Page 53 of Depths of Desire
He breaks the connection without another word.
I lean back in my chair, exhaling slowly. It’s all well and good to say I’ll marry Luna—that it will protect her, give her safety, and buy us time. Plus, it will make me…happy. I am connected to her now, and to sever that bond would be soul-crushing. I just know it.
But I have a sinking feeling that convincing Luna that marrying me is the best idea won’t be easy.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Iopen my eyes and am immediately filled with regret. What have I done? Nico is a vampire… a creature I never thought I’d fall for. But that was based on my revulsion over Malrick. Still, how the hell has this become my life? When did this become normal—so normal that I actually had sex with him? I rub my face with both hands, mortified. It was damn good sex. I mean, amazing. Magical. But still…
How could I have let myself do this—with everything going on? And yet... it just felt so good to be held. As much as I hate it, I felt safe for the first time, maybe in my entire life. Nico makes me feel... cared for. I scrub my eyes again, determined not to cry.
My mother betrayed me so she could stay beautiful. My father sold me out so he could climb higher. If there’s a God, he knew exactly what he was doing when he didn’t let them have kids. And if that damn witch hadn’t interfered?—
I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.
And wouldn’t it have been nice if my so-called best friends had told me they were married to vampires? I’d have thought that was a detail worth sharing.
I sit up and prop my back against the headboard, pulling the sheets up to my chin. I need to get out of this bed. I need to get dressed, take a shower, reset. But how the hell do I do that?
A soft knock, then Carson enters with a tray balanced in his hands. The smell of coffee hits me like salvation.
“I thought you could probably use some coffee, Miss.”
“Carson, you are a godsend.” My voice is scratchy, but grateful. “What time is it?”
He offers me a small smile. “Just after 5:00 p.m., Miss.”
Oh my God, I’ve become one of them already. Sleeping all day and only coming out at night. But Nico goes out during the day. I frown. Malrick doesn’t, though. He only ever came at night. I clear my throat. “Carson, can you bring me a phone?”
“Of course, Miss,” he says, setting down the tray before turning and exiting the room.
By the time I’ve taken my first gulp of life-affirming caffeine, he’s back with a cell phone in hand. “Thank you, Carson.” He nods and slips quietly from the room. I am kind of surprised that he gave me another cell phone. I thought he might say no since Nico confiscated the one Carson had given me before. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, I punch in Pippa’s number from memory, my hands trembling just slightly.
She answers with a cautious, guarded tone. “Hello?”
“It’s me.”
“Of course,” she says immediately—and I know she can’t talk freely.
“I just wanted to see if you’ve heard from… Royce Dunbar.”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I have.”
“And what did he say?” I ask as anxiety crawls up my windpipe.
“Ah…it’s difficult to say.”
Shit. I have to ask yes and no questions. “Did he say yes? Did he say I could use his yacht?”
“Yes.” Her voice softens.
Relief crashes through me so fast it steals my breath. Hope blooms in my chest. Now I just need to figure out how.
“You have to find a way to tell me where it is.” I don’t know why I’m whispering but I am. “I know you can’t say a word, but?—”
Pippa’s voice sounds formal. “Um, yes. It isnicethis time of year.”
A pause. Then I understand.Nice.The city.
