She’d never realized how sweet revenge would taste, but it tasted fucking spectacular, especially when she clicked back to her email and read the last line from Clay. I had my friend track him down in Jamaica, and I called the IRS to turn him in.
The only thing that tasted better was the next note from Clay. A separate email, also sent a few hours ago. She only noticed it after she stopped dancing on her bed. She dropped back down to the mattress and read more of his words.
from: [email protected]
date: June 7, 10:52 PM
subject: You
Just remember this, for what it’s worth. I adore you. Absolutely, completely, with everything I have. I will give you everything, all my heart, all my love, anything you want. You mean more to me than I ever imagined. Being without you is hell.
Without thinking, she clicked over to her texts to call up his number and ring him, but the reflection of the red numbers in the mirror stopped her. It was after one in the morning here, so it was the middle of the night in New York. He’d be sound asleep. But someone else she knew and loved was wide awake. Someone who knew a little something about big gestures herself.
She called McKenna, who answered immediately. “It’s late. Are you okay?”
“Everything is perfect. Or it’s going to be after I see you. I’m on my way over.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Her back was smashed against the Qbert machine, and her hands were raised in front of her face. McKenna had landed another punch to the ribs, then one to her shoulder. And now, it was coming: the noogie. Her sister grabbed her hair, and dug her knuckles into Julia’s head.
“Don’t ever, ever, ever do that again!”
“Okay, okay, okay,” Julia said, relenting for the twentieth time.
McKenna backed off, huffing. “I would have helped you,” she said, her eyes on fire with frustration. “I would have given you the freaking money like that.” She snapped her fingers in emphasis. “That’s why you deserve to be beaten up. You’re supposed to let your big sister help you.”
“I know, McKenna. Trust me, I know,” she said, placing her hand on her heart. “But I had to keep you safe. Don’t you get it? I love you and I love Chris, and I’d do anything to protect your happiness.”
“Including not telling me a frigging mobster had a price tag on your head and was waving guns in your face?”
Julia lifted her shoulders casually. “Technically, the gun was never waved at me.”
McKenna pushed her hands roughly through her blond hair. “I’m soooo mad at you. I love you so much, and if anything had happened to you and I could have solved the problem, I would have died. Do you know that? Died! Like this,” McKenna said, then flopped down on the floor, and played dead for effect. Ms. Pac-Man trotted over and licked McKenna’s face.
She craned her neck up at Julia. “See? Do you feel bad now? I would have been dead without you, and my dog would be sad.”
Julia kneeled down and offered a hand, pulling McKenna to a sitting position. McKenna flung her arms around Julia’s neck. She’d always been prone to theatrics. “Promise me,” her sister said, “that if you ever get in a pickle with the mob again you will come to me right away, and I will pay whatever you need.”
Julia laughed, but nodded into her sister’s hair. “Promise.”
“Pinky swear?”
“Pinky swear,” she said as they twisted their little fingers together. “But, um, that’s not actually why I came here.”
McKenna rolled her eyes. “I know. You need my special touch, and I know just how to pull this off. But I’m paying for it, and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.”
“Fine. But only because you want to.”
“And we’re going to need Chris’s help.”
“Somebody call my name?” Chris said, walking bleary-eyed down the hall, wearing only his lounge pants.
“Did you actually wake up when I said your name?” McKenna asked.
“No,” he said, rubbing his hand against his eyes. “I’m pretty sure it was the ‘Don’t ever do that again’ screeching that rousted me at three in the morning.”
“We need your help.”
“Is this another crazy scheme of yours, McKenna?” he asked arching an eyebrow.
“Yes, but it’s in the name of love, and isn’t love worth everything?”
He looped his arms around his wife and planted a kiss on her cheek. She leaned into it, and smiled. Julia didn’t feel jealous. Not one bit. She had that in her life. Waiting for her on the other side of the country. “Of course,” he said.
“I’m going to miss you so much,” Julia said.
“I’m going to miss you too. But we’ll see each other.”
“We will.”
“And don’t worry about a thing. I’ll take care of everything. Every-single-thing. Now go.”
Julia wrapped her sister in one final hug, and then said goodbye as the sun rose over San Francisco.
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 9:45 AM
subject: You too
I would have called you last night when I read your note, but it was one-thirty in the morning my time, and I didn’t want to wake you up. But I was over the moon! I literally danced on my bed, and screamed with happiness. Does that make me an awful witch for celebrating a man’s potential incarceration? I hope not. And I can’t think of a better present. Well, I can think of a better present . . .
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 6:47 AM
subject: Late-night calls
Did I somehow give you the impression I would be unreceptive to a middle of the night call from you? I’d answer anytime. Be ready anytime. I am always ready.
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 10:12 AM
subject: Ready or not?
I didn’t want to be rude and wake you up. But what you did is amazing. I can’t believe you found him. Wait. I can believe it. You are some kind of master fixer.
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 7:27 AM
subject: Call me Mr. Fix-It
I can fix things around the house too. I am very good with my hands.
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 10:52 AM
subject: Yes. You are.
I believe I am well acquainted with your manual dexterity.
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 8:01 AM
subject: Come again
You should get reacquainted with it.
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 11:20 AM
subject: Your note from last night . . .
So . . . this whole adoration thing . . . are we talking pedestal, shrine or just overall worship level?
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 8:31 AM
subject: More than worship
You are adored on every level. I can’t even joke about it because it’s all too true.
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 11:48 AM
subject: Exciting news!
I won a contest for my Purple Snow Globe!
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 9:07 AM
subject: As you predicted the night I met you
Tell me more.
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 12:32 PM
subject: Be my attorney
Big drink company offered me a contract. I might need a lawyer to look at the fine print.
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 9:48 AM
subject: Waiving my fee
I’ll do it for you. You can pay me in blow jobs.
from: [email protected]
date: June 8, 1:05 PM
subject: My kind of payday