Chapter 118

Vivian

I stared at the glowing screen, heart thudding with anticipation as I dialed his number. The second ring barely had a chance to vibrate before a familiar, gravelly voice answered.

“Vivian.” His tone held no surprise, but it was heavy with disappointment.

I smiled, letting my voice dip into a contrite purr. “You sound upset. I thought you’d be proud. I made quite the spectacle.”

“You got caught,” he snapped. “I thought I taught you better than that. You were supposed to be careful. Subtle.”

I sank into the plush chair in the corner of the lobby, watching people go in and out of the event. Crossing one leg over the other, I traced a manicured nail along my knee.

“Maybe I wanted to get caught,” I said, teasing. “Maybe I like it when you punish me.”

Silence stretched, then his voice dropped, hungry. “There’s a party tonight. Not the one you were planning to crash. My event. Private. Discreet. You’ll need something decent to wear.”

My heart lifted like a bird in flight. This was it: my lifeline.

“You’ll take care of me again?” I asked, voice soft. “Like you used to?”

He chuckled darkly. “As long as you remember who’s in charge this time. And as long as you keep your mouth shut. You know what’ll happen if our arrangement gets out.”

I laughed quietly. “I still have the receipts, darling."

I didn't, because I never thought that I would have to ever use them, but I knew how to get them at least, and the threat was enough

“ As do I.,” he countered smoothly. “You were greedy, Vivian. You always overplayed your hand.”

I exhaled slowly. It was a dance of knives, but we were both too deeply embedded to back out now.

“I’ll be there,” I whispered.

After we hung up, I left the building, hating that he knew me so well. I thought back to all of my clothes, but none of it would do. I had been seen in it all and I was trying to make an impression.

So I took my remaining money and spent it all on a single, stunning gown. Deep sapphire with a plunging neckline and a slit high enough to draw any eye. I paired it with heels that made me feel tall again. Worthy.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror of my rented bathroom, painting my lips in crimson.

“I’ll claw my way back,” I told the girl in the mirror. “Starting tonight.”

Then I left, heading to the party. The worst that would happen was that I'd have to sleep with Tyler's father again, and that wasn't really a chore. So long as he gave me the money that I needed. And he would, unless he wanted it to get out that he'd been screwing me since before it was legal.

Before I knew it, I was at the address you sent me. As expected, the party was a monument to excess: gold-trimmed walls, crystal glasses, music so soft it made you lean in. Just like he liked it. Manipulation wrapped in civility. I swept through the doors feeling like a queen returning to her throne. How long has it been since I've been to a party like this? Tyler’s father spotted me before I reached the bar. He was already watching, drink in hand, eyes glinting like polished obsidian.

“Vivian,” he said, voice oily with delight. “You’re always a sight.”

I dipped into a mock curtsy, my heart hammering. “And you’re always predictable.”

We laughed together, old conspirators bound by secrets and sin. Then, we slipped into the shadows after a few obligatory greetings, our voices dropping.

“I assume you’re not just here to reminisce,” he said, trailing a finger along the rim of his glass. “You’ve got a plan.”

“I want my life back,” I said flatly.

“You’re a liability right now, Vivian.”

“You’re a coward and a criminal.”

He leaned forward, smile gone. “You were supposed to keep Tyler in line.”

“And you were supposed to make sure he was too broken for it to be a hardship,” I said sweetly.

Silence.

Then, slowly, his grin returned.

“I missed you,” he said.

“I know.”

Renee

I woke to warmth, the scent of Dominic's cologne clinging to the sheets like a lullaby. My eyes fluttered open, and for a disorienting second, I couldn’t tell where I was.

Then I felt the weight of Dominic’s arm draped over my waist, his chest rising and falling steadily against my back. I was curled into him, like we were puzzle pieces that had finally clicked into place.

It wasn’t a dream.

I took a deep breath, but it only made my heart race. Everything smelled like him. I wonder what it was like to wake up like this every morning. I wondered if that was more of a possibility considering everything that was happening.

The door creaked open, and I turned my head just in time to see Neil walk in, half-naked and glistening from a shower, a towel slung low on his hips. His skin still steamed, and water dripped from his hair, tracing rivulets down his chest.

By the goddess, he was beautiful.

I stared. Unable to look away. My mouth's going dry. I had never seen him anywhere near shirtless before, and here he was. A towel away from naked.

I knew that he was tall and broad, but I'd never imagined that he was so well built. Thinking back to my past life, married to Tyler, I could see why he was so insecure about Neil. Even in the future, Tyler never got that big. That muscled, that defined. He didn't turn to look at me, didn't even seem to notice that I was awake and watching him. Then he turned to the closet, and I realized that this had to be his room. Guilt hit me, but seconds later it vanished in pure shock.

A glowing red sigil, unmistakably divine, etched across his back like a brand of flame. I had never seen a mark like that before. A scythe that seemed etched into his skin with the daintiest and finest of needles. But I knew it wasn't a tattoo. It was too big and it was glowing.

My breath caught. “Neil…”

He stilled, head turning slightly, his eyes flicking toward me over his shoulder. They were glowing. Not gold, but that red again. Deep and molten like fresh-poured steel and blood.

My whole body tensed.

He gave me a small, knowing smile. “You should rest,” he said gently. “You’re still recovering.”

“Neil… what is that on your back?”

He turned to the closet without answering, tugging on a clean shirt like the mark wasn’t still glowing.

“That’s… it’s a mark of the Moon Goddess. The Goddess’ Wrath."

I flinched. A stroke of terror crashed through me.

“We’ll talk about it later.”

“Neil—”

“I said rest.”

His voice wasn’t unkind, but it brooked no argument. I wanted to press further, but my body was too heavy. Too tired.

I started to sit up, but Dominic stirred behind me and let out a low, sleepy sound.

“Don’t,” he murmured, tightening his grip. “Five more minutes.”

His voice was deep and rough with sleep, and it curled around me like a blanket. His face was still pressed against my shoulder, beard scratching softly at my skin. I looked between the two of them and I felt something heavy settle deep in my chest.

Some of it was fear, and some of it was just guilt. Because when Neil left. He didn't smile at me. He looked almost ashamed. Resigned.

I never wanted him to look like that.

I dozed in and out for hours, too tired to think, too wired to fully rest. When I opened my eyes again, it was dusk.

Dominic was gone.

I sat up slowly, my body sore but stronger. A tray sat on the nightstand: soup, tea, a note in Neil’s handwriting that said, Eat all of it or I’m feeding you myself.

I smiled faintly and nibbled on the toast.

Footsteps approached, and I tensed before Arielle leaned in, cheeks flushed, hair slightly damp.

“You’re awake,” she said, tone suspiciously cheerful. “How do you feel?”

“Like I got hit by a truck.”

“Good. That means you’re healing.” She came in and plopped beside me. “ I'm going to be back soon enough. I just came to check on you and to give you this."

She gave me a vial, then stood again, pinching my cheek.

"We'll talk more soon, okay? For now, enjoy being spoiled by your two boyfriends."

I grimaced. "I'm not so sure about that."

"I am,” she said brightly. “Can't wait to see what kind of trouble you three will cause. And there is nothing better than a man with a plan."

I rolled my eyes. "Arielle."

"Both of those men have a lot of plans for you. I hope you enjoy to the fullest."

Then she stood and skipped out as if nothing was wrong. Maybe I was the one overreacting.