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Istand on the balcony outside of our bedroom and look out at the lake.
Light glitters on the waves. The sun’s sinking in the sky, leaving it all pinks and purples. It’s funny how I’ve gotten so used to this place already. I’m in cashmere and silk and a pair of fuzzy slippers against the coming fall chill. I’ve never owned clothes like this before in my life, but Evander keeps insisting that I dress like his wife.
Even though our agreement is at an end.
It’s strange how when I first got here, the idea of dressing in fancy outfits repulsed me. Now though, I’m beginning to love all the different styles and options I have.
We haven’t discussed what to do now that Christopher is gone and the war is over. I don’t need to stay here anymore—nobody will chase me down if I leave the city. Our agreement is complete and our deal is at an end.
But every time I work up the courage to say something, the words don’t leave my lips, and he hasn’t broached the subject.
We keep living like this. In limbo, uncertain. Like we’re actually married.
I eat dinner with Helen and Dimitra most nights. I go to the diner during the day and take a few shifts. Demetrios falls over himself to be kind to me, but Phel promises he’ll get used to the whole Mrs. Kazan thing one day.
Things are good. I’m happy. Evander wears the wedding ring and sleeps in bed with me.
He treats me like his wife.
Except I don’t know what we are, and I don’t know how to ask.
“You look good like that.”
I turn and smile as Evander lingers near the sliding door.
“Were you watching me for long?”
“A little while.” He comes over and leans against the railing next to me. “The lighting’s nice right now. If I had a camera, I’d take your portrait.”
“I didn’t know you had an artistic side.”
“Normally, I don’t, but now that the Italians are all dead—” He shrugs. “I have time for a new hobby.”
I grin at him and lean against his strong shoulder. “How did the meeting go?”
“They’re a mess,” he says softly. “The new Don’s a young kid. Looks like he’s been spending the last few weeks murdering all his rivals, and I guess he’s the only one left standing.”
“Are they going to agree to your terms?”
“I ended up giving them one way out of this. Leave the city for good.”
I raise my eyebrows. “He agreed?”
“He did, and I think he’ll honor it. He’s smart enough to know that if they don’t go, I’m going to kill them all. But we’ll see.” He frowns at me for a long moment. “They asked for something, and I wasn’t sure what to say. I told them I had to talk to you first.”
I pull back slightly in surprise. “You don’t normally involve me in your business.”
“The Don asked for Chris Conti’s body back.”
I stare at him. A thousand feelings rip through me. Sorrow, anger, rage. How dare they ask for that scumbag back? But what does it matter to me anymore? “I guess that means he’s dead.”
“Very dead. If you want to refuse them, I’ll understand. We’ll dump what’s left of your former husband in the lake—”
“No, it’s okay.” I wave him off. “Go ahead, give the body back. I bet his mother wants it.”
“Did you know her? The mother?”
“Met her a few times, but I think she was as afraid of her son as I was. Maybe she wants to spit on his body one more time before he’s tossed in a hole somewhere.” I laugh to myself and feel the emotions drain away.
