Heaven and Hell (Heaven and Hell #1)(26)

Unloading the house I hated and restarting my life at The Dorchester, which was an absolutely awesome condo complex, was seriously good news and, even better, it was very rare a unit opened up for sale.

So this wasn’t good news, it was awesome.

“Totally, babe,” Paula told me. “This is huge. I love it. Now, I know you’re vacationing with the rich and famous…” Jeez, she had no idea and when she learned, I’d have to put cotton in my ears she was going to scream so loud. “But I gotta move on this. I’ll see if they have digital shots or a web listing set up, if not, I’ll get in the unit and take some, e-mail them to you. Can you go somewhere, get on a computer and pick up your webmail?”

“Probably,” I answered.

“Good. I’m gonna do that today. And tell the two couples I have on the hook that they gotta get their shit sorted by end of business. Get that nailed down, get your deposit. If you give the go ahead on the photos, I’ll move on The Dorchester. Do we have a plan?”

I couldn’t believe this. This was amazing. This meant I got to go home, have my yard sale and get on with my life. My life. My life with Memphis that had no nuance of Cooter in it except, of course, the existence of Memphis but that wasn’t her fault.

I loved this.

And that was why I smiled at the phone and whispered, “Yeah, honey, we have a plan.”

“Killer, babe. Kill… er. I’m freaking out, I’m so happy. It’s like… I know this is gonna sound totally unhinged and so far beyond bitchy, I may go straight to hell, but it’s like Milo blew a hole in Cooter’s head and at the same time he blew you a shitload of luck. His pension, five million dollars, the vacation of a lifetime and now this.”

At her words, I closed my eyes, my body got stiff and I was so freaked, I didn’t notice Sam’s arm going tight or his body closing in on mine.

When I didn’t speak, Paula whispered, “Oh shit, I took that too far, didn’t I?”

She did.

She was right with what she said, of course. It sucked for Milo, who was a good guy who was driven to do a very bad thing, but there was no question his actions meant good things for me including getting my life back, getting a shitload of money and dodging a bullet, literally because Cooter and Vanessa were going to hire a hit man.

But still. I wasn’t ready for it to be laid out like that and certainly not when I was experiencing all that was Sam. I wasn’t prepared. I was vulnerable and her words brought shit to the surface I didn’t want to deal with unless I was in familiar surroundings and close to Memphis who would cuddle, give me doggie kisses and make me feel better.

I sucked in an unsteady breath but didn’t open my eyes when I replied quietly, “No, honey, that’s okay.”

Silence then, “No, it was too far.”

“It’s okay.”

I heard her take in breath then say cautiously, “I know we haven’t gotten ‘round to talking about this, babe, but you know we’ll have to and –”

I shook my head then tipped it down, opened my eyes and looked at the floor, whispering, “I can’t do this now.”

More silence then, “Oh God, I forgot. You’re at a party.”

Yes, I was.

Oh shit.

I was.

With ex-model Luciana who had a villa, a Lamborghini, four other cars and a boat and Sampson Freaking Cooper who I noticed belatedly was holding me front-to-front in one arm.

Shit!

I looked up at him, he was staring down at me with that intent look and, I knew, listening to every word.

“Yes,” I answered Paula, my eyes sliding away. “I’m at a party.”

“Right, well, okay then, don’t hate me but I’m gonna take this shot.”

Oh man.

Sneak attack!

Before I could intervene, she kept talking.

“I’m gonna get your house sorted for you and then me, Teri and Missy are gonna get you sorted, babe. No,” she said the last word swiftly like she thought I’d refuse which, totally, I would, that was I would if I didn’t have an audience. “When he was alive, we get it, he was a threat. You don’t see your girl with bruises on her face too often to count for seven years and not get that, babe. And also not get that that shit dished out regularly would put the fear of God in anybody. But he’s gone and we’re gonna sort out the shit he left behind and, Kia, we all dig that you think you can just put it behind you, get rid of all that was him and move on but that shit isn’t gonna fly and, deep down, I know you know it, girl.”

“Paula, please, now is really not the time,” I whispered and when I did, Sam’s other arm slid around me.

Damn it!

“I know, I’m just saying, when you get home, we’re making it the time.”

And I was just thinking that maybe I’d find a place on Crete and never go home.

“Kia? Babe?” she called.

“Fine,” I whispered because at that moment I had no choice.

“Okay,” she whispered back.

“I’ll find a computer to pull up the pictures you send me but it’s late here so it won’t be until morning.”

“Right.”

“Okay.”

“Well then, have fun at your party.”

Impossible.