Chapter 54
Fifty-Four
LULU
“Okay, this is the best day ever,” I say as Scarlett and I leave Dior, headed for Chanel. “I only feel a little guilty for spending more than ten grand in there.”
“You still have a long way to go to hit your goal. You want lots of orgasms this week, and I don’t think your man was bluffing. But don’t worry. We’ll get there.”
I smirk at my bestie and see a spot to get some gelato. “Want some?”
“Yes, but I also have to pee. Will you get me a scoop of the coffee, and I’ll be right back?”
“Of course.”
Scarlett walks away with her two guards right behind her toward the restroom, and I get in line to buy us each a sweet treat.
Shopping requires calories. I haven’t mastered the art of making gelato myself. Maybe that’s something I should work on. I am Italian, after all. I should know how to make it.
I glance back and only see one of my guards, but then I don’t think much of it. I’m sure they have to use the bathroom sometimes.
I pull my phone out, skim through the text messages that Rome and I exchanged, and feel the giddy grin spread over my face again.
Things have been ridiculously good since the night we said the L word just a couple of days ago.
Like, the happily ever after of a rom-com movie good.
He loves me. He’s going to protect me from all of the shit my father might try, and I’m totally safe with Rome.
My job is the bomb. I have friends, and I’m learning so much from Mateo and Carson.
Even Julian got in on the training action and offered to teach us how to hack electronics.
I don’t know why we might ever need that information, but I’m a sponge.
I’ll learn whatever the Kings of Vegas want to teach us.
“I thought that was you.”
I turn at the voice, then feel shock roll through me, and every hair on my body stands on end.
“The new line at Dior is to die for,” Loveland continues, gesturing to the bag in my hands with a smile on her perfect face.
She’s in jeans, a sweatshirt, and sneakers, which throws me off further.
I’ve never seen her so dressed down, not looking like a runway model. “Did you find some good things?”
“Uh, yeah. Sorry, this is a surprise.”
“I know, I had to come say hello when I saw you over here. How are things at Rapture?”
I tilt my head to the side. I know Loveland was fired, but I have no idea why. Is it a betrayal against Rome to chat with her? Should I text him and let him know I’m talking to her?
That’s silly. She’s just an acquaintance who happens to be shopping at the same time as me.
Except she’s not even carrying a handbag.
Something isn’t right here.
“Things are pretty much the same as ever,” I reply, staying neutral. This is so uncomfortable. I wish Scarlett would come back from the bathroom. “It’s been busy.”
“That’s good,” she says with a knowing nod. “Rita treating you right in the lounge?”
What is her angle? Loveland has never taken the time to have a conversation with me.
“Rita’s always great.”
Not in the mood for gelato anymore, I slip out of line and look around for my guards. I still only see one, and he’s not even looking in our direction.
Where is the other one?
And where is Scarlett? How long does it take that woman to pee?
“You know,” Loveland says, not seeming to be at all interested in moving on, “I could use your thoughts on the cutest Fendi bag I saw over here.”
“Oh, I really can’t. I’m with a friend, and—”
Her hand reaches out for my arm, and before I can move away from her, I feel the bite in my skin. I blink in confusion and realize that she just fucking drugged me.
“Your friend isn’t going to help you,” she says with a bright smile as she links her arm in mine and starts walking toward an exit as if we’re old friends shopping together.
It’s getting harder and harder for my feet to move, and by the time we make it out of the doors to the valet parking, I’m stumbling. “Just a few more feet.”
Suddenly, I’m picked up from behind and tossed in the back of a waiting SUV. I want to fight, to roll out before the back closes on me, but my muscles won’t work.
And then everything goes dark.