Page 157 of High Reward

I press my palm flat against his bare skin, and allow myself to be lulled by the slow and steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

There are things racing through my mind that I could tell him, things I could say to fill the silence. I could assure him we’ll be okay. Even though I’m not feeling it right now. I could tell him how scared I am that she won’t come back, but I know that’s just the fear talking, and I won’t let fear control me anymore. She’ll be back. I could tell him how grateful I am that he’s in my life, supporting me through this. That I find solace in the little things, like the way he held my hand on the drive home. But none of it feels necessary. The silence feels right. So I don’t say any of it.

I just lay there with my hand over his heartbeat and let the quiet and darkness of the room surround us. The heaviness inmy heart is still there, but letting him hold me like this is enough to lighten the load. At least for tonight.

And I know we’ll face tomorrow together too.

Chapter 42

Victor

Four Months Later

“Thisisn’tright,”Gracesays as she uses a box cutter to open another box of books.

“Something wrong with the order?” I ask, stepping up behind her with the inventory list on a clipboard.

She blinks. “What? No. I’m saying that Lili not being here for this isn’t right. I miss her.”

My heart twists just a little, and I pluck the knife from her fingers and set it aside so I can turn her to face me. “I miss her too, butterfly. But we have to honor her request for space. She has a lot to figure out before she can rebuild her life.”

“Do you know where she is?”

I nod. “I’m keeping an eye on her from afar. She’s in Rhode Island”

That seems to make her relax a little, even brings a smile to her lips, and I wonder what that’s about. But she turns back to the stack of boxes books before I can ask. “I can’t believe this is really happening,” she murmurs as she pulls her own work from underneath the packing paper protecting the books.

I take it from her and turn it over in my hand. “It’s gorgeous, Grace. You should be so very proud.”

“I am, Sir,” she whispers. “I just wish we had everything else tied up in a neat little bow.”

She’s referring to Kara Lindon. It’s been months since the last flower delivery, and since then she’s been eerily quiet. We know she’s still alive, but she’s covered her tracks, and doesn’t seem to be coming for Grace anymore. Still, with the way this opening is being publicized by Trinity Novak and her team, I’m keeping a close eye on Kara’s activity. I don’t trust her not to try something. We don’t have enough evidence to take to police and walk away from the matter, so we’ve kept it to ourselves for now.

But I don’t say any of that out loud. If she wants to talk about it, I will, but I’m still hesitant to put added stress on her when I don’t have to.

We spend the rest of the day unpacking boxes and arranging them on the bookshelves in the freshly painted and remodeled storefront.

Suddenly, I hear a loud squeal from the back room.

“What’s wrong?” I rush toward the sound, hand poised to draw my weapon if needed. But she comes barrelling out into the store holding up a neon sign. I had been wondering all day when she was going to make it to opening that particular box. I’d snuck it into the stack first thing this morning without her noticing.

“Victor, it’s fucking perfect!”

The delicate purple neon letters twist in gorgeous calligraphy to spell out the name of the shop. The Butterfly Effect.

A small swarm of butterflies finish the piece. I take it gently from her hands before she breaks it in her excitement, and set it on the counter in front of the cash register then scoop her into my arms and kiss her hard. “Thank you for letting me contribute the name.”

“How could I not take your suggestion. It’s the perfect name for my bookstore.”

She sighs and spins around the room taking in the shelves that are slowly coming together. “My own bookstore. I can’t believe it.”

Then she’s hugging me again. I laugh and lift her off the ground enough to spin her once then plant her back on the ground with a solid kiss.

“You should go over to the club and start getting ready for tonight.”

I pat her ass as she slips into the back room to take the winding passageway through the back rooms of the shops to get to the club.

I don’t follow her right away.