Page 93 of About Love and Revenge

Maybe I'll do that later.

"So, which one can I ride?"

His face finally relaxes. “We’ll see.”

Odin

CHAPTER THIRTY

“How arethe preparations for the ball going?”

After the horseback riding and a picnic in the mountains, we're in an outdoorhot tub.

Elina is leaning back against my chest and looking up at the sky.

I’ve never enjoyed life before. I know this sounds crazy, but I've lived, ever since I recovered from the fire, with only my plans for revenge as my focus.

Since then, I have never just enjoyed myself as anyone my age would. Not as a kid and not even during college did I allow myself any fun.

The ultimate pleasure for me was having sex, which could take up many hours and maybe even a whole day, but other than that, no leisure or fun trips.

I attended a few college parties, but always as an observer. I think that's my main function in the world: to observe the human soul.

“It's all going well. I had an idea. We could do a mini-auction during the party to raise more money for burn victims. What do you think? I know the plan was just to charge for dinner, but I think an auction would get people excited to contribute. We could get a lot more money for the cause.”

She turns to sit on my lap, and I regret agreeing that we change into bathing suits. I wanted to go in without any clothes on, but she said it was either wear the bathing suits or we'd have sex minutes later, a line of reasoning with which I couldn't disagree.

“We can auction a week in some tropical paradise, or even on our . . . onyourisland in Greece.”

“No.”

She stiffens in my arms, and I know it's because I've spoken too emphatically.

When she tries to run away, however, I hold her. “Don’t go.”

She still seems unsure about staying and I realize I need to offer more.

“It's not safe to go there now.”

“No? Why? I know the bombing was on the island, but Naim wouldn't do anything to guests.”

I don't answer, and she looks angry.

“Let me go,” she says, struggling to get up from my lap.

I’ve had confirmation that it really was Naim who sabotaged the car. Although the police haven't gotten any leads, I have, but it's not because of him that I don't consider the island safe.

I can't allow anyone to go there until I'm sure it was one of the islanders who killed Ciro at Leandros's behest.

“You say I'm your girlfriend, but you totally leave me out of your life. Do you know what that says? That I'm just the woman you have sex with, no matter what you call the two of us.”

“What you're saying doesn't make any sense. How many times do I need to repeat that you're my girlfriend?”

“I disagree. Lovers share secrets. Zoe told me that, and at the time I didn't think it was important, but now I see she was right. If you don't tell me anything about your world, how can I be part of it?”

I sigh, annoyed, unsure how to act. How do I explain that a good number of my secrets have to do with her father?

Despite being on my lap, she doesn't touch me anymore, and I don't want that distance between us.

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