Page 101 of The Bitter Words

“I’m not taking it. Not tonight.”

“You know I have ways of getting you to ingest it one way or another.” He waves me off. “Let’s not have this spat now. That’s not the point.”

“Then what is?” My heart thunders, about to burst out of my chest. “If you’re not here to get me to…”

“Admit you know Livianna is going to be here.”

There’s no way I’m doing that and putting her in danger. “I can’t because I don’t know. If she’s planning on surprising me, I know nothing about it.”

“Cash, you disappoint me.”

“Whatever. Just say whatever it is you need and let me go celebrate with my mates.”

“Since you refuse to acknowledge her plans, I’ll let you in on the secret. She’s landing early in the morning. Go along with Zara’s punishment and neither you nor Livianna will need to take Floating V. Not this time, anyway.”

“Great. Tell me what I need to do and I’ll do it. What does Zara want from me?”

“Understand what I’m saying, Cash. What you’re going to do is in all of our best interests.” Leon nods once, telling me I should agree or else I won’t like the consequences.

“I got it, Leon. Just tell me what I have to do.”

“Livianna destroyed Zara’s acting career, and it’s time Livianna pays and learns just how devastating that decision was.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

LIVIANNA/LILY

Then

Sugar-Laced Lingerie & Satin Sheets Still Warm

The room breathes slow and sweet like passion right before reality bites down.

“Livianna Hemings?” a guy wearing a tux and black cap, holding up a sign with my name on it, asks.

He’s standing at the opening of the terminal where I’m getting ready to enter to go to baggage claim. A smile grows wide across my face. This has Bren’s sweet signature all over it.

“Yes, I’m Livianna Hemings.”

“Your hat and sunglasses almost made it difficult to know who you were, but I was warned you would probably be wearing something to hide yourself.” He shakes my hand. “Welcome. I’m here to collect you and take you to the hotel.”

“Great. Did Bren arrange for me to be picked up?”

“Yes, he did.” The guy gestures to the bag area. “When your luggage comes out, tell me and I’ll retrieve it for you.”

“Thanks. It won’t be hard to spot considering it’s five o’clock in the morning and I was about the only one on theflight.” I peek around the nearly empty airport. “It seems nobody travels this early.”

“It’s rare for it to be this slow.” He steps closer to the baggage carousel. “What color is your suitcase?”

“It’s a black Gucci bag with a black-and-red stripe in the middle.”

“I know just the style.” He waits for it to drop onto the metal space before us. “Is that it?”

I search for my red tag on the handle. “It is.”

We gather my belongings and head straight to the hotel. My stomach fills with butterflies and my entire body grows light. I’m so excited to surprise Callum, I can hardly sit still.

We arrive at the hotel, I get my luggage, tip the guy, and strut to the front desk. I remove my glasses and wait for the concierge.