Explore Her, More of Her

Read Online Explore Her, More of Her by Z.L. Arkadie - Free Book Online Page B

Book: Explore Her, More of Her by Z.L. Arkadie Read Free Book Online
Authors: Z.L. Arkadie
Ads: Link
strange. Do you know he never even mentioned we were related?”
    “He probably thought you should’ve known who he was,” Angelina says. “He’s crazy like that.”
    “Crazy?”
    “Crazy in a good way.”
    “How can one be crazy in a good way?”
    “He’s an artist—an exciting and tormented one.”
    “Tormented?” I ask.
    “You know like, tormented .” I visualize her putting her shoulder into the word “tormented” as she says it.
    “Oh, got it.”
    “He dropped out of college and became hooked on drugs. Then he put his life back together, and now he’s a well-known artist. He makes a lot of money.”
    “He said he’s married. Is he?”
    “I don’t think so, unless it happened in the last two years.”
    “I figured he was just being facetious.” I roll my eyes. “Whatever.”
    “I’m so sorry for putting you on that island. I regretted it the minute I left you lying on that bed. You were knocked out, and I just didn’t want to leave you that way.”
    I sigh as I sit up. “Stop apologizing, Angel. What’s done is done, and you were only trying to help.”
    “But what would happen to all of us if you and Belmont get a divorce?”
    “Who are the ‘all of us’ you’re referring to?”
    “Maggie…”
    “Maggie is like family.”
    “Me and you…”
    I’m taken aback. “Angelina, we’re sisters. Nothing can tear us apart.”
    “I don’t know about that. I’m the one who’s always calling you.”
    “But I just called you .”
    “It doesn’t happen often.”
    I frown and shake my head. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “Like I said, we’re sisters. I’m not going anywhere. I love you.”
    “You say that now.”
    “I know I suck at relationships—well, healthy ones at least—but I’m getting better at them as I sit here and soak in this royal tub.” I spread my hand across the withering suds. “My husband isn’t answering my calls though. Have you heard from him?”
    “No, I haven’t,” she says.
    “What about Charlie?”
    “No. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but there are some stunning allegations against Belmont.”
    I sigh hard. “I heard, but he and I haven’t talked about it. He sent me a text telling me not to worry.”
    “Well, Maggie’s been working on clearing his name, and your friend is attached at her hip.”
    “What friend?”
    “The English guy.”
    “Javar Les?” I flinch, splashing water all over the place.
    “He was in the apartment when we came to get you, and he just sort of latched on to Maggie.”
    I shake my head. “Yes, because he’s a human leech. Maggie’s got to get him off her butt, or he’ll stay there.”
    Angelina chuckles. “He’s actually helping her a lot, and he definitely wants you to know about it.”
    I roll my eyes. “Then Maggie knows where Belmont is?”
    “I don’t think so, Dais. She would’ve called me and said something like ‘Shit, take cover, they’re off the island.’”
    I smirk at her sarcastic humor. “Which didn’t happen?”
    “Didn’t happen.”
    “Okay then...”
    Angelina and I chuckle.
    “I love you,” I say.
    “I love you, too.”
    Angelina agrees to call me as soon as the brothers make contact. I invite her and Charlie to the chateau, but Angelina doesn’t think it’s a good idea for her to see Anton. They apparently had a pretty steamy relationship.  
    I finish my bath and put on a purple spaghetti-strap T-shirt dress. I don’t have my computer or my backpack, two things I never hit the road without. There’s a camera on my new phone, so at least I can take pictures. I put on my sandals, stuff my mouth with more cheese and crackers, and head out. I walk down the grassy hill into the vineyard, snapping away. I love the way the soil feels under my feet. I squeeze the grapes, testing their ripeness. They’re too firm to taste.  
    When I find the winery, I take a gamble and push the barn door, and surprisingly, it opens. I walk among the barrels, snapping shots. I’m

Similar Books

Fairs' Point

Melissa Scott

The Merchant's War

Frederik Pohl

Souvenir

Therese Fowler

Hawk Moon

Ed Gorman

A Summer Bird-Cage

Margaret Drabble

Limerence II

Claire C Riley