Page 125 of His Wicked Revenge

“She heard my voice and approached me.”

I stare at her dumbfounded. “Not only did she see you, but she came up to you? Talked to you? Do you understand what could have happened if she recognized you?”

“But she didn’t.”

“That’s not the point, Veronica!” I comb a hand through my hair, dropping it to my mouth.

Her expression turns helpless, as if she doesn’t know what to say. She looks from me to her sister, then back at me. “I need some air.”

I stand still as I watch her stomp off toward the exit. I exhale deeply, shutting my eyes to calm myself when I hear my sister’s voice behind me.

“Did you just call her Veronica?”

CHAPTER 45

Leo

My eyes snap open, but I don’t turn around to face her. I can’t. What do I say? How would I come up with a lie on the spot like this? My palms are getting clammy, and I haven’t felt my heartbeat since she called my name.

I keep my eyes forward on the guests dancing around me. On Stephanie, who is still talking with a woman. Chloe steps around me, pulling my attention away from the crowd.

“Leo?” She folds her arms over her chest, the way she does when she is about to pout because she isn’t getting what she wants. “That is the second time I’ve heard someone call Camille by that name,” she huffs out.

The second time? I glance over at her shoulder to Stephanie, who is now looking in my direction. Chloe looks back to see what I’m staring at. When she turns back to look at me, her eyes grow wide as the irritation arises.

“That woman was at the dress shop. She called Camille ‘Veronica’ too.”

“Do you know who she is?”

Chloe spins around, looking at Stephanie, and then faces me again. “No. Camille said she knew her from school. That the lady wasn’t nice to her growing up. Camille wanted to avoid her, but when we were about to leave, she approached Camille and called her Veronica.”

Goddammit!

I guess I’ll add that to the list of things Veronica kept from me. Although it pisses me off that she kept it from me, what fills me with rage is that Chloe was involved.

Veronica is a risk to my family. I knew this, but I decided to put my revenge on her first. I let her bullshit lies bring my emotions that I’d hidden in the dark to resurface.

I can’t let this go on any longer.

You know what needs to be done, Leo. Don’t waste another second.

“Leo.” Chloe’s concerned voice tugs me away from the Devil in my head. “Why did you call her—” She stops for a second, and I see the wheels turning in her head. The moment her eyes light with realization is the moment that I feel destroyed. “Veronica. As in the patient you helped escape?”

“Chloe—” I take a step towards her, but she takes a step back.

As her breathing speeds up, I can see the mix of emotions running through her mind—first, confusion, then disappointment, shame, embarrassment, hurt, disgust, and finally, rage. She scoffs and inhales a deep breath as she begins processing all of the lies.

Shock and hurt line her face. “She—I befriended her! Months ago! Before you even got released from prison.”

“I know.” My face twists in pain. “She came back for me.”

“What…” She shakes her head. “Why…” Her hand begins to slowly rub her temples. “How…” She pauses, her eyes lifting to mine, shooting daggers at me. “How long have you known it was her?” Her voice is fierce, full of fire.

I hesitate for a second, hating myself with each second that passes.“Since the night you introduced us.”

“Jesus!” She laughs in disbelief and then points a finger in my face. “You knew the whole time! God, Leo, what were you thinking? She is dangerous, and you kept her in your life… in my life… in Carter’s life! You let me trust a murderer with my child! She stabbed you, Leo! What’s to say she wouldn’t have done it again? To you, me, or anyone else we love?”

“I’d never let her hurt any of you. If I thought she was any danger to you, Carter, and the baby, I wouldn’t have let her near you,” I plead.