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“Of course.” He shoves his phone in his pocket as he stands. A smile curves his lips as he runs his gaze over me. “I must have been a true saint in my past life, because you blow me away every time I see you.”
Perhaps the vague sense that something is very wrong is lingering from earlier, when I thought the boots were another message from Nicole, and I’m just reading into things. I take a deep breath and bask in the contentment. "The feeling is mutual.”
“Shall we?” He takes my hand.
“Unless you want to get in trouble with the queens.”
“Definitely not.” His hand covers the small of my back as he leans in. “Besides, with the way you look tonight I can’t wait to show you off.”
“Miss Love,” Jackson greets me when we step into the foyer. “I hope you’re feeling better.”
“Yes, very much,” I say as we leave the apartment.
“You weren’t feeling well? If you want we can call off this evening.” Rogue holds my hand in the crook of his arm while the elevator descends.
I squeeze his bicep and smile up at him even though the thought of Nicole makes my stomach tight and heavy. “No. It was a small stomachache. I’m fine now. Besides, I can’t wait to see Adira.”
We enter the garage and walk across the concrete structure to the car. Rogue holds my door open and I climb in as his phone starts to ring.
He looks at the screen. “I need to take this.”
The door closes and I settle into the backseat of the Range Rover while Jackson climbs into the driver’s seat. He stays poised and alert. “Ma’am, you received another flower arrangement. I had it removed for you.”
A chill rolls down my spine. “Was there a card?”
He pulls the white envelope out of his jacket pocket and hands it to me.
“Did you look at the card?” I consider opening it, but I probably don’t have time. Rogue could finish his call any second.
“I will have to tell Mr. Maddox about this.”
“Don’t.” I stow the envelope in my purse. “At least not tonight. Give me time to talk to him. It should come from me.”
“Okay,” Jackson says as Rogue hangs up.
A second later Rogue takes a seat beside me and we’re on our way to Mojito Bar for a night of fun and frivolity. But the card in my clutch is a heavy weight on my chest.
Why couldn’t Nicole just leave us alone?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Rogue
MojitoBariscrowdedand noisy as we make our way past the line and inside. The queen on the door sees Ivy and rushes forward to take her hands. “Girl, I can’t believe you’re back. It’s been forever since the last time we saw you. We were all so worried about you when we heard what happened.”
“I’m sorry I had you worried, Celeste.” Ivy beams at her friend.
It’s the first time she’s smiled since we left the apartment, although she’s still clutching her bag so tightly her fingertips have turned white.
Jackson stands a few feet away, his attention constantly on Ivy. Which is good. It’s what I want. Isn’t it? Even if he seems a tad more alert than usual. But I got the impression that I interrupted something when I entered the car, and that sensation has only grown stronger with Ivy’s actions since.
“Oh never mind that now.” The queen eyes me up and down. “Tell me this hunk-o-spunk is treating you like royalty.”
“He’s been nothing but patient with me.” Ivy smiles up at me. “It hasn’t been easy, considering I still don’t have my memories.”
“Everything with you is easy.” I draw her close and kiss her temple. So much easier than not having her in my life would be.
“I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before you’re back to your usual self.” Celeste holds her hand between both of his.
