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I had to get out of her apartment before I did something regretful.

But if I read her reaction correctly, she was struggling with the same issue. Or was that my imagination—my hope?

Maybe she was unsettled because of what I’d told her about The Trogyn. Enzo Stevens was a minor player within the crime organization. His face had appeared in several of my friends’ investigations.

I shouldn’t have scared her, but she needed to know the surrounding danger. She shouldn’t be running around playing detective.

I told her I’d help resolve Emmanuel’s threat. Why didn’t she believe me?

Today, I’d stepped over that line where I couldn’t go back. One taste ignited this desire in me that needed to be tamed.

I pushed all thoughts aside as I parked on a side street, got out, and walked into the lobby of Emmanuel’s luxury apartment.

The host with the curly hair smiled at me. “Can I help you?”

“Just waiting for my friend, Emmanuel.” I jerked a hand to the gym behind her. I could see him on the treadmill.

“Oh, he’s going to be in there for a while.”

“I’m Ricky, his cousin, visiting from California. I want to surprise him. Do you mind if I go upstairs and wait in the lounge area?”

His files showed he had a cousin living in Los Angeles, and I’d already looked at the blueprint of this building.

“Sure. I won’t say anything.” She smiled.

“Thank you.”

I took the elevator up to the fifth floor and sat in a comfortable brown chair in the lounge area facing his room. Two people walked past me but were on their phones. While I waited, I had my assistant, Beth, schedule a private shopping at the Happily Ever After Boutique and a photo shoot in Maui. I browsed through the boutique and sent Vanessa a link.

Attikus:Pick a dress from this shop.

Vanessa:I can’t afford this. (wide-eye emoji)

Attikus:I’m paying.

Vanessa:You want to spend this much money on a fake wedding?

Attikus:It needs to look real. I splurge on thingsthat matter.

Vanessa:In that case, I’ll browse.

I imagined her looking through the website, wondering if she’d choose the one I’d mentally picked out.

Vanessa:Can I get shoes and accessories?

Attikus:Yes. Anything.

Vanessa:What’s your budget?

Attikus:None.

Vanessa:Are you crazy?

Attikus:You know the answer.

Vanessa:I thought you had to work. Why are you looking at wedding dresses?

Attikus:I’m good at multitasking.