Page 66 of Secret Seduction

Vanessa shrugs, but I already know why. Because every child hopes that, one day, their parents will love them. And blocking her will mean there’s no way her mom can redeem herself.

Well, that shit ends today.

Vanessa

This is Lorenzo, Vanessa’s husband. If you ever reach out to my wife again, I will make YOU regret ever being born.

I hit Send, and then I go through the motions of blocking both her and Eric’s numbers. But while I’m doing that, I notice a tracking app.

“Did you put this on there?”

She leans over, her brows furrowed. “I don’t know what that is.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s how Leysa knew where to find us.”

Her eyes go wide.

“Eric might be tracking you.”

I never considered that when she was almost taken during our date. An oversight on my part. All of us have our phones checked by Eddy to ensure they’re clean, but I didn’t think about Vanessa’s phone.

“Oh shit,” she breathes. “I thought my phone was okay since it’s not on their account, but when my mom insisted that I visit, I stayed with them for a couple of weeks before Bri’s wedding.”

I delete the app and then shut off the phone. “I’m going to have Eddy check it out. Hopefully, he can wipe it out, but if he can’t, I’ll get you a new one.”

“But that one’s not paid off yet,” she whines.

“Your safety comes first.” I tip her chin to look at me. “If not for you, let me do this for Leo. He’s with you all day. Do you want to put him at risk?”

Her face softens. “No.”

“Exactly. Do you have any other devices? Your laptop? An iPad?”

“What? You can’t get rid of those, and they’re too expensive to replace.”

“I’m not replacing them. Eddy is the best. He’ll make sure they’re clean. Leave them all with me, and I’ll have it taken care of.” I give her a quick kiss. “Now get dressed. You have plans today.”

Her eyes light up. “What are we doing?”

“Not us,” I correct. The dinner party is a surprise. “You. The other women are waiting to spend the day with you.”

Her face falls, and her plump lips form a pout. “I’d rather spend today with you.”

She reaches out to touch me, and I shake my head, knowing if she does, she’s never making it to the spa.

“Tonight, it’s all you and me. But I want you to enjoy today, and I planned something fun for you.”

“Fine.” She sighs and climbs off me. “But I’ve heard about birthday orgasms, so I’ll be expecting at least two.”

22

Vanessa

“Happy birthday!” Nicole, Dani, Peyton, and Bri shout in unison.

“Thank you.”

I hug each of them, realizing that for the first time, I kind of have friends. Because I didn’t go to college with anyone from boarding school, I didn’t keep in touch with anyone, and even though I’ve gotten to know a few people in college, I’ve been so focused on going to school, interning, and working that I haven’t been the best at making friends.