by Nia Arthurs
“I’m fine.” She tries to stand on her own. Fails. Stumbles. Grips her ankle.
“Venus!” Troy appears suddenly. He grabs my shoulders. Checks me over with frantic eyes.
“I’m okay. I’m okay.” I brush him off.
He faces Ina. “Hey.”
She nods shyly.
He offers his hand. “Let me help you up.”
She shakes her head.
Tires squeal in the distance.
The mysterious vehicle disappears from sight.
“Who was that?”
“Probably Gloria Bateman,” Troy mumbles.
I arch an eyebrow what the hell?
“How did you know?” Ina rasps.
Troy glances at me. Then at her. “She’s out for revenge.” He pauses. “Fred Bateman is dead.”
We take Ina to the hospital. And by ‘we’—I mean Mom and I. Both Troy and Evan keep their distance because of Ina’s skittishness.
It’s awkward.
I won’t lie.
Thankfully, it’s not a long drive and Mom doesn’t say anything offensive.
She doesn’t say much at all.
It’s surreal. A few hours ago, we were screaming at each other. Unveiling the secrets of my dream. It was a horrific experience for me to remember, but for Ina…
I’m swinging between gratitude, guilt and total confusion.
Why was she stalking me?
Why did she rescue me?
And, most importantly, what does she want from me now that Fred Bateman is dead?
After the doctors check her over (it’s just a sprained ankle) and Mom leaves to cover the bill (most likely an excuse to run from the thick silence and overarching discomfort in the room), I get a chance to ask.
Pulling up a chair to the edge of the cot, I smile gently at Ina. “Hey.”
“Hey.” She avoids my eyes.
“It’s just you and me now.”
She nods slowly.
I study her round face and down-turned lips. “You wrote the note.”
Another nod.
“And the teddy bear?”
Confirmation again.
Ina rubs her thick fingers together. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Lord, don’t. That’ll make me feel even worse.”
She arches an eyebrow you?
“I should have remembered sooner. Spared you the stress of flying all the way here and torturing yourself—”
She shakes her head. “I should have talked to you instead of…”
“Stalking?” I smile to let her know there’s no hard feelings.
She clears her throat. “You moved out of your apartment.”
“And you texted me about that.” I lean forward. “The note, the teddy bear and the text—why all the vagueness? Why didn’t you just tell me who you were?”
“Gloria.”
“Bateman’s wife.”
Her face tightens. “She threatened me. Said she’d kill me if I reached out to you.”
“So you kept it a secret.”
“I tried to. But… I also wasn’t sure how to approach you. It’s been twenty years. And you… I… it’s not like we were friends.”
No. I was just a witness to one of the darkest seasons in her life. Too young to understand what was happening, but too perceptive to be okay with it.
“I needed your help, but I wasn’t sure how to ask. After watching you for a few days, I could see that you weren’t affected like I was. You were… happy. Had friends. A nice job. A man. It wasn’t a stain in your soul. And knowing what I had to face everyday, I kept wavering on whether I should drag you into it.”
“What exactly did you want me to do?”
“Testify at the parole hearing,” she whispers. “You never did back then. You never went to court, but you knew.” She glances up, tears in her eyes. “You knew what he did to me. He didn’t deserve to get out of jail. He deserved to rot in prison.”
The air crackles with her rage.
That wound is still raw and painful, even after all this time.
My guilt multiplies. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. You were only four and I—your mom made the right choice taking you away. At least you had one who cared.”
My heart hurts for her. “What happened… after?”
Her shoulders hike to her ears. “With me? Nothing. I went to school. Graduated. Went to therapy. I—tried to forget.”
“But you couldn’t,” I whisper.
“Something like that,” she sniffs, “I just… you take one day at a time. There’s nothing else that you can do.” She pats her stomach. “Except eat. Which I did. Obviously.”
It’s a joke.
She cracked a joke.
I smile. I’m in full admiration mode.
It’s been thirty minutes since we officially met, but I can tell already that Ina’s stronger than she gives herself credit for. Life hasn’t been easy, but she’s forging on, refusing to give up.
“I like you.” I lean back in my chair. “Is that weird?”
She ducks her head. Twin dimples flash in her smooth, brown cheeks. “Even though I stalked you?”
“I’ll overlook it.” I grin. “Though the knife in the garbage can was a bit much.”
Her eyes widen. “How did you know?”
I arch an eyebrow. “That was really yours?”
“I wanted to use it to break in, “she admits.
My jaw drops. “To my apartment?”
“Not to steal anything.” She waves her hands defensively. “Just to put the note inside the door rather than leaving it out for anyone to see.”
“You thought breaking in was a better idea than talking to me?”
She shrugs. “I was desperate. When I heard Bateman was considered for parole, I had to do something. Then Gloria sought me out, trying to get me to say I’d forgiven him.” She snorts as if the idea is ludicrous. “When I cussed her out, she threatened me. Said not to get any ideas and I… well,” she cringes, “that’s when I told her about you. About my plan to find you and… you know the rest.”
“Gloria sent me threatening texts.”
“Yeah, she found out I’d come to see you for real and lost it.”
“She tried to run me over.”
“I know.”
“Thanks for the save, by the way.”
“It wasn’t entirely selfless. I thought I still needed you to testify.”
I chuckle. “Painfully honest, but I’ll take it.”
She smiles.
I smile back.
Mom enters the room. She shrugs her purse over her shoulder. My eyes flicker to hers. There’s determination in their dark brown depths.
“Well, I covered the bill. You’re free to go.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Ina inches off the bed and balances on one leg.
I rush to help her.
Mom frowns. “Where are you headed now?”
“Now?” She shrugs. “Probably back home.”
“Is there anything pressing back in Belize?” Mom asks. “A job? A boyfriend?”
“Mom…” I shoot her a cool it look.
She ignores me.
“No.” Ina shakes her head. “I worked at the grocery store, but I put in my resignation before I came here. And there’s no—” she stumbles over her words. “I don’t really date.”
Mom nods thoughtfully.
Her eyes are churning.
It’s a look that’s familiar. The one she gave Troy the first time Evan brought him over for dinner.
“Have you eaten?”
“No, ma’am.”
Mom turns swiftly on her heels. “Lunch is getting cold. We should hurry back home before the gravy congeals.”
“Ma’am?” Ina shifts uncertainly.
“You’re staying for dinner.” Mom arches an eyebrow. Have a problem with that?
I pat her shoulder. Whisper, “Just go along with it.”
“Oh. Um… thanks.”
> Mom whirls around. Marches out. The door slams shut behind her.
Ina glances at me. “Why do I feel like I’ve been bull-dozed?”
“It’s just the beginning.” I slide a hand into my pocket. “My mom is bossy. Opinionated. Loud. Way too loud. She’s obsessed with turning me into a doctor and have I mentioned how loud she is?”
Ina’s eyes soften. “But you love her.”
“Well, yeah.” I smirk. “She’s my mom.”
“And she cares.” There’s sadness in her voice. A world of hurt. “At least you have that.”
“Sorry to break it to you, but I sense you’re about to face the same problem too.”
Ina bites down on her bottom lip as her eyes fill with hope.
We head to the door.
I sling my arm over her shoulder to help her balance and push the door open. “So… how do you feel about studying medicine?”
Thirty-Three
Troy
Silver moonlight bounces off reddish-brown hair as she glides onto the concrete.
Venus is breathtaking with that soft make-up and that silky cream gown. I can’t take my eyes off her.
My fingers trail her lower back. Rasp against soft brown skin. This dressed-up Venus is a version of her that I’m quickly becoming obsessed with.
If it’s even possible to crave her more than I already do.
She turns. Glances at me over her shoulder. Her curly hair frames her face. “You look hot.”
“Is ‘hot’ the only compliment in your vocabulary?”
“I have more colorful descriptions, but it’s not appropriate for a public setting.” Her gaze trails down to my pants. Then she glances up. Winks.
I laugh.
“See that.” She narrows her eyes. “Don’t smile in there.”
“Don’t smile?”
“And don’t… gah. Why do you look so gorgeous in a suit?”
“My apologies.”
“You need to get some paint on it. And mess up your hair.”
“Not sure that would work.” I cock my head to the side. “Given how hot I am.”
She groans. “Let’s show our face for an hour and head back to your place.”
“My place?” I nod at the doorman and press myself against her as we shuffle into the room. “Why not yours?”
“I forgot my key.”
“Liar.”
“Fine. I prefer your house. It’s annoying that I had to move out in the first place.”
I smirk.
A few days ago, Venus returned to her apartment. It was a decision I lamented, but I understood. Moving out was the only way to appease both Evan and Mrs. G.
Not that it matters.
Venus spends the same amount of time at my place as she did back when she was living there.
“Oh wow,” she mutters when we enter the ballroom. Its décor is gunning for extravagance and succeeding. Cream walls. Thick carpet. Sleek red curtains. Cherry tables.
The room is packed.
My tie immediately feels like a noose. These mindless networking events aren’t my style.
I glance down at Venus to see how she’s faring, but she doesn’t seem nearly as distressed. Her head bobs to the music and her eyes brighten on something in the distance. “There’s Kayla and Brendon.”
I glance the way she’s pointing.
They’re beaming.
You’d think this was their engagement party rather than the Humes’ annual charity gala.
“Hey, guys.” Venus waves when we near them.
Kayla smiles brightly and gives Venus a hug.
Brendon bumps my fist. “Sup.”
I nod at him.
Kayla glances up at me with guilty eyes. “Hey, Troy.” She plays with her extravagant diamond necklace. “Uh, I wanted to apologize for the whole matching you with someone else thing—”
“It’s fine.”
She sighs. “Really?”
“I heard you took the rap so Venus didn’t get in trouble.”
“She did.” Brendon laughs.
“At least you didn’t get fired.” Venus clutches her bag to her chest. “Or I would have felt awful.”
“Oh, well… er— I did.”
“What?”
“I did get fired.”
“But it’s okay because I took care of it.” Brendon swings his arms around her and gives her a soft kiss.
“What does that mean?” Venus demands.
Kayla goes completely red. “Um…”
“Make It Marriage is now a Humes Corp asset.” Brendon shrugs proudly.
“You’re kidding! You own our company now?”
“I don’t…” Kayla begins.
“She does.” Brendon kisses her again.
I raise both eyebrows, impressed. “Congratulations.”
“Oh… uh… thanks.” Despite her blushing cheeks, Kayla smiles happily. “We have the same board and everything. It’s just… I’m only the C.E.O.”
“Don’t you just love nepotism?” Venus teases.
Brendon grins. “Hey, she earned it.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Someone calls them away. The couple waves and leaves to their hosting duties.
“Can you believe that?” Venus shakes her head. “I’m friends with the new boss.”
“I’m sure you won’t take advantage of that whatsoever.”
“Of course not.” She grins wickedly. “Although”—a finger climbs to fix my collar—“I’m thinking of asking for my own office instead of having to share. You know.” She leans closer and whispers, “For privacy.”
Her brown eyes dazzle.
She’s wearing the pendant I gave her. The one in the shape of a sun with the planet Venus painted on the inside.
All the memories of that time eight years ago washes over me.
How much I’d wanted her. How much she’d tortured me with her smile, her laughter…
And tonight, she’s in my arms.
Her laughter, her smile—they’re mine.
Mine to treasure forever.
My breath thickens.
Every vein in my body is screaming for Venus.
I want to tear off that dress.
I want to plant my hands on her thighs.
I want to pin her to the wall and take her until she can’t walk.
But none of that is in the cards.
At least not while we’re in front of the city’s wealthiest.
She smiles like she knows exactly what she’s doing to me. “Want to dance?”
“Not really.”
“Yes, you do.” She pushes out her bottom lip. “Please.”
My legs cave before my brain can outline all the reasons why being the first and only couple on the dance floor is a bad idea.
We move in front of the orchestra.
I put my hands on her lower back and hip. She winds her arms around my neck.
Damn, she’s so soft. So sweet.
I pull her closer, swaying to the jazzy rhythm.
It’s just me and Venus.
No one else matters.
No one else can fill me up so much.
“Nice moves, Maddox,” she teases, her fingers brushing the back of my neck.
I respond by squeezing her closer. “Just don’t step on my toes.”
“Funny.” She sighs contentedly. “Ina called me this morning.”
“Your mom’s sending out school applications?”
“For nursing school.” She chuckles. “I warned her.”
“And how’s Ina’s Visa application?”
“There’s no reason she won’t get the student Visa or the scholarship.” Venus chuckles. “Although, I think she’s starting to regret agreeing to live with Mom. It’s a lot.”
“To you.” I mumble into her hair. “But to someone who’s never experienced that kind of love…”
She glances up. Looks at me with those gorgeous brown eyes.
I run my thumb over her cheek. “It’s everythi
ng.”
“Hm.” Venus lifts my hand. A silent instruction to spin her.
I do. Then I grab her waist and drag her back to me. “You know, it’s the man that’s supposed to lead.”
“We only let you think that.”
I dip her. “Is that so.”
She grins. “I like when you’re on top of me.”
“You trying to start something?”
“Are you brave enough to finish it?”
I pull her up. “Dare me.” Dare me to ravish you right here, right now.
“No, thanks. I don’t want to get arrested for public nudity. Not unless we spend the night in the same jail cell…”
I chuckle. “About Ina, I think staying here for a while is a safe bet. Gloria Bateman might be a problem if she goes back to Belize alone.”
Although Gloria was arrested here, she was let off with a warning and deported back to the Caribbean. If she was pissed off enough to try and run Venus over with a car, I don’t want to imagine what she’d do to Ina.
“We’re all aware. And Ina seems content here anyway.”
“I’m glad.”
“So am I.”
The song ends.
I tug her hand. “Ready to go?”
“It’s been fifteen minutes.”
“More than enough time.”
“Why the rush? Have something you’d rather be doing?”
You. “I have a surprise at home.”
“Oh.” She licks her lips. “I have one too.”
“Mine’s better.”
“We’ll see.”
After seeking out Kayla and Brendon again to let them know we’re leaving, Venus and I head out.
I tap my finger against the steering wheel as I drive.
She notices. “Are we going on a trip again?”
“No, this surprise is a little more personal.”
“So’s mine.” Again with that wicked grin. “I think you’ll like it.”
I suck in a deep breath. “I hope you like mine.”
I turn into the driveway. Get out. Open her door for her.
“This way.” I point to the garage and press a button.
The door rises.
I nudge her inside and flick a switch. Silver lights blink to life. Music plays from hidden stereos. And the paintings…
Venus gasps. “That’s…” She walks to the nearest one. Points. “That’s me.”
“Yes.” They all are.
Her heels click against the concrete.
