Page 2 of Mastered By Bliss

“Don’t be.”She smooths the frown from his forehead and stands on her tiptoes so she can kiss his cheek.“It’s important.I’ll call you later.”

A strange feeling washes through me as she watches Dmitri leave.It isn’t jealousy or sorrow, but it carries a similar weight.

Tenderness.That’s the feeling.

And a desire to keep this dynamic forever.Dmitri and me, loving Leah.

She might not believe that love can last, but I’ll believe hard enough for all three of us.

* * *

Dmitri

I’m late to the service.Only by a couple of minutes, though.I find Danica near the back and slide into the pew next to her.She flicks me an annoyed glance, but reaches over to squeeze my hand.

Large, arched windows of stained glass allow in the muted light.The polished wooden pews are stuffed full of people wearing their Easter finery.I feel like an ass wearing last night’s rumpled tux, but the only person to give me a strange look is Danica.

The service is long and boring.My attention wanders.Somewhere near the front of the church are my parents, my aunts, and my cousin Rachel.If Patrick is there…

“Stop sending death glares.”Danica smacks my arm.“The priest is starting to freak out.”

She’s exaggerating.I think.

Community prayers are listed in a sympathetic monotone by the priest.Granddad is mentioned.He’s still at the hospital, but recovering quickly.He’ll be released soon.

As soon as the last prayer is prayed, Danica stands up and starts toward the door.I follow her, puzzled at her rush.Obviously, we don’t want to talk to our family, but they’re all the way up front.The crush of Easter churchgoers will prevent them from reaching us for at least fifteen minutes.

As we practically sprint past the far rear pew, I catch sight of a familiar face.

“Was that Troy Manchester?”I whip around, trying to see, but Danica grabs my hand and drags me from the building.

I think it was Troy.Which means Edmund isn’t far—those two are never apart.

Danica ignores my question.“Let’s get out of here before Mom and Dad corner us.”

I allow her to pull me away, but I really don’t fucking like the Laytons sticking their noses into our territory.

* * *

Gage

In the evening, Leah and I turn off our phones.It’s time for quiet, and I want to be fully present with her.Before this, I spent an hour on a call with Claudia, reassuring her that I’m being as careful as possible.We don’t have many details of Nic’s death, but we do know she had returned to LA shortly after midnight and was hit by a car while crossing a street.

One moment, alive and spewing poison at my girlfriend.The next moment, gone.

I’m determined not to let her death mess up my routine.She did that enough while she was alive.

“What do you want for dinner?”I ask Leah as I start toward the kitchen.

She looks up from her book.“You aren’t going to Low Vice?”

“I’m staying in with you.We’ve had a very busy twenty-four hours.”I hesitate before adding, “I’m going to hire some private security.”

She nods.“That’s wise.I don’t think Claudia is wrong to worry about you?—”

“I mean for you.”I continue into the kitchen.

“What?”She sets down her book and follows me.“I don’t think you’ve noticed, but it isn’tmyformer coworkers who are getting picked off by a homicidal driver.”

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