Page 40 of A Night of Indulgence and Sloth
“Oh really? Has she been talking about my fantastic espresso skills? It always makes her steamy when I start frothing.”
“Oh my God,” Lily sighs, covering her eyes. Calantha laughs, enjoying the discomfort on her sister’s face, but something tells me it’s not malicious. A person doesn’t sign their sister up for a sex club only to turn around months later and enjoy their embarrassment.
“You know, she has mentioned that once or twice, actually.”
“Kill me now,” Lily whispers, taking a large drink of the cocktail she’s holding.
Calantha throws an arm around her sister, giving her a reassuring smile.
Aiden joins our little circle, diverting the attention from Liliana to him. “What are we talking about?”
“Only my death,” she replies. If she’s hoping to change the subject, she’ll soon find out that particular answer will have the opposite effect.
“I was only explaining to Kaleb how fond my sister is of him. Of you both. She mentioned your—”
“Nope! Aren't there other people you have to mingle with? Or can we talk about literally anything else?” Lily runs a hand over her hair, looking like she’d rather be anywhere but here.
“As you wish,” Aiden replies before turning toward Calantha. “We haven’t been officially introduced. I’m Aiden Daniels.”
“Calantha. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve only been to your building a few times, but damn, that place is a dream. Was it always the plan to have a pool on site?”
With the change in conversation, Lily exhales a sigh of relief. The four of us talk for what seems like hours before Aiden’s phone rings and he steps away.
“I should probably go say hi to the rest of the guests. Enjoy your evening, ladies. I’ll see you both in a bit.”
I talk casually with a few guests until I catch sight of Aiden beckoning me inside. He presses his lips into a grim line, making me wonder what might have ruined his good mood.
“What is it?”
He doesn’t answer, only pulls me down the hall toward the kitchen.This can’t be good.
“Elliott called. He apologized for the delay, I guess he’s in the middle of a crisis in Blackstone Creek, but he confirmed our suspicions. Burt Brandon not only knows Liliana’s uncle, but he also spent a good deal of time with him over the years.”
“So that’s what he meant by saying she should have stayed home. But why? What was her uncle promising him?”
“I have a feeling we know what Burt got out of the deal, but what I can’t figure out is what her uncle would have gotten in return. Elliott’s going to dig deeper, try to find other known associates, but whoever’s working with them is adept enough to mostly cover their tracks. Not as good as Elliott, but still good.”
“Fuck. Well, if anyone can find something, it’s him. At least if we have names, we can avoid causing further discomfort to Lily. Though I’d like to make a visit to this uncle myself.” Aiden’s eyes darken, mirroring my own lust for vengeance. Instead of acting on it, we return to the party as if we didn’t just peel back another layer of Liliana Sinclair’s past.
I catch sight of her standing alone near the edge, staring off into the fading sunset. All I want to do is hold her close and protect her from everyone. Whatever Burt did to her, he has to pay. And if what we suspect is true, nothing would stop me from avenging the beautiful woman who now held my heart.
We’ll get justice for Lily come hell or high water. And whoever threatens her will soon realize that Aiden and I are both the hellandthe high water.
Liliana
Icould stare at this view every single day and not tire of it.
There’s something about this city that sets my heart alight, and I’m once again grateful that Calantha and I decided to come here after we escaped the farm.
As the last ray of sunlight disappears, twinkling fairy lights turn on around the open area until the entire loft illuminates beneath the soft glow. Despite the gentle breeze blowing a few curls free from my pinned hair, I’m not cold. It feels as if a furnace rages inside of me, fueling me toward something I can’t quite figure out.
“Alright, I can’t keep my mouth shut anymore,” Calantha says, handing me a glass of water before taking a sip of her own.
When my sister says things like that, it’s hard to guess what will come out of her mouth next. To my surprise, she doesn’t mention Kaleb or Aiden at all.
“Exalta Solutions is ten times better than that textile company you worked for. Look at this freaking party, Lil.”
She’s not wrong. My old job didn’t have half the perks this one does.Or two incredibly hot bosses that make me ache like no other.
