Page 139 of Dance of Madness

That we’ve picked up where we left off four years ago.

My pulse skips.

…That I love him.

I could say it’s silly. I could roll my eyes and tell myself to stop being ridiculous. But it’s not a sudden thought. It’s one that's been building for some time, growing, even if I’ve been trying to ignore it for weeks.

I’m not doing that anymore.

My very skin is tingling as I walk in a daze toward the vanity. My fingers shake as I open my jewelry box, and a soft smile teases my lips as I pull out the pendant: a delicate silver chain with a single diamond hanging from it.

Well, not a pendant.

An earring.

I had this made three years ago from the single Louis Monte Noir diamond earring that remained in my possession after that night with him.

WithNero.

When the bullets flew, I managed to lose one—or maybe I lost it in our chase earlier in the evening. Either way, I only made it home with one. And months later, I had that remaining one turned into this pendant.

A soft smile curls the corners of my lips as I bring it to my neck. I don’t wear this often, but tonight it feels appropriate.

I’m still not sure what to think, just how I feel about all this: excited but grounded. Nervous but sure. Spinning out of control but headed right for him.

I’ve collected a few copies ofWertherover the years. My most prized one is the first edition from my father, where I keep the notes. But the first runner up is another first edition.

I found this one in a vintage bookstore in London two years ago. It’s not inquiteas good shape as Papa's, but it’s still a stunning copy of a book I treasure dearly.

And I know what I’m doing with it tonight.

I sit at my desk and open the book with shaking hands. I have to breathe deeply so that my hand doesn’t tremble holding the pen. Then, with a grin practically splitting my face, I scrawl the words across the inside cover, then close it.

My pulse thuds. My skin tingles as I glance at the clock.

It’s time.

Time to finally meet, face to face. Without words, years, or masks between us.

And I can’t fucking wait.

28

NERO

I exhale heavily.

If you were spying on me, it might appear from my fidgeting, pacing, and frequent glances at myself in the mirror that I was nervous.Me.

But it’s not nerves that have me pacing, clenching my hands and grinding my teeth.

It’s excitement.

Because tonight, I’m making it real. When I meet Milena for dinner in about forty minutes at Oolong, midtown’s newest two Michelin star restaurant, I’m breaking down the last wall between us.

Tonight, the truth comes out, all of it.

There’s no stopping the grin that spreads over my face as I catch my eye in the mirror.

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