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My eyes narrow. "Are you really?"
He grimaces and then sighs. “I am now. I'll be careful with your stuff."
Now he sincerely looks apologetic, but then again, I’m the worse judge of characters that ever walked this earth. I must be for not seeing what my ex was like before everyone else in town. “It's all that’s left of my grandmother's belongings. They're worthless to anyone but me."
When they finish loading everything, the guys with him push the ramp into the truck and close the doors. The sound of the metal slamming shut feels like a signal that the life I know is really over.
I can only hope the new one will be much better than what I’m leaving behind. I can't even bear to watch the long moving truck pulling out of the parking lot of the complex and onto the main thorough. I walk back into the now empty apartment and leave the keys on the counter for the landlord along with a check written out, including enough to pay for the final cleaning.
One more glance around and I choke back tears that burn behind my eyes. I will not cry for a life that wasn't really mine, at least not the one I thought it was or for a relationship that I thought was special, but clearly, he did not. Too much time has passed, and still the memories of the betrayal haunt me. It’s time to move on and leave them in the past where they belong.
My cell phone rings. “Embry!” I was just thinking of you. It’s done. The movers just packed up the last of my stuff. I'll be on the way to the airport shortly. The movers will be putting all my stuff in storage right outside of the city until I decide what I want to do with it. Maybe once I’m settled in Italy and get a place of my own, I’ll have it shipped over.”
“You know there’s no hurry. You can stay with us as long as you like. Lucas has a great estate in Italy along with others in the States and abroad. We’re not even there that much.”
That’s kind of her, but I plan on making my own way. “Thank you, Embry. I really appreciate all that you have both done to make this transition possible. I’ll find a place of my own quick.”
“Tansia, we’re family. You can stay as long as you need to or want. I already found you a job. If it's not what you want long term, no problem, but it pays well. Everyone who works at Descallia gets paid well."
“The vampire club you talk about?”
I can just picture my cousin’s narrowed eyes, as I absorb the brief silence on the other end of the line. “It's a mixed club. Everyone is welcome at Descallia's, except for witches. Absolutely no witches; well, except for one. She’s one of us technically, though.”
My eyes roll, and I’m glad she can’t see me. “It’s not an easy establishment to get work at, unless of course, you know someone. And I just happen to know the right people. You'll have to sign a non-disclosure agreement, though. What you see and hear at the club, it’s family business, and it doesn't leave the club; know what I mean?”
My eyes go wide. My cousin and I may be as thick as thieves, but she didn’t tell me she was working for a bunch of criminals. “What’s the job? Are they into illegal stuff? I'm not getting into anything illegal, am I?”
She laughs. “One question at a time. No, nothing like that, but they also don't want you talking to anyone about what goes on behind their walls, especially in the lower level.”
“Ahh, the sex club you were telling me about. Wait, what kind of job did you get me? I'm not taking off my clothes either! This body is not in any shape for that, and we both know I dance like I have two left feet.”
Embry laughs. "You have a body that most of us would kill for. That long slinky waist and killer boobs. But no, the job is nothing like that. You’ll be serving drinks and waiting tables, until you decide what it is that you want to do.”
I suck in a deep breath. This, I can do. “Thanks, Embry. I needed to hear your voice after a day like today. This is exactly what I need. A new start, in a fresh place. You know it's been a year last week since we broke up but to everyone, we’re still a couple. They think we're a thing, that we're going to get back together. He still has everyone in this town eating out of thepalm of his hand, and everything in this apartment seems to remind me of him. It’s time to move on.”
Embry's quiet on the other line. "I love you, Tansia, and can't wait to see you. Call me when you get to town. I’ll have a car pick you up and bring you straight to the club. A group of us will be meeting there again tonight to go over a few things. We’ve been working on organizing an assignment. I can’t really talk about it on the phone, but I’ll give you the 4-1-1 when you get here.”
I get into my car and head to the airport. The excitement of a trip across the ocean on a private jet, courtesy of my cousin and her vampire friends, and the thought of a new start on life courses through my veins.
The minute Embrysees me walk into the club, her purple eyes flash and she smiles brightly, quickening her pace with Lucas on her heels. My cousin throws her arms around me and hugs me tight. "I am so happy you're here, Tansia. I was just telling Lucas about all the things we need to catch up on."
Lucas smiles at Embry and then extends a hand to me. "Good to see you again, Tansia. We were glad you could make it to see Embry’s ceremony, but it was so crowded we barely had any time to visit with our friends and family.”
I shake his hand. “It was an impressive event. I've never been to anything like that.” Embry puts a finger to her lip and lowers her voice. “Remember to keep the fact that Lucianna gave me a ticket for you to ourselves. We're really only supposed to give them out to vampires, without the approval of the masters of the consulate. They don’t take too kindly to being kept out of the loop, especially right now with everything going on.”
Embry hasn’t changed a bit. Her long hair is still bright purple to match the color of her eyes, and she’s still showing off that dangly belly button ring with her short sweater and skirt. “I am so glad you took this job,” she gushes. “You will seriously love everything about working here. All the employees of the Descallia Resorts and Clubs are taken care of like family.” She squeezes my hand. “It will give you the fresh start you need. I promise!”
Lucas leads the two of us back to a table and introduces me to the group. Embry pats the empty seat between hers and one taken by a dark-haired vampire with penetrating pitch-black eyes. Overmaster Descallia has an arm around Lucianna, and he gives me a curt nod from across the table. “Glad you had a safe trip.”
“Thank you so much for letting me come over on the Descallia jet. I’ve never flown in a private jet before. I’ll be spoiled for life,” I tell him and Lucianna.
Lucianna smiles brightly at me. “We’re glad you had a nice trip. Embry has been talking about nothing else since you decided to come.”
Embry continues introducing me to the others. When she gets to the dark haired male next to me, he barely looks up. “This is Master Calabrea,” she says.
“Nice to meet you,” I tell him, although, I’m not really sure if that’s true.
His dark eyes take me in and then dismiss me as he picks a piece of lint from his dark suit jacket.
