Sarah laughed heartily, pulling the two of us close and leaving Killian by himself with a quick, "Sorry, girl stuff!" That's when she told us everything she knew.
"The woman Bruce Bance is bringing used to be famous, or at least I know federal authorities are looking for her. From what I could gather, she's older than him. I know she was the one who contacted him first, and since then they've been seeing each other quite often. Lucius and Bruce are trying to convince her to help with whatever it is you guys want to do."
Anxious, I asked, "But tell us her name! Who is she? Wait, what exactly do you mean by 'what we want to do'?"
She replied, "What you want to do… you know, that thing about forming a group to catch those lunatics who have been committing crimes for years. That whole idea of rescuing people you have in mind. And no, I don't know her name, but I thought you two would figure out who she is, because the way they talk makes it sound like she knows you both."
I looked at Evangelina and said, "Come on, use that big brain of yours and think."
But right then, I realized this whole thing about psychopaths was actually serious, and I made it clear to Sarah that I wasn't going to be a part of it.
Evangelina replied, "You know Bruce completely clouds my judgment. No, I don't have the slightest idea who it could be. And as for our group, Lucius will send you the location once they have it—it's going to be like our hideout. But let's not think about that today. Come on, let's dance with these boys and not think about anything else."
We all headed under the lights, drinking and laughing. Killian moved with effortless sensuality, while Lucius stuck to neat, proper steps. As soon as one song ended, another from my playlist topped it. Gradually, everything started feeling easier for me…
I kept my distance from Lucius, letting Sarah take the place that had been mine just days ago. I probably don't need to explain this to you, girl—or maybe I do—but there's no spark or fire between them, just polite gestures and nothing more. Killian hadn't noticed the distance between his brother and me; he was just… pure Killian. He took my hand, wrapped his arm around my waist, leaned close to my mouth as we danced, and kissed me. Not once did his hands stop searching for me, not once did his skin stop wanting to be close to mine.
Evangelina told me, "I'm not sleeping alone tonight. My heart is going to be broken… can I stay here with the two of you? Just to sleep and cuddle—it's not like I want to… well, I'd probably accept a few kisses too, if that's okay?"
Killian answered without hesitation that he definitely planned on staying, and I was surprised. That would make it two nights in a row, and even though I had placed my hopes in him, thinking something serious was forming between us, the idea of her sleeping curled up next to me felt wonderful. And it's not for the reason you think. It's because if she needs me—when I look like a tiny cockroach next to her—if she wants my comfort for heartbreak, it means it happens to all of us. In love, no one is safe from being dragged into sadness, just like what's happening to me right now as I watch Lucius glance past me while Sarah accidentally steps on his foot.
It was sweet to see that out of all the food I had ordered—literally telling them, "I'm throwing a party and I need whatever billionaires usually eat," and the company delivered it—all that expensive food with fancy names, neatly arranged on trays, everyone chose the simplest sandwiches, the ones I had ordered for myself. Everyone except Sarah, who actually went for the canapés or whatever they were, the ones with truffles from who-knows-where.
Some trays needed to be heated, and it was Sarah who followed me into the kitchen while I put them in the oven and confessed, "I want you to know we didn't do anything. Nothing has happened between Lucius and me. I felt like I had to tell you because I think he and you… well, I'm sure I can't compete with what you have."
I looked at Sarah closely. Her hair was a bit blonder now, her hazel eyes, and I could bet it had been a while since the last time someone kissed her. She had a beautiful body, and her fondness for drinking hadn't changed since the last time. I felt an urge to be kind to her, even though, of course, part of me wanted to hate her. I told her, "Everything between Lucius and me is over. I don't want to lie and say it was because of you. I don't think you two are right for each other, but you do fit the path he wants to take. If becoming president is his dream, then go ahead. But I wouldn't want you to get mad at me one day if… he… It would be very hypocritical of me to promise nothing will ever happen between us in the future. In fact, I'm sure I'll always be part of his life, and he'll be part of mine. I don't understand, and I never will, how you can accept these kinds of marriages."
With disarming honesty, she replied, "It's not as sad as it sounds if the marriage they arrange for you is with Lucius, don't you think? But deep down, I'm sure I won't be happy. I told you once that guys and girls used to come after me in college, but it was hard to tell if it was because of my father or because of me. The truth is, I need love like anyone else, and honestly, he doesn't seem very interested in giving it to me."
I went over and hugged her, and she started crying. Damn it, this was supposed to be a party. Luckily, Evangelina came in and took the trays out of the oven because I had completely forgotten about them. Then she came over, hugged us, and said in a condescending tone, "Oh, you poor pretty girls crying over love. Come on, enough nonsense, let's celebrate! Look at me—my cousin, the man I've dreamed about since I was a little girl, is coming to this party with someone else, so what? I'm not ruining my makeup over him. I'm just going to have fun tonight. Come on!"
She took our hands, but Sarah stopped her and said, "Wait, you told us to look at you, and when I do, all I can think is that everything must be easier for you. You're… well… like a supermodel mixed with a cover girl. I've never met anyone like you."
Evangelina placed a hand on her chest and said, "Oh, Sarah, you're so sweet!"
She gave her a tender kiss on the mouth and said, "Now let's go! I want to eat something before we keep dancing and drinking."
Sarah turned around and whispered to me, "Oh my God! Did you see that? She kissed me! That goddess kissed me! That's the most erotic thing that's happened to me in a long time."
I smiled. Evangelina causes that… joy.
Killian was standing with his back to me near the bar, and I went up and hugged him from behind. He took my hands and said, "You have no idea how much I wanted to have fun and be with you. When you don't want me anymore, you can kick me out. I like Mary Garden—it feels like home."
In a rush of love, I told him, "It could be your home. Our home, if you want. Well, you know what I mean."
He turned around, kissed me passionately, and replied, "Good thing you said that, because I was already feeling guilty for bringing some underwear and my toothbrush in the Ferrari so I could stay here."
When I went back to the girls, I saw Sarah laughing exaggeratedly with Evangelina, brushing her hair to one side and tilting her head slightly. Was she trying to seduce her? Yes, no doubt.
My phone alerted me that someone was at the gate. It was Bruce. When I opened it, a black truck parked behind the sports cars, and he jumped out, running over to hug me. I was surprised, happy to see him because he looked incredibly handsome, wearing a long coat and a black shirt. He looked like a comic book character, the detective who roams the night fighting crime. I hadn't forgotten the depth of his hypnotic gaze or the dimples in his cheeks when he smiles, but having him close again felt beautiful. He was beautiful. But on the other hand, I thought: what a lack of manners! He didn't even open the truck door to help his date out.
Evangelina came over and kissed him on the cheek. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close in a clear show of possession. Killian and Lucius came over with Sarah to greet him. She smiled, stared at the cousins standing close together for a few seconds, then turned to whisper to me again, "What did they feed these Bance boys? They're insanely even more attractive when they're both in the same place. Look at her—Evangelina is glowing, and he looks so confident."
I think Sarah was right. Evangelina gave me a look that said, "Go on, ask him where his mysterious woman is!"
So I did and said, "Hey, wait… weren't you coming with your girlfriend?"
He spat out his champagne laughing and said, "No, of course not, she's not my girlfriend. I told you she was an extraordinary woman, but no. She canceled at the last minute, said something important came up, but she left a letter for you to read."
When he handed it to me, I recognized the handwriting immediately: it was Clara, the psychic. The note said:
"I'm sorry I can't be there. I had something important and personal to discuss with Carmilla, but duty calls in unexpected ways. That means that while I was getting ready, I accidentally touched the hotel receptionist's hand, and now I need to make her understand she must get away from her mother as soon as possible—she has already killed her other daughter. It won't be easy.
I want to go in order of importance: what the five of you are about to do will change your lives and the lives of thousands around the world. But Lucius, wear a bulletproof vest on the first mission, and don't forget your watch—make sure you bring it too. To the others, I hope to see you soon.
Clara, the psychic.
P.S. The person who attacked those who spoke badly of Carmilla is one of many out there obsessed with her. Do not expose yourselves to crowds."
Lucius said, "This woman! How can you believe what she says? We won't even be five, because Carmilla doesn't want to be part of our project, and I'm not going to wear a bulletproof vest, no way. I don't know how she does it, but it's a trick. I don't believe in that."
I replied, "I'll only go on one condition… that you wear a bulletproof vest. So if you want to see me at that meeting, you better put one on or I swear I'll never speak to you again. I may be foolish for believing in these things, but I'm not going to risk hearing that someone shot you because you were playing superhero."
Bruce told Lucius, "Clara is serious. She saved the life of Romero, one of those tough detectives who caught more than one serial killer. Clara and he had a relationship and a daughter. The man is a damn legend, and even though they haven't been together for years because she has to keep moving, come on—if Romero says she never misses, I believe him."
Evangelina was overflowing with happiness, partly because her cousin had arrived alone, and partly because I had just confirmed I would join them. Then she shouted, "I've got the name! I know what we'll call ourselves."
A silence fell.
Almost in a whisper, she said, "We're going to catch every one of those bastards… we'll be 'The Vertex.' In an ancient military formation, that was the warrior with the heaviest armor who breaks the enemy line. That meant three things that we have: first, money—heavy armor was extremely expensive, only warriors from noble families could afford it; second, courage; and third… they had a problem no one else dared to face."
I raised my glass and said, "To the Vertex!"
And we all toasted… and inside I thought: what kind of strange spiral of madness have I just thrown myself into?