“Are you telling me he made you do that? That’s rape, Annika.” Ivie scowls.
“I guess I had a choice. I could either agree to it, or he would punish me for days if I said no. Sometimes, the punishment was worse than just going along with him. I had no idea that I was being recorded.”
I pace over to the windows and look out across the green, manicured grounds of the estate. The cleanup crew is here, disassembling the gorgeous wedding that took several months to plan.
“Someday, we’re going to unpack all of this baggage that Dick brought into your life,” Nadia says. “And the carry-on luggage that I carry because Alex had a hand in it.”
“We all need therapy,” Ivie adds and takes a sip of her coffee. “We’re some fucked-up people.”
“I think we’re pretty great,” I say, watching my best friends fuss over me. “We may be fucked-up in some ways, but we’re awesome in plenty of others.”
“Hell yes, we are,” Nadia agrees. “Do you think it’s smart to go back to Denver right now? We could all stay here for a little longer. It’s safer. I don’t like the thought of you being in that big house alone when these assholes are out there carrying a grudge.”
“I’m selling the house,” I announce. “It goes on the market next week. I don’t want to live there. Too many memories.”
I won’t even get into the fact that one of the photos in that awful envelope was taken in my basement.
“I think that’s a good idea,” Ivie says. “It’s a lot of house for one person anyway.”
“I think I want a condo. Downtown. Something close to restaurants and shopping.”
“Sounds perfect to me,” Nadia says. “You know I love house hunting, so if you want help looking, I’m your girl.”
“Count me in,” Ivie agrees. “Okay, I have to go work my computer skills for my fiancé. He thinks I’m hot when I’m typing away at a keyboard. Maybe I’ll wear something sexy, just to make things fun.”
I laugh and reach for another donut. “Keep us posted. And maybe call a doctor because I’m pretty sure we’re about to put ourselves into sugar shock with all of these donuts.”
“We’ll have a salad for lunch.” Ivie winks and leaves the room, closing the door behind her.
“Nadia,” I say when we’re alone. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into going on your honeymoon today as planned?”
“You’re stuck with me,” she says. “Someone is trying to hurt someone I love, A. What would you do?”
“The same thing,” I admit. “I’d do the same damn thing.”
“Exactly. So, stop worrying about me. We’ll get it all figured out, bust some kneecaps, send someone swimming with the fishes, and be on our way.”
I can’t help the snort of laughter that escapes at that descriptive image. “You’re such a mobster.”
“Thanks.” Nadia winks. “I have to warn you. If we can’t resolve this soon, we’re going to have to bring in my father.”
I shake my head, but Nadia keeps talking.
“He’ll be beyond pissed if we keep something big like this from him. I wanted to warn you because he’ll want to see the photos.”
“Jesus, Nadia, I don’t want him to see that. I don’t want anyone to see it.” The tears start again. “It’s so humiliating. Please, don’t tell him.”
“I won’t. Yet. We might have this all resolved by tomorrow morning.”
“I hope so.”
Nadia pulls me in for a tight hug. “You’re an amazing woman, A. You’ve been through hell and back, and yet you’re thriving. I’m proud of you.”
“Stop making me cry.”
She laughs and kisses my cheek before pulling away. “Okay, no more being mushy. Take the day to rest. Nap. Work. Whatever. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thanks.”
“You have to get out of this bed.”
I shift under the covers and crack an eye to find Ivie frowning down at me.
“Why?”
“Because it’s been two days, and you’ve barely moved.”
I know I’m being a coward. Weak. I should be facing this head-on, the way Ivie or Nadia would. But, damn it, I’m just so tired.
“Sleepy.”
“Honey, you’re starting to smell bad.”
I crack that eye again and scowl at my best friend. “Thanks.”
“Come on. Up. In the shower. I have dinner here for you, but you can’t have it until you scrub up. And for the love of all that’s holy, brush your teeth.”
“You’re really good for my ego, you know that? So much for being my best friend. I might replace you.”
“Uh-huh. Right. Get in there.”
She pulls me to my feet and pushes me toward the bathroom. “I’m going. God, you’re bossy.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet, sister.”
“Being in love has made you sassy, and I don’t know if I like it.”
“You love me. Now, go.”
She closes the door behind me, and I take a second to stare at my reflection in the mirror.
She’s right. This is ridiculous. And I look like hell.
So, I take my time in the shower, shave all the places I’ve neglected, and then brush my teeth.
When I open the bathroom door, she’s set up a tray by the window, complete with a red rose in a bud vase.
“Are we on a date?” I ask her.
“Eating on a pretty table will make you feel better. It’s a chicken Caeser salad with lemon on the side and a chocolate torte for dessert.”
“My favorite.” I sink into the chair, and my stomach growls loudly. “I’m hungry.”
“I bet you are. You’ve hardly eaten anything since the donuts yesterday.”
I take a big bite of salad and frown at Ivie. “Are you keeping track?”
“Hell, yes, I am. Someone has to. After dinner, we’re having a meeting with the others.”
That means I’ll have to see Rafe.
And that makes me nervous under the best of circumstances. With things the way they currently are, it almost makes me lose my appetite.
“Eat.”
“You know, the whole hovering and shoving food into my mouth thing isn’t a good look for you.”
“That’s okay,” she says smoothly. “You look better.”
The salad is delicious. I can’t stop shoveling it in.
“I’m feeling better.” When the plate is empty, I shift to the chocolate and sigh in delight after the first bite. “Oh, God.”
“I know, right? So good.”
“You ate it, too?”
“Yes, we already had dinner. We invited you, but you didn’t answer.”
I sigh and lick the spoon. “I slept a lot. Sleep has always been my escape from bad things.”
“I know.”
“And it’s time to wake up and face this.” I sit back and sigh, contentedly full. “Okay, lead the way to the meeting.”
Ivie raises a brow. “Are you going to wear that?”