Page 43 of Wicked Truths
Amara
“New York!” Milly splasheswater at Poppy. “You lucky bitch. It’s not fair. I want to go to New York.”
I dive into the cool water, letting it wash away the lingering heat from my encounter with Caleb. My arms and legs are outstretched as I glide through the pool toward Poppy and Milly at the far end.
I push out of the water, breaking the surface between them. “At least the Gold Coast has waves.”
“Please.” Milly waggles her eyebrows. “I can make my own waves anywhere.”
“You’re over Romeo then?” I adjust my bikini top.
Milly’s face falls. “Have you seen Romeo? Do you think I’ll ever get over him?”
“Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?” I gesture at her toned body. “You’re hardly going to die a spinster if looks are all it takes.”
Poppy kicks her legs in the water. “So Amara, who’s your perfect man?”
“Someone like Chris Hemsworth, but darker.” I trail my fingers through the water.
“He’s old,” Poppy says.
“He’s in his early forties, maybe.”
“Like I said, he’s old,” Poppy adds.
I shake my head. “And what type of man are you looking for?”
“I’m not,” Poppy says. “Dancing is all I want.”
“She’s not looking for a daddy like you!” Milly cackles.
“Total daddy issues.” Poppy joins in. “Should we call you baby girl?”
Their laughter echoes across the pool. My throat tightens and tears prick at my eyes. I blink them back, as I push myself so I’m on my back, focusing on the blue sky above.
Maybe they’re right. Maybe I do need someone older to feel loved, protected. Safe.
I remain floating on my back, letting the water cup my body, the gentle waves lapping at my ears. Caleb’s face drifts into my mind—his gentle touch, his knowing smile, the way his silver-gray eyes crinkle behind those black-rimmed glasses when he looks at me.
Then without warning, Dom’s piercing blue eyes appear, intense and searching, like they can see straight through to my soul.
No.
I turn until I’m standing in the pool and shake my head, sending ripples across the pool’s surface, droplets scattering like diamonds in the sunlight.
I can’t go there. Not now, not ever.
“You haven’t told me what happened with you and Con,” Milly says, swimming alongside me, her long pink hair fanning out in the water like a mermaid’s.
“I can’t tell you.” I step into the deep end and tread water, my legs working beneath the surface to keep me steady.
“Please.” Milly swims closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “I can keep a secret. Did you see him kill someone?” She giggles, the sound echoing off the water. “Just tell me. He’ll kill anyway once he can walk again.”
“Are you still feeling his balls on your knee?” I smirk, remembering how she’d gotten revenge on Mateo. “That was a risk on your behalf.”
She shrugs, water droplets rolling off her shoulders. “He shouldn’t mess with my sister.” Milly’s fierce protectiveness warms my heart, a reminder that despite everything, I’m not completely alone in this mess. “And Lia hates him, she’ll kill him if she finds out he threatened you.”
“I really should check on her.”
