11. Amara
Amara
“New York!” Milly splashes water at Poppy. “You lucky bitch. It’s not fair. I want to go to New York.”
I dive into the cool water, letting it wash away the lingering heat from my encounter with Caleb. My arms and legs are outstretched as I glide through the pool toward Poppy and Milly at the far end.
I push out of the water, breaking the surface between them. “At least the Gold Coast has waves.”
“Please.” Milly waggles her eyebrows. “I can make my own waves anywhere.”
“You’re over Romeo then?” I adjust my bikini top.
Milly’s face falls. “Have you seen Romeo? Do you think I’ll ever get over him?”
“Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?” I gesture at her toned body. “You’re hardly going to die a spinster if looks are all it takes.”
Poppy kicks her legs in the water. “So Amara, who’s your perfect man?”
“Someone like Chris Hemsworth, but darker.” I trail my fingers through the water.
“He’s old,” Poppy says.
“He’s in his early forties, maybe.”
“Like I said, he’s old,” Poppy adds.
I shake my head. “And what type of man are you looking for?”
“I’m not,” Poppy says. “Dancing is all I want.”
“She’s not looking for a daddy like you!” Milly cackles.
“Total daddy issues.” Poppy joins in. “Should we call you baby girl?”
Their laughter echoes across the pool. My throat tightens and tears prick at my eyes. I blink them back, as I push myself so I’m on my back, focusing on the blue sky above.
Maybe they’re right. Maybe I do need someone older to feel loved, protected. Safe.
I remain floating on my back, letting the water cup my body, the gentle waves lapping at my ears. Caleb’s face drifts into my mind—his gentle touch, his knowing smile, the way his silver-gray eyes crinkle behind those black-rimmed glasses when he looks at me.
Then without warning, Dom’s piercing blue eyes appear, intense and searching, like they can see straight through to my soul.
No.
I turn until I’m standing in the pool and shake my head, sending ripples across the pool’s surface, droplets scattering like diamonds in the sunlight.
I can’t go there. Not now, not ever.
“You haven’t told me what happened with you and Con,” Milly says, swimming alongside me, her long pink hair fanning out in the water like a mermaid’s.
“I can’t tell you.” I step into the deep end and tread water, my legs working beneath the surface to keep me steady.
“Please.” Milly swims closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “I can keep a secret. Did you see him kill someone?” She giggles, the sound echoing off the water. “Just tell me. He’ll kill anyway once he can walk again.”
“Are you still feeling his balls on your knee?” I smirk, remembering how she’d gotten revenge on Mateo. “That was a risk on your behalf.”
She shrugs, water droplets rolling off her shoulders. “He shouldn’t mess with my sister.” Milly’s fierce protectiveness warms my heart, a reminder that despite everything, I’m not completely alone in this mess. “And Lia hates him, she’ll kill him if she finds out he threatened you.”
“I really should check on her.”
“I called her. She’s doing okay. The wound is healing.”
“Imagine being shot, though. She won’t be working for a while. Talking about Angels and Sinners. Are you going there on Saturday night?” I try to keep my voice casual, even though my heart races at the thought.
“No, visiting Dad. Leaving later today, actually.” Milly’s tone is light, but I can sense the underlying excitement of her plans.
I bite my lip, the taste of anxiety flooding my senses as I think of SweetJustice’s demands, wanting me at the club, and will probably watch me, making sure I try nothing stupid. Probably thinks I’m just waiting for the perfect moment to double-cross them.
“Can I use your membership card?” I ask, hoping to catch her off guard.
“Lia will kill me if she finds out.” Milly’s eyes widen in alarm, and I can see the gears turning in her mind.
“Lia won’t find out. She’s recuperating. Please!” I plead, my desperation creeping into my tone.
I only need to be in the club for long enough to see what unfolds. To do what has been asked of me and then my secret stays safe, and I can breathe again.
“Typical.” Poppy huffs beside us, clearly annoyed. “I’m stuck at my aunt’s all weekend. I’d love to go with you.” She glances at her waterproof watch. “And I should get ready now.”
I wait for Poppy to leave the pool area and turn to Milly, forcing a strained smile. “Just an hour, promise,” I insist, trying to sound convincing.
“But why?” Milly presses, her curiosity getting the better of her.
“Just need to get out of the house,” I say, taking a deep breath to steady myself.
“Tell me what happened with Con and I’ll give you my membership card, but make sure you wear my mask. If Rafe or Cade find out I gave it to you, they’ll sack me.”
I grin. “Fine, you want to know what happened?”
“All the sordid details.”
I swim to the side of the pool, facing the ocean. “I have to keep it a secret and so do you.”
She crosses her heart with her index finger.
“I caught Mateo and Enzo together.”
“Together…together?” Milly’s mouth drops open in surprise, her expression shifting from shock to amusement in an instant. “Like joined together?”
“Like joined together. Con’s dick was in Enzo’s mouth.”
Milly bursts out laughing. “And there was me thinking about using Enzo to get back at Romeo. I need to look butch for his tastes.”
I giggle. She knows how to make everything seem so normal.
There is mischief dancing in her eyes and she says, “But that’s hot. I’d like to watch that.”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I hiss.
“Back at ya. Two hot muscular bodies writhing on top of each other. You can’t tell me you don’t think that’s hot.”
“Nope.” I float back into the middle of the pool, trying to shake off Milly’s teasing. “You’re not seriously considering using Enzo for revenge? Are you?”
“I am.”
“What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing,” she says, flicking her head back like a diva. “If I get him in bed, I could take a selfie and send it to Romeo. You know, for science.”
I laugh despite myself. “For science? That’s a new one. Are you going to describe the different parts of his body?”
“Or better than in bed. I’ll get him in the pool.” Milly grins, leaning against the edge of the pool, kicking her legs. “Just imagine—Enzo’s tattooed abs glistening in the sun while I’m holding his waist, looking all hot and bothered.”
I scrunch my nose, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “That sounds...risky.”
“Risky?” She laughs loudly, splashing water at me again. “Girl, you’ve got Mateo Conti lurking around! That’s risky!”
My stomach knots at the thought of Con and Enzo together. “It’s not like I want anything to do with Con.”
“Maybe he likes you and that’s why he reacted the way he did. Because you saw him.”
“He hates me.”
Milly raises an eyebrow. “Sure about that? He practically cornered you at the party.” She leans closer, eyes sparkling with mischief. “You know what I’d do if he came after me? I’d show him who’s boss.”
“Milly!” My face feels hotter than the sun beating down on us. “And how do you plan to do that?”
“With my body,” she winks at me. “The more daring, the better! I’d leave him on the floor begging at my feet. I’d show him who he’s dealing with.”
“And you’re forgetting who he is.”
“He’s mafia, not god!”
“Both untouchable.” I roll my eyes but can’t hide my grin.
She smirks and leans back against the edge again. “Forget about Con anyway; Dom’s in the house. He won’t let anyone touch you.”
I shoot her a look. “Dom won’t let anyone touch me. What makes you think that?”
“Duh! He’s like a protective bear with a soft spot for you,” she replies, flicking water at me again. “You’re practically his daughter.”
I sigh, dragging my fingers through my wet hair as unease settles in my stomach. “But I’m not, and Con is Antonio’s son—I’m just a Bailey.”
“So what?” Milly shrugs as if it doesn’t matter at all.
“So everything!” My voice rises slightly before I rein it in.
Poppy comes sprinting back fully dressed, her wet hair pulled back into a tight bun and looking every bit the dancer she is as she stands at the edge of the pool.
“Amara! Can you drive me home?” she asks breathlessly.
“What time is it?” Milly asks. “I need to get dressed too—gotta make sure I look hot enough for this drive to Brisbane before traffic builds up.”
“In case you get stopped by the police?”
“You never know where you’ll meet your future husband.”
I shake my head. I really wish I had her personality. She’s all bravado and balls. “Are you popping in to see Helena while you’re up there?” I ask.
Milly bursts into laughter. “She just left! I think I can survive another few weeks without seeing her!”
“Will you still be here when I get back from Poppy’s home?” I ask Milly as she wraps a towel around herself.
“I don’t know. I’m heading out in an hour. Gotta beat the traffic.” Milly pulls Poppy into a tight hug. “Well done again.”
She turns to me next, her arms wrapping around my shoulders. I breathe in the scent of chlorine and coconut shampoo.
“Be careful on the road,” I whisper into her hair.
“Right back at ya, sis.” She squeezes tighter.
“Love you,” I say, my voice catching slightly.
“Love you too.” Milly pulls back, adjusting her towel. “But I need to get ready. Dad’s waiting.”
I watch her disappear into the house before turning to Poppy.
“Come on.”
Minutes later, we climb into my Audi, the leather seats still warm from the sun.
“I can’t believe I won’t see you every day soon,” Poppy says as I pull out of the driveway. “Who’s going to be my partner in crime?”
My throat tightens. I focus on the road ahead, trying to keep my voice steady. “You’ll make new friends.”
“But there’ll be nobody like you.”
I turn to her. “You could always stay.”
She gives me a tight smile. I know what it means.
After dropping Poppy off, I let the tears fall freely as I drive home.
I need to concentrate.
The steering wheel blurs in front of me and I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand.
Back home, I strip off my sundress and dive straight into the pool. The water embraces me like an old friend, but it does nothing to fill the emptiness growing inside my chest.
I turn and float on my back, staring at the cloudless sky.
The house is quiet.
Too quiet.
Milly’s gone.
Mom’s gone.
Poppy’s leaving soon.
The loneliness hits me like a punch to my gut as the pain presses down on my chest until I can barely breathe.