I shrug. “Most people do.”
He takes another bite. “You gamble?”
“Sometimes.”
He nods, swallowing his bite. “The way I gamble . . . you gotta try and tip the odds in your favor. Load the dice, weight the wheel, count the cards. But after you play your hand—if you lose, it’s over. You cut your losses, walk away from the table. Turning around to take out the dealer only pisses off the casino. Brings unneeded attention, you know what I’m sayin’?”
And I’m pretty sure I do.
Bianco leans back in his chair, regarding me. “So . . . after Gino’s hand plays out, you marry your cute girl, have lots of blue-eyed lawyer babies—and don’t bother looking over her shoulder. We’re not gonna be there.”
• • •
Three weeks later, the verdict is in. I’m right behind Kennedy when the foreman reads it aloud. And I’m the first person she hugs after Gino Moriotti is found guilty on all counts.
Kennedy and I go out and celebrate with the prosecutors and agents who worked the case with her. She drinks vodka. A lot of it. It’s a great fucking night.
And then I pack up my warrior princess and take her home to my castle.
Epilogue
Six months later
“Welcome Saint Arthur’s Class of 2000!”
The high school reunion: one of the most excruciatingly annoying experiences ever invented. You have to get all dressed up to see people you didn’t actually like enough to keep in touch with over the past fifteen years. Men worry if anyone will notice how bald they’re going—and the answer is yes. Women worry if they look the same as they did when they were eighteen. News flash—you don’t. Or, if you do, that’s some toxic fucking voodoo you’re pumping into your veins, so you should stop right away.
Vicki and Brian begged off, using the ultimate ironclad excuse of their kids to get out of going. Kennedy was reluctant too. But after my relentless oral persuasion—and two orgasms—she gave in.
I think it will be good for her to face those ghosts, so she can see that even bullies grow up, and more important, get old. She says she doesn’t need that, but I think deep down, she still carries a tiny open wound from those years. Coming back here, with me, might finally scab it over completely.
And to be honest—I want to be here with her. I want to show her the fuck off—her and the three-carat engagement ring I put on her finger last month. It’s not just because she’s drop-dead gorgeous either. I’d want her on my arm even if she was still wearing those old glasses and braces and big baggy sweaters. Because I’m proud of her—not just how she looks.
And—if everything goes like I think it will—I have an additional ulterior motive for coming back.
Cher blasts from the speakers as Kennedy and I step into the gymnasium, hand in hand. Since our boarding school costs a pretty penny, you’d think the event would have more elegance. Class.
But nope—it’s the typical streamers, dimly lit, candles on the table, occasional strobe lights flashing like we’re in a club, bad DJ, kind of setup. We get a drink from the bar and walk around—mingling with my old lacrosse teammates and even chatting for a few minutes with William fucking Penderghast. He’s a big-time CEO now, with a Victoria’s Secret model for a wife. Good for him.
But we both know I still got the better end of the deal.
“Holy shit, Brent Mason! Come here you handsome bastard!”
I’m accosted by a tan, blond woman in a sequined gown, wearing way too much Chanel No. 5. When she steps back, I see it’s my old girlfriend—Cashmere Champlaine. It’d be nice to say she got what she deserved—that the years hadn’t been kind to the face and body she valued so much. But that just wouldn’t be true. She’s still beautiful, with a tastefully medically enhanced face and a toned body without any obvious fat. I’d heard she’d married a professional football player a few years back, then divorced him. And married one of his teammates.
Her lips peel back in an aggressive smile, revealing glowing, straight teeth. She smacks the lapel of my suit. “How are you, stranger?”
“I’m good, Cazz,” I answer coolly. “How about yourself?”
“I’m amazing! I’m running my own modeling business now out in LA! Everyone thinks they’re going to be the next Giselle—though most of them couldn’t get a hemorrhoid cream commercial without blowing the photographer first. What are you doing with your fine self these days?”
And here’s where that ulterior motive comes into play.
“I got engaged recently.”
Her smile turns forced and her eyes harden. “Really? How nice.”
“It is.” Then I pull Kennedy around from behind me. “My fiancée is Kennedy Randolph. You remember her, don’t you, Cazz?”
Her pretense of good humor drops, melting into an ugly scowl.
“Hello, Cashmere.” Kennedy stares her down, her eyes hard like topaz. It’s similar to her court stance. Fearless.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me!” Cashmere screeches at me. “I knew it! I always knew you had a thing for her! Unbelievable!”
My voice is calm, and deceptively contrite. “Yeah, you’re right. I always did. The thing is, I have a little confession to make.”
“What?”
“I cheated on you, Cashmere. All through boarding school. All those nights when I said I had to practice late or my leg bothered me or I had to study—I was really with Kennedy.” I look right into her angry eyes. “It was always her. Always.”