Return

 After a long debate, I decided to return to New York. Not because I was moving back—I'm still keeping my house in Monterey, and I still had my loft in the city—but because I wanted to visit for a few months. Besides, I did miss Tanya and Eric. Zeus shipped my Rolls Royce to my loft as we took first-class flights back to The Big Apple. 

 When we arrived, I told them to return to their family estate, and they did so with great displeasure. If I had to go through this again, I was sure I would achieve my vengeance on Eve. I might even take her from this world if it came down to it. The bitch deserved it, after all. No matter where I run to, I'll always return here. 

 I sat in my quiet loft, watching the rain fall and listening to it slap against the windows. I missed the sound of the rain, but it was always beautiful in California. 

 "Ivy?" a soft, familiar voice called from behind me. 

 I saw Tanya standing in the doorway, holding a bouquet of red roses. Happy tears formed in her eyes as they did mine. We ran to each other and embraced.

 "You're here!" Tanya whimpered. 

 "I am!" I cried into her hair, "I missed you."

 "I missed you so much!" she cried back.

 She pulled back and began examining me. 

 "I'm okay," I reassured.

 "Oh," she sighed, shaking her head, "We need champagne. Lots of it, and I want to know everything."

 The hard truth came after two hours of crying about how much we missed one another.

 "So, what brought you back to New York? I thought you said you'd never return here again," Tanya reminded. 

 "So I met this guy, Deacon," I started, "I became his model. He claimed he couldn't paint anymore because of some bullshit from his past, but I don't know if that's even true anymore. Anyway, after a few weeks of him trying to paint me, we grabbed drinks, went back to my place, and had sex. Only I don't remember the sex, but it did happen because I was wickedly sore the following day."

 "And?" she pressed.

 "Turns out he's Zeus's younger brother," I confessed. 

 Tanya spewed champagne all over me, and we both burst out laughing.

 "I'm sorry, I think I had a minor stroke," Tanya apologized while helping me remove my clothes, "Did you say he's Zeus's brother?!"

 I reluctantly nodded as she sat back in shock, "Holy shit, this could only happen to you."

 "Right; by the way, where's Eric?" I questioned, "He never replied to my text or calls when I returned.

 Tanya shifted uncomfortably.

 "What?" I pushed.

 Her look turned to worry.

 "Okay, now you're making me panic. What is it?" I asked.

 "He's been staying with Zeus," she gritted.

 "What?!" I growled.

 "I know, it's fucked up. After you left, he started spending a lot of time with Zeus. It's as if he lives with him now. Honestly, I haven't seen him since you left. He won't answer any of my calls either," she explained.

 "What the fuck?" I hissed.

 "I know," she agreed, "I don't know what's going on with him."

 "Well, you're coming with me when I drive up there this weekend, and we can figure that out together."

 "I don't want to go up there."

 "Why not?"

 "I might kill Eve. She hurt you, me, and killed your baby."

 "I might too, so what do you say? Are you in?"

 Tanya thought briefly before clanking her champagne glass to mine, "I'll help you bury the bodies, too."