Page 72 of Dearly Betrayed

“Fine, you go buy some tourist t-shirts from the boardwalk, but when you’re done come find me. The kids are with the nanny this afternoon which means mommy is free to roam.” She grimaces and shakes her head. “Please don’t tell anyone I just called myself mommy.”

“Your secret is safe with me. And listen, I’m just headed down a little ways, so tell the guards not to tail me, okay? I don’t feel like being watched over all the time.”

“I can buy you a head start, but no promises. Have fun!” Casey waves and turns her back to me, putting her hands on her hips. She glares around as if she’s about to marshal an army. “Hey, goons, I need someone to help me get upstairs. Who’s available?”

Suddenly, six guards rush to her as if they’re all tripping over each other to lend a hand. I had no clue there were that many listening and watching. Casey makes a little shooing gesture and I hurry away, my heart racing into my throat.

Holy crap, that was close.

Once outside, I find my way to the edge of the building and follow the perimeter. Parking spots, loading bays, all that good stuff. I stomp through a few puddles, my brain melting down, desperation going into overdrive. I need a dumpster, and I need one fast. I’m practically twitching as I come around the back and spot a big blue container, the top mercifully open.

I’m crying as I throw the duffel inside. Stupid papers, my stupid life. I never should’ve copied that stuff, much less made that call, but it’s gone now. Tossed into the trash. When the dumpster gets picked up, I’m home free. I can live my life and keep on falling in love. I’ll have to explain the call, but that won’t be too hard.

I’ll survive. And I’ll stay with my husband.

Relief feels so good. I force myself to head back onto the boardwalk and into the nearest t-shirt shop I find. It’s filled with the absolute worst stuff in the world, but I purchase a couple obscene baby doll tees that are way too small. I figure Jayson will think they’re funny—and enjoy tearing them off me.

As I walk back, taking my time, I consider what my future will be like. If I’m really accepting my place here, and I’m serious about my life with Jayson, that means no more Dublin. I’ll have to sacrifice part of my family to be with him, at least for the next year. When we move to London, who knows what it’ll be like—and whether my cousins and aunts and uncles will want me back at all.

And it doesn’t kill me. The thought hurts, but it’s not impossible. I could survive if I had to cut ties. I don’t want to—and I hope it won’t come to that—but if it means building a family with Jayson then I will accept the consequences.

I head back into the Sunrise. Guards shadow me the moment I’m through the doors. They don’t bother me anymore—and if they don’t mention my little unaccompanied excursion then I won’t either.

This is my home now. And for the first time since coming here, I’m excited for the future.

Chapter32

Fallon

Jayson holds my hand as we walk together along the beach early the next morning. It’s an unseasonably warm day and the sea breeze blows my hair back as the water laps at the sand. It’s beautiful—the coastline stretches forever, and I can see buildings in the distance, hotels built a town or two over wreathed in the mist of miles and miles.

“It’s not bad here,” Jayson says, talking into the wind. “I forgot that I liked living near the beach.”

“Where’s your London flat?”

“Kensington. Well, I have a house in Mayfair as well.”

“Oh, god. Of course you’re posh.”

“No shit. You think I’m going to live in some ugly suburban hellscape?”

“Ouch. You do realize my family isn’t rich?”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

“The clan’s got money and business connections, but we use that to fund everyone. Each and every member’s taken care of, including all the dead and their families. My father believed in putting everyone else first.”

“Bet that annoyed you.” He looks at me, a smile on his lips. “Him putting everyone else first.”

“I was taken care of.”

“Were you? Not like you are by me.”

“Well, no, obviously not.”

“The Costa family has money. We take care of our people too, but we’re also not shy about enriching ourselves. What’s the point of running this empire if we’re not enjoying the fruits of it?”

“There’s such a thing as having enough, you know.”

---