Page 56 of The Bonventi Secret

"Oh, shit, sorry, sorry, real quick. I'm drunk, if you must know. Also, Jake's been asking about you."

"Well, family is fine, so that's good," I say. I'm not even going to address the Jake thing right now. I feel like Enzo would tear down this door if he heard me mention another man's name.

"Good, that is good. So when are you coming home?"

"Well, I'm not sure. It's a long story, Meg," I say. "But the short version is: I'm engaged. Surprise."

There's a beat of silence on the other end of the line, and then Megan absolutely loses it. "You're WHAT?" she yells. "What the fuck, Liv? Engaged? Are you out of your goddamn mind?!"

I sigh. "Yes? No? I don't know. It's crazy, but?—"

"Livia, this is insane. Tell me you're joking. Do you need me to come and get you or something? Blink twice if you're in danger."

I laugh. "No, I'm not in danger," I say. I hope not, anyway. "And how would that even work? You can't see my face."

"Shit, you're right. Let's FaceTime, and then you can blink."

I can't help but laugh at that. "No, no. It's fine. Look, I actually..." I pause, feeling a giddy smile spread across my face. "I think I might have met someone."

"Wait, wait, wait. What? You're getting married, but you've met someone? Liv, what the hell is going on?"

I giggle, forgetting how Meg can be at times when she drinks. I miss it. "It's the same person, Meg. The guy I'm supposed to marry. He's... incredible."

"Shit, you are serious, aren't you?" she asks, trying to sound sober.

"Yes, Meg. You'll love him," I say, unsure.

"Oh. My. God," Megan yells, and I can practically hear her grinning. "You're crazy, but I'm with you. Okay, okay, tell me everything. Now."

I think for a moment. What exactly do I tell her? Not the whole arrangement thing, so I guess everything else.

"He's older than me," I start, twirling a strand of hair around my finger like a giddy schoolgirl. "Tall, dark, handsome—the whole package. And smart, Meg. We can talk for hours about literature and art."

"Uh-huh," Megan says, sounding skeptical but intrigued. "And?"

"And holy fuck, Meg. The sex. It's mind-blowing." I clap a hand over my mouth, surprised at my own candidness.

Megan squeals. "I knew it! You little minx. Give me details. Is he big?"

I feel my cheeks heat up. "Megan!"

"Come on, Liv. You can't leave me hanging here."

I laugh, glancing toward the bedroom door to make sure it's still closed. "Fine. Yes, he's, um, very well-endowed. And he knows exactly how to use it."

"Damn, girl," Megan says, impressed. "So at first, it sounds like you hit the jackpot, but I want to meet him."

I sigh, my mood dampening slightly. "There's more, and it's a little convoluted. There's a lot I can't tell you... yet. He's not exactly a normal 9-to-5 guy. There's maybe a little danger involved."

"Danger? Liv, what the hell have you gotten yourself into?"

"I wish I could explain further," I say, frustrated. "Just trust me when I say it's intense. But God, Meg, when I'm with him, I feel alive. It's like every nerve ending in my body is on fire."

"Okay, now you're just bragging," Megan teases. "But seriously, Liv. Are you safe?"

I think about the armed guards, about Alex following me everywhere. "Yeah, I'm safe. Probably safer than I've ever been, actually."

"Good," Megan says, sounding relieved. "Now, tell me more about this mind-blowing sex. Can you at least give a girl that?"