by Zoë Lane
The image of my mother’s face came to mind. Lying in a hospital bed, emaciated from the cancer. She’d told me I had to be brave. No matter what, when the night was at its darkest, I had to be brave. Only then would I be standing when the light returned.
When had I forgotten those words? They were some of the last she had ever spoken to me. Mrs. Langetti’s had echoed hers. If I wanted something—or someone—I had to have enough courage to go after it.
Or him.
“Okay. Okay, I’m ready,” I said quietly.
The attorney smiled. “Good. Let’s get started.”
The attorney spent the next hour detailing what I should expect, and what he would need from me throughout the course of the investigation. I would have to speak to the police about the money Diego had taken from my account. Nico had already tasked the attorney with hiring a financial investigator as a consultant.
The team had returned late last night and were in postgame meetings all morning. When had he had time to arrange everything?
“Well,” Siobhan started as we sat in the cafeteria eating lunch, “if that isn’t proof he likes you, then I don’t know what is. He arranged everything?”
“Everything.” I picked up my sandwich and stared at my empty left ring finger. I missed that ring. Even more, I missed Nico. I even missed his mother, who I hadn’t had the courage to speak to since she’d left. I figured it wasn’t my place. After the lie I’d told, I wouldn’t ever speak to me again. She’d been more than gracious at handling the truth, but my fake relationship with her son was over—and so was her relationship with her fake future daughter-in-law.
“How are you going to thank him?” Siobhan wagged her brows once.
“With my words,” I said evenly. I had refused him when he’d wanted so badly to help. Why would he want me now? He’d probably think I was trying to pay him back for the attorney—and he hadn’t asked for a thing.
“Ugh, boring.”
I chuckled. “We weren’t actually in a relationship, contrary to your belief. He wouldn’t be expecting anything more from me.”
“Um, after all he’s done and paid for? I’d doubt it.”
“Nico’s not that type of guy. He’s generous. Too generous if you ask me. I never should’ve been his fake fiancée.” I bit into my ham and cheese sandwich and slowly chewed.
I never should’ve been his fake fiancée because I was going to fall for him—and we…we just couldn’t be together.
My phone buzzed with a text. “It’s from Nico’s attorney,” I said while reading the message.
“Well, at least you and he are on the same page about Diego. He should pay.”
“And he’s going to,” I breathed, my heart pounding in my chest. “He’s been arrested.”
“Good! It’s about damn time. What else?”
“I’ve gotta go.” I stood, my thoughts centered on one person.
“Why? Please tell me you’re not planning on visiting him in jail.”
I gave her an annoyed look. “No. I’m going to see Teresa.”
She harrumphed. “Teresa? After the way she treated you? I could care less about her.”
“I saw the photographs and video, Siobhan.”
“Photographs? What video are you talking about?”
“The ones with her and Diego. He was beating her too.”
23
VERONICA
I left Siobhan with her shocked expression, and thirty minutes later, pulled in front of my old apartment building. I looked around for the security guard. Seeing no one in sight, I wheeled up to the door and knocked.
Teresa answered, looking far less done up than I’d seen her. Her left eye was completely black with bruising, and her bottom lip busted. Her one good eye and nose were red, and she held a tissue in her hand.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
I swallowed to loosen my throat and I found my voice. “I had heard Diego was arrested and I came to—”
“To get your stuff?” she sneered. She opened the door wide. “Fine. Come in and get your things. I don’t need them anyway.”
I shook my head. “I came to see you, Teresa.”
Her brows came together slowly. “You came to see me?”
“I…my attorney hired a private investigator who…” My gaze caught a person coming up the walkway with arms full of groceries. “Can we talk inside, please?”
She moved to the side and I wheeled into a familiar home, now redecorated in a style I attributed to Teresa. Lots of bright pinks, blues, and greens, from the cushions to artwork on the walls. She even had beads hanging down in the hallway entryway. I took a seat on the cream-colored leather couch I had helped pick out with Diego when we moved into the apartment.
I took a deep breath. “My attorney hired a private investigator to follow Diego and make a case against him for assault.”
She snorted. “You wasted your money. Look at my face! I could’ve told you he assaults people.”
“I know. My leg’s broken because of him, and I have to wear this neck brace.” I pointed to my neck.
Teresa laughed hard. I joined her. “Aren’t we a couple of idiots?”
I had certainly felt like one since he’d left and taken all my money. Had I not been so desperate for the high I’d gotten by being with a charismatic, slightly dangerous guy, I’d still have all my money, two good legs, and I probably would’ve been lying on a beach sipping mojitos right about now.
But I wouldn’t have met Nico.
Silver linings…
“My attorney showed me photographs…” I thought of the one of Teresa midfall. “And video of the two of you fighting. I knew I had to do something if he was going to hurt you.”
Her good eye filled with moisture. “Why would you help me after what I did to you?”
I held her gaze. “Because it’s the right thing to do. And Diego deserves to pay for what he did to both of us,” I said firmly.
Tears slipped down Teresa’s cheeks. “I called the cops on him. Had him arrested last night.”
“That’s when this”—I pointed to her lip—“happened?”
She nodded. “I didn’t think he’d stop. He said he was going to kill me. I locked myself in the bathroom until the cops arrived.”
“Are you going to press charges? Because I am. I’m not afraid of him—not anymore.”
Teresa laughed derisively. “It’s because you have a strong football player boyfriend.”
I shook my head. “No. No, I don’t. We’re…not together. He’s just a good-hearted guy who’s doing me a favor.” More than a favor. I owed him so much and there was no way I could repay him.
Teresa wiped her eye and sniffed. She looked down at her feet. I waited for her to speak. “I don’t know,” she said quietly.
I understood exactly how she felt. I’d been there a few days ago. I’d been thinking about myself and my own safety. If I had thought about others—about Teresa—I might’ve been able to stop all of this. “This is my fault,” I said quietly. “I should’ve had him arrested a long time ago.”
Teresa shook her head. “I don’t blame you. I knew what I was getting myself into. Heard he was dangerous. Thought it was sexy. Thought I was better than you for stealing him away. Wasn’t worth it. But…I don’t know what to do now.”
“Let me ask my attorney. Maybe we can help. At least, don’t bail Diego out of jail. He could go anywhere with all the money he took from my account.”
Teresa frowned. “We spent most of it already. On stuff. And he took some to pay off some debt he owed to a doctor.”
“A doctor?”
“I don’t know who.”
Frustration built toward the broken woman sitting across the room from me. All that money…all the time I’d spent earning that money. The long hours in the ER. What right did she have to think she could spend my money, or that Diego could steal it? Yes, the money was for our vacation, but he broke up with me—and took every last cent.
“I’m sorry,
” she said, fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m sorry about the money. I know it wasn’t right, but…but I wanted him. We’d been sleeping together for a couple of months now and…and I wanted to be number one. If he was really in love with you, then he wouldn’t have been with me.”
True. So true.
“And since he was with me, I thought…” She looked away.
I knew exactly what she didn’t have the courage to say it out loud. “You thought you were going to be the one to change him. To make him stay. That he wouldn’t do the same to you.”
She nodded without meeting my eyes.
“You and me both,” I said quietly.
“A leopard doesn’t change his spots.”
In this case, a jackass.
“You were right about him. I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t deserve this and neither did you,” she said softly.
“Thank you for saying that.”
After a few more moments of silence, she asked, “Do you want to get any of your things? I swear I haven’t touched your clothes. Thought I was better than you and didn’t need your stuff. I put your clothes in a trash bag and stuffed it at the back of the closet. Let me get it.” She rushed out of the room.
What I really wanted was the one man that had proven he wasn’t like Diego. I wanted to see Nico.
I wanted Nico. But did he want me? I wouldn’t know unless I asked.
I stood, intent on getting out of there as soon as she handed me my bag of clothes. I pulled out my phone and sent Nico a text, asking to see him. After a minute and no answer, I thought of all the reasons why he wasn’t answering right away.
Basically, I was going crazy.
I took a deep breath. He could be anywhere, doing anything.
And I refused to think he could be doing anyone.
“Here’s the bag.” I took the black bag from Teresa. “You can come by for the furniture tomorrow if you want. I’m supposed to go back to the police station and talk to the detective. I can leave you a key if you want.”
I nodded. “Sure, thanks. I appreciate it.”
She looked at my leg. “I’m really sorry that happened to you. I told him he was stupid for doing that to you and that there were probably cameras everywhere recording him. That’s when he started hitting me, and telling me that there weren’t cameras in here.”
I put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You were right. It was stupid. And I was almost a bigger dummy for not wanting to press charges.” I looked her in the eyes. “You’re not going to change your mind, are you?”
She shook her head. “You see this eye?” She pointed at her black eye. “Yeah. Swollen shut. He’s going to prison. I’m going to make sure of it.”
She helped me put the heavy bag into my car and we shared a hug.
Still no text from Nico.
I knew where he lived. I just hoped he was home alone.
24
VERONICA
I inhaled and slowly exhaled before I knocked on Nico’s door.
An hour later and still no text.
I had panicked in the elevator, sweating profusely and fidgeting as much as I could on my scooter. It wouldn’t be soon enough for me it to be walking again.
I bit my lip. No sounds came from the other side. I knocked again. I checked my screen for a reply to my message.
Nothing.
Tears threatened to completely obscure my vision. If I wasn’t so desperate for him right now, I could tell myself I was doing the wrong thing chasing after a man who didn’t want me. I’d been a fool for long enough. I didn’t want to be one anymore.
“Vero?”
I almost snapped my neck turning it too quickly. I grunted as discomfort shot up my neck and into my head. I adjusted the neck brace to fit more snuggly.
“Don’t! Don’t hurt yourself. It’s just me.”
It’s just me…
No, it wasn’t. It was the man I wanted to see, to hold, to kiss. The man that had supported me and fought for me. The one who looked at me and didn’t see a woman he couldn’t trust, but one he had wanted to care for.
Did he still feel that way?
“Nico…”
“Let’s go inside. I just got your text and was literally going to tell you not to come over. That I would meet you at Casper’s. I just had to get something first.”
He opened the door and I scooted through. He came around me, grinning awkwardly. His dark eyes searched mine. They looked as anxious as I felt.
“Hi,” he said softly.
“Hi,” I whispered.
“I feel like it’s been forever since we’ve seen each other.”
I nodded. “Me too. I’m sorry about that—”
“No, it’s my fault.” He rested his hands on the handlebar of my scooter. “I…I thought you didn’t want to see me, so I stayed away.”
The same lie I had told myself. “I thought it would be easier if we didn’t see each other.”
He chuckled. “Easier for who? You? It definitely wasn’t easy for me.” His hands cradled the sides of my neck brace and we both laughed. His hands remained. “I missed you…I can still smell your shampoo on my pillows.”
“I can still feel your arms around me when I go to sleep.”
He stepped closer, his foot hitting the front wheel of my scooter. His gaze dropped to the scooter and he grimaced. “I want to put my arms around you now, but this damn thing…”
I laughed. I maneuvered off it and he swooped me up into his arms before I lost my balance. “That’s better,” he whispered. His pressed his lips softly to mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He felt warm, his strong arms holding me like I weighed nothing. His lips reminded me of his mother’s rolls, sweet and delicious.
“I…I thought this was all fake,” I said against his lips. I kissed him again, relishing the feel of them against mine.
“It’s real for me.”
“It’s real for me, too.”
“So will you stay here with me? Be my real girlfriend?”
I giggled against his lips and then kissed him softly. “You actually want to try this out? Haven’t I caused you enough trouble?”
He sat down on his couch and positioned me on his lap. “Not exactly,” he said with a grin. “Nothing I can’t handle.” His gaze turned sad. He rested a hand on my cast. “I’m the one who has caused you trouble.” His intense, fervent gaze met mine. “Veronica, please forgive me. I’ve hated myself all this time. I…I’m so sorry.”
“Shh…” I pressed my mouth to his. “You’re not to blame. Diego is. And he’s going to pay, thanks to you. I saw the attorney today.”
“Yeah, he told me. Said you were convinced after seeing the photographs and video of Teresa’s beatings.”
I frowned. “I went to see her today. She had a black eye and a busted lip. She’s going to press charges though. I think she’s angrier than I am.”
His eyes widened. “Good. I heard he was arrested.”
“For hitting her, yes.”
His expression darkened. “He’ll go to jail. I’ll see to that. Then, you’ll get your money and—”
“Teresa said they spent it all.”
“What?” he exclaimed.
“I’m not going to see any money from him. But I’m okay with that.”
“’Cause you have a new sugar daddy?” He wagged his brows.
He squeezed my rear and I squealed, not expecting that contact. I playfully slapped his chest. “No. You know I don’t want your money.”
He grinned. “No, but you’ve already cost me an engagement ring and a wedding dress. I might just have to marry you to reap a return on my investment.” He winked.
He pulled me in and kissed me so thoroughly, I’d have said yes to anything he proposed.
“I’ll pay you back,” I said between kisses. “You know I will.”
“Mm-hmm. In kisses,” he agreed.
“Nico—”
He pulle
d back, his eyes serious. “I won’t take no for an answer.”
“You’re stubborn like your mother.”
He grinned widely. “My Mamma is going to love the fact that we’re together. She’s been hounding me for days to win you back. She thought you might not go after what you wanted.”
His eyes teased me, but his mother was almost right. As I stared at the handsome man holding me lovingly in his lap, I was never more grateful that she had been wrong about me.
I kissed him sweetly, my lips lingering. “You think she’ll believe us?”
“We can have her back over and try and convince her.”
I leaned back and laughed. “I gained over five pounds when she was here. We can not have her back so soon. I can’t walk so I’m not getting any exercise. I’ll be fat in a day.”
He squeezed me tighter. “I love curvy girls, remember? You’ll still be beautiful.”
I cupped his face. “I want you to know that I’m not the same woman who first met Diego. I don’t want anyone but you.”
He took my hands in his and kissed my fingertips. “I believe you, baby.”
I sighed in relief, his words and the look of love in his eyes relaxing the hyperactivity of my heart and eliminating my fears. I could start fresh—no lies or guilt.
“And I want you to know”—he stroked the side of my cheek with his knuckles—“that there isn’t another woman I want, or have ever wanted, more than you.”
My heart fluttered with love I’d never felt before. “Nico…” I brushed my lips across his.
“I may have a reputation, but I typically spend most nights curled up on my couch watching Netflix.”
I laughed, remembering him on the couch my first night in his condo. He’d been so cute and I think I wanted him even then.
He grunted and looked frustrated, his eyes on my neck. “This damn neck brace.”
“I’ll remove it.” My fingers went to unlatch the straps.
“No! I don’t want anything else broken. Keep it on. Heal. Let me handle how to get to your mouth.” His eyes turned devilish. “I like a challenge.”
He dipped me slightly and I let out a yelp. Then his mouth descended on mine. When our lips parted, he hoisted me up.
