Page 55 of Victorious Vice

“Are you still there?” the woman’s voice pierces through my concentration.

“Yes,” I whisper back. “I’m trying to open the door.”

I return my attention to the stubborn lock. Just as my patience begins to wane…a soft click. Tension eases in the door as relief washes over me.

“I’ve got it,” I whisper to myself. I slide the door open and look into the dim room. Only a bed and a chair, and on the bed lies a frail woman, her hair white as snow and her eyes shimmering.

It’s her. The old woman from the photos.

Her eyes widen as she looks me up and down.

“Mario?”

17

RAVEN

Igulp back the sadness that attempts to overtake me.

Vinnie is back.

And he’s with a woman.

Not just any woman, but a young and beautiful woman with flowing black hair and big dark eyes. Her skin is a shade darker than mine, and her lips are full and ruby red.

And her dress…

Black. Black velvet and slimming. Showing off an amazing body. Not to mention her ass.

My heart sinks. Has he truly forgotten me so quickly?

I gulp.

Hawk walks toward me. “Ray? You need to hold it together.”

“Who is that with him?” I demand.

“I don’t know, sis. And it doesn’t matter.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders, giving them a squeeze, but I see in his eyes that he finds Vinnie’s companion quite attractive. “Tonight isyournight. Tonight is the night you’ve worked your ass off for. And you look beautiful.”

I let my hand wander up to my short hair. I hate the fact that I’m envious of her long, gorgeous locks.

Was I seriously just thinking I might keep my hair short?

No, I want my long flowing hair back. I want my long thick eyelashes back.

I want my long and lean body back.

I’m still too thin. I haven’t regained all of my muscle mass. That will take a while.

But the woman with Vinnie? Her body is perfection. Perfect hourglass.

He never loved me.

He was lying.

As much as I adore Savannah, her brother turned out to be just another jerk.

Not that she would know. He was gone for seventeen years. Savannah was only ten when he left for Europe. She may remember him as a loving older brother, but he’s no longer that person.

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