great party, I give a hell of a blowjob, but I doubt that I can put that on my résumé.
During my visit with Mom today, she offered to help me while I “find myself,” but I declined. She looked well; it seems the new medication is helping manage her symptoms. My brothers were there as well. Serena wasn’t able to attend the family dinner; she was with Yuri, who I was friends with when I was younger. Our families would vacation together when her parents were still married. Then one summer, things changed. By that time, Ian was spending more time with Caleb, while Gabe would join us for a couple of days on and off. As I got older, I realized he wasn’t there to spend time with the families; he was there for Yuri. Even at a young age, I knew what people in love looked like. I saw it with my parents and in the way Gabe looked at Yuri, but she used him and broke his heart. Since then, my brother hasn’t been the same. It’s something I haven’t forgiven her for. After that summer, the families stopped vacationing together.
Ian told us about his upcoming trip with Serena, so Gabe will be taking his place at Kayde Investments. I’m happy that Gabe will be home more. I miss him. He wasn’t always so serious, but I guess it comes with the territory of being a lawyer. On top of that, he has a degree in economics. No wonder he’s always stressed. The thought of sitting behind a desk all day gives me anxiety. Good riddance.
I loved spending time with my family tonight, but like all the other times we were in the same room, I felt inferior to my siblings, hell, to my entire family. Having my small two-bedroom apartment is only step one of a new me. I brought a stack of mail with me because I’d forgotten to change my address from my parents’. I grab my favorite red wine and a slice of chocolate cake. It’s still early, but I decide to stay in for the night. Looking at the end table, feeling domestic, I search for my letter opener. I’m going to assume it’s all invitations to parties because everyone knows how much I love a good time.
Damn, I can’t find the letter opener, so I grab the pocketknife I carry, courtesy of my brother. I use the sharp blade and slice through the top of the envelope. The image of Ian’s face if he saw me using a very nice and expensive weapon as a letter opener makes me laugh.
I open a couple, and, just as I thought, they’re invitations to some local events. A black envelope stands out; there is no return address. Strange. I open it and turn it over, shaking it. The contents are stuck. I put my hand inside and grab what looks to be a small card. Pulling it out, my stomach drops. My hand trembles as I stare at a photograph of myself, nude and smiling. I’m holding it for what seems like hours, but it’s only seconds. I remember the night this was taken.
“Sweetheart, do you love me?”
“More than anything,” I tell him.
“That’s what I like to hear. Now show me how much you love me.” He pulls out a small bag from his jeans pocket. I see it’s full of white pills. “Now open that mouth of yours.” He removes a pill from the bag and puts it under my tongue. “It’s going to dissolve faster, and you’ll feel good in no time,” he tells me as he begins to caress my thighs. “Baby, this is going to be so much fun. You’re going to make me feel so good.”
I feel the effect of the alcohol and the pill flowing through me. It feels warm. So warm.
“Let me take a picture of this beautiful body?” he asks.
My eyes widen at the idea of posing naked. I’ve always been self-conscious of my body. But I love him, and he loves me. I know I can trust him, and I want to make him happy. “Do-do you promise not to show anyone?” I ask as his hand continues to caress my inner thigh. Making his way to my pussy. I don’t know what that pill was, but it makes my skin feel hot.
“I promise. You can trust me, sweetheart. Fuck, your cunt is going to feel so good. I’m going to make you feel so good.”
“O-Okay.” My voice is low and unsure. But I want to show him how much I trust him and how much I care about him.
That was the first time I let him take a picture of me and the first time I took a pill, but it wasn’t the last. Fuck, I let him do whatever he wanted because he made me feel special. Like I was the only person who existed for him. And I wanted to make him feel loved. He had no one, just me.
In a panic, I tear the picture into pieces as if getting rid of the evidence will erase the memory. I grab my phone and call Berenice, but no answer. Fuck…I run to my freezer…I need something. It’s the only way I can cope with the memories, by forgetting them. Pretending it was another person. I grab the clear liquor and uncap the bottle, not bothering to use a glass; I just drink it straight. I know this won’t be enough. It never is.
