Page 110 of Red Masquerade

I almost agreed, but shook my head. I had run away, hiding right under my family’s nose. Deceiving them, perhaps similarly to how Vince deceived his family now—only, my family had no reason to believe I was dead. But he didn’t seem remorseful or worried about if they found out. He’d hardly mentioned them in the past weeks.

“He’s gone through a lot,” I said, at his defense.

Flora sat up fully, raising her hands. “I know. That war did something to a lot of people.” She blew out through her teeth. “But Helena, how does someone just come back filthy rich?”

I looked up at her. “He invests,” I said pointedly.

She shot me an incredulous look.

“You cannot judge when your own man sellsliquor,” I pointed at her chest. “Which isillegal, if you didn’t know.”

She laughed at my stern expression, pushing my finger away. “As though legality is the same asmorality.” She leaned in close, smiling her warm smile at me, bronze skin glowing under the sun. “As long as he treats you right.”

“He does,” I said, suddenly feeling like this was an interrogation. I knew she was just looking out for me, but she hadn’t been this skeptical when I first fell for Adam.

I flopped back over, throwing an arm over my eyes to shield out the sun.

“But?”

I peeked out at her again. “But what?”

She rolled her eyes, laying back again herself. “But—I don’t know.But I wish I could go out with you every night.”

I laughed, watching the clouds move above us. “I do.”

“I wish I’d run away to your house. Wouldn’t that be great? And Dixon could take us away, sell everyone off. Take us on a tour of Europe.” She nudged me with her arm again. “We still could. You could come with me when I leave—I’ll convince Dixon to buy tickets for the next boat.”

“Wouldn’t you like that?” I said.

“Of course I would! It would be an adventure. My best friend, my man—”

“You’re serious about him,” I observed.

She hummed, sitting silent for a moment. “I haven’t been talking to anyone else. Not for some time.”

“Flora! You’re in love,” I crooned.

It felt good. Like we were girls again.

Her hand came to cover my mouth. “Hush, or he’ll hear you.”

“Would that be so bad?”

“He figures everything out,” she grumbled. “Before I can tell him, he’ll just know. Like he has someone listeningeverywhere. Feeding him everyone’s secrets.”

“Hmm.”

“I want to tell him.” She looked out at the water. A “But” hung in the air.

“I think he knows,” I said.

She turned to me again.

“He’s very protective of you. He’s serious about you, too.” I just didn’t tell her how literally that “forever” meant. If she knew howmuch he cared for her safety, her happiness, I think she’d propose tohim.

She thought to herself for a moment, watching waves lap against the dock, the clouds rolling above us, hiding the sun, then revealing its light. We hadn’t had a moment where it was just us, no one else, in so long. Where we could speak plainly.

And the truth just sat there on my tongue, almost bursting from me.