Page 22 of His Wicked Revenge

Dismissing the thoughts of all the men I’ve spent the last three years with, I step into the house. The entryway is large; two light brown, narrow tables sit against each white-painted wall on either side of me.

One table has Carter’s shoes neatly tucked on the rack underneath, while the other table has a clay bowl. It looks like Carter made it, and I see car keys sitting in it.

There is another door with a big glass window in the center, enclosing the entryway from the rest of the house, but it is slightly open. I push past it and glance to my right to find an office painted a deep green, most likely for Myles. To my left is a colorful playroom where toys are neatly put away.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can tell I’m not alone. My attention gets stolen as a figure walks out of the kitchen and into the hall. Blonde hair I know all too well, and when I glance at his face, he is wearing a wide grin.

“Leo! I’m so glad I didn’t have to bring you here physically,” he jokes as he slings his arms around my shoulder. “Let’s get you a drink or two.” Myles drops his voice to a whisper. Barely able to hear the words he mutters, he says, “Lord knows you’ll need them.”

“I was only planning on having one tonight,” I tell him softly. “Wait, why will I need them?”

We stop in the hallway, and he huffs out a breath. “I told Chloe it wasn’t the best time, but she insisted.”

“Insisted on what?” I question.

“She has this girl she wants you to meet.” Myles takes a swig of his beer, still not looking at me.

I step out of his hold to face him. “That was the plan all along? Chloe wanted me to come so she could set me up with someone?”

“That isn’t the only reason. She is your sister, after all.” He sighs and flashes me a look of sorrow. “Of course, Chloe wants you here to hang out and party. Let loose a little. Like I said, I told her…”

“Told me what?” Chloe interrupts Myles as she joins us in the hall. She wastes no time wrapping an arm around my body and squeezing me tight.

“That you want to set me up with someone,” I tell her.

“Myles!” She removes herself from me to swat at him. “I told you I’d handle it!”

He raises his arms in defense and apologizes.

“As much as I appreciate it, Chlo, I don’t think right now is the best time to meet someone. I’ve been out of prison for, like, a month.”

“I know, but I just know the two of you will hit it off!” Chloe puts on her infamous pout that she always pulled when we were younger to get her way. “Give her a chance. See what the vibes are like; it's fine if you don’t feel anything! I didn’t promise her a marriage proposal! You two could be good friends!”

My eyes dance between my sister and my best friend. Myles has a tight smile, his eyes holding an apology, while my sister’s eyes gleam. Her smile is bright and hopeful, which makes me sigh.

“Fine. I’ll meet her, but I’ll need that beer first.” I narrow my eyes at my best friend.

“On it!” Myles hurries away to the kitchen to grab me a drink.

Chloe loops her arm around mine and leads us toward all the people. I allow her to drag me through the house until I am met with a small crowd in the kitchen. Myles quickly shoves an open beer bottle in my hand, and I don’t hesitate to take a huge sip.

Myles and Chloe introduce me to friends and coworkers of theirs as we make our way through the room. Some of Myles's co-workers are now Chloe’s since he got her a job at the office.

Old friends of Chloe say hello to me—hesitation in their body language as I am in their presence. It contrasts starkly with how they acted the last time I saw them. Of course, they all know what I did.

Coming tonight was a mistake.

I take another sip of my beer when we approach two women. One has pitch-black hair and blue eyes, while I can only see the back of the second girl. Deep blonde hair falls to her mid-back, shining vibrantly against her black sundress. The fabric is adorned with tiny, beautiful roses.

Chloe lets go of me and stands beside the two women. My sister apologizes for the interruption while placing her hand on the back of the blonde’s arm.

My heart is racing in my chest. This will be my first interaction with a woman in three years. After strictly being around men, I probably lost my touch.

The one with dark hair walks away, and my sister turns to me with an eager smile. The blonde beside her spins on her feet and flashes me a bright smile.

My heart, which was racing, has now stopped abruptly.

“Leo, this is Camille,” Chloe introduces us. “Camille, this is my brother, Leo.”