Knowing the crack is about Troy, I give her my best bitch face. "Troy's perfect, so feel free to shut the fuck up."
Laughing loudly, Minka claps her hands. "Look at the fierce bitch hiding in you."
"Don't talk shit about my man," I say, trying to sound tough but laughing by the last word.
My perfect man appears a few hours later. While Harlow leaves so she can reunite with Rafael, Minka disappears so quietly I never see her go. Then again, I can only see Troy standing at the doorway.
Fighting the urge to run to him, I sigh. "I didn't think you could be as perfect as I dreamed, but you're better."
"I was just going to say the same to you."
Troy locks the door and sets his bag on a table. I watch him cautiously, wondering if something's changed. Does he still love me?
"Did I mention Saskia's generosity?" he asks without approaching me.
Feeling exposed with him standing so far away, I wrap my arms around my body and shake my head.
"Locke tried to hire her friend but ended up communicating with Saskia. Now he's gone, but two hundred and fifty thousand dollars of his money remains in an account she set up under your name. It's enough money for you to start a new life where you're not dependant on Vernon," he says and then exhales hard. "Or me."
"Are you ending things now that the job's over?" I ask, backing away.
Troy gives me a frown that answers my question even before he speaks.
"I'm blond, but I'm not a fucking ditz. A few days away didn't make me forget I love you," he grumbles while scratching at his scar. "I wanted you to know you have options. You can walk away from everything and survive without depending on anyone else."
"But you still want me?"
Troy moves quickly towards me, and I instinctively back away. He pins me to a wall and nuzzling his lips against my hair.
"I like this style," he says, pressing his hips against mine.
Stroking his chest, I stare into his hungry blue eyes. "Did you get hurt? I should do a spot check, just in case."
"I'm kissing you now."
Troy isn't kidding. His lips cover mine and steal my breath. Tighter, I wrap him in my arms, wanting to feel his heart beating. His embrace is hot and desperate. Wrapping my hair in his fingers, he holds me still. His tongue tastes and tempts mine. Soon, I'm clawing at his clothes, needing him naked under my fingertips.
"I want a real reunion," I say, tugging him towards the bedroom.
"You got addicted quickly," he murmurs, giving me an arrogant smirk. "Who could blame you?"
Breathing too fast to be casual, I already imagine him inside me. The thought makes me shudder with anticipation.
"I need to shower first," he says, throwing cold water all over my hot desire.
"You smell great."
"I'm sweaty from the hundred degree heat. Let me clean off."
"Why? You're only going to get sweaty again with me."
Troy smiles at my expression but makes a beeline to the shower. "It's a mental thing. I came back from a job and feel as if I need to wash it off."
I stare at him for a long time, and Troy waits for me to react.
"I look forward to you naked and at my disposal," I say finally.
Giving me a wink, Troy disappears into the bathroom. The shower turns on, and steam from the hot water seeps out of the partially open door.
As I change into my nightgown, I pause and really embrace Troy's return. Taking a deep breath, I realize I hadn't truly believed he would come back to me. Am I truly this blessed? My tormentor is dead, and my love is safe.
Rather than wearing my nightgown, I finish stripping and slide on a fluffy pink robe Shelley brought me. Troy showers for nearly ten minutes, scrubbing away the memories of his work. I don't think about what he did to Locke. I want to forget the bastard ever existed. I'm truly free now, and I want to make the most of this new life.
A naked Troy appears from the bathroom rubbing a towel against his damp hair. I smile at the sight of him. Not because he's beautiful, but because he loves me.
"You didn't finish while I was showering, did you?" he asks, tossing the towel back into the bathroom.
Shaking my head, I stand and walk to where he waits near the bed.
"I want to show you something."
Troy looks instantly worried. Shaking and clearly scared, I step back when he tries to comfort me.
"Locke is dead," I say and Troy nods. "I'm not dead. I have a second chance, and I'm going to grab onto it and never let go."
Swallowing hard, I untie my robe. Nothing happens for a moment, and I nearly chicken out. Troy watches me with a blank expression, hiding his concern well. I would never know he was tense if I didn't see him scratching at his leg the way he wants to do to his scar.
I take a deep breath and open the robe until it hangs from my shoulders.
"Darla," he says softly.
I know he's saying I can stop, but I really can't. Locke stole my confidence, and only I can take it back. Dropping the robe, I stand completely exposed before the man I love.