I spent most of the week in London because I had a double hit—two brothers. Apparently, they were leading a trafficking point near the harbor, shipping girls from America to Ireland before they were put on a new transport ship to London.

I was paid extra to make them suffer—so they didn’t die from bullets.

But torture.

Having the work was a respite for me because forgetting about Vanessa wasn’t easy.

It wasn’t possible, actually.

When I returned to Milan, I almost considered going back to London and starting over. This entire city reminded me of her, and I hadn’t stepped foot inside her art room at my apartment because I couldn’t bear to look at her leftover supplies and easels.

I couldn’t stand to see her absence.

It’d been over a month, and I hadn’t been with another woman. The idea didn’t sound appealing to me, but now that I knew we were truly finished, I knew I had to get back out there. Sinking into warm pussy might make me feel better.

Even if that pussy wasn’t Vanessa’s.

Max called me when I’d been home for about an hour. “How’d it go?”

“The same as usual.”

“So you got both brothers?”

“Yeah.”

“And documentation to prove it wasn’t a swift kill?”

“Got it on video.”

“Great. So what are you doing now? Catching up on sleep?”

I hated sleeping. I thought about Vanessa until the darkness descended, and then I dreamed of her beautiful green eyes. A part of me wished I could erase her completely so I could move on with my life.

But I knew I would never want to lose those memories.

“I’m going out. Hitting a bar or something.” I could pick up a woman, fuck her, and try not to think about Vanessa, just to get the first lay out of the way. It would get easier after that. After several dozen women, I would probably stop thinking about Vanessa altogether.

“I’ll join you. It’s been a while since we’ve done something besides talk about work.”

“You know that’s all we ever talk about.”

Max and I got inside quickly and moved through the crowd of people. Women wore heels and short dresses, and the guys were dressed in collared shirts and slacks. I wore a t-shirt despite how cold it was outside, wanting to show off my ink.

It was always a conversation starter.

We hit the bar and ordered our drinks.

“Did they beg?” Max asked.

“They always beg.” I skipped the beer and immediately went for scotch, needing something stronger these days. Beer just didn’t cut it anymore. My arms rested on the bar, and I spotted a woman in the corner. With dark hair and brown eyes, she reminded me a little of Vanessa. She had a petite waistline in her skintight black dress, long legs, and an obvious aura of confidence.

She was definitely my type.

“I just got the funds into my account. I’ll wire them to you in the morning.”

“Works for me. No rush.” I didn’t just do that kill for the money—but for the distraction. When my eyes turned back to the woman, I saw her looking into my eyes. Her brown eyes settled on mine, warm like coffee in comparison to the ice in mine. Her friends continued the conversation, but she seemed more interested in me.

“So, what’s up with you and Vanessa?”

The mention of Vanessa shattered my eye contact. I turned back to Max, no longer thinking about the woman I would probably take home tonight. “I’m not seeing her anymore.”

“You aren’t?”

I shook my head. “We’re over.”

Max stared at me in surprise, both of his eyebrows raised. “You alright?”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, my voice packed with bitterness and pain.

“So…you aren’t alright.”

“She doesn’t want to be with me, and that’s just fine. She can do whatever she wants.”

He patted me on the back sympathetically. “I’ve never seen you be with one woman for so long. I know this must be tough for you.”

“I’m fine,” I said for the millionth time. “I’m going to find a beauty to take home tonight, and I think I already know who it’s going to be.”

“Yeah?” he asked. “Who?”

I nodded to the corner. “Brunette in black. She’s got curly hair.”

Max turned to the bar and took a drink as his eyes flicked in her direction. “You’re right. She’s cute.”

“She’s more than cute.”

He turned back to me. “Then go for her.”

“I’m gonna wait a bit. If I move too quickly, it comes off desperate.”

“I guess.”

“What about you?” I asked. “See anyone you like?”

He leaned against the counter and looked across the packed bar, seeing people gathered around the tables and couches. The lights were low, and some women were wearing dresses that were so short their ass cheeks hung out. I liked seeing skin, but not everything.

“There’s too many to choose from,” Max said. “I’ll wait until a lady comes to me.”

“Like that will ever happen.”

He shot me a glare. “A woman will come to me quicker than they’ll come to you.”

“You willing to put money on that?”

“Hell yeah.” He extended his hand. “Five hundred bucks.”

I took his hand. “You’re done.”

“Alright.” Max drank his beer again, a slight smirk on his face.

My eyes moved to the brunette making eyes at me, but she was gone. Her friends were gone too. They probably moved to another place in the club. Maybe another guy made a move. Maybe she’d forgotten me as quickly as she noticed me.

I turned in another direction, and that’s when I noticed she was coming my way. Her eyes were locked on me, and she had a nice smile, perfect teeth contrasting against red lipstick. “Looks like you owe me five hundred bucks.”

He didn’t register my words because he seemed more absorbed in something else going on near the entryway. “I’m pretty sure Vanessa just walked in here.”

I immediately severed eye contact and looked over my shoulder. My heart quickened instantly because I needed more blood to my muscles, needed more adrenaline to the rest of my body. Even without seeing her, just the idea of her presence stole my complete attention. “Where?”

“She’s wearing teal. She’s with two other girls.”

My eyes found the only woman wearing teal, and I confirmed what Max had just said.

It really was her.

She was out with some girls, probably friends from school. I turned back to Max, knowing the woman who was interested in me was heading right this way. My first instinct was to walk away and blow her off and head to Vanessa, but then I remembered that us being in the same room together didn’t change anything.

We were over.

This was my life now.

I was here to pick up a woman, and Vanessa was here to pick up a guy.

As depressing as it was, it was the truth.

I had to let it be.

Max turned his gaze back to me. “What are you going to do?”

I watched the woman get closer and closer, eagerness written all over her face. “I’m going to win this bet.”