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“How did you meet Shade?” I’m curious, and she rolls her eyes. “You don’t meet a man like Shade. He swoops in and carries you off and before you know it, you’re in love with the bastard.”
She sighs and has the same dreamy expression on her face that Serena wears so well.
“I hated him at first. He humiliated me on purpose, and I was the fool who let him.”
“Humiliated you?”
I’m shocked and she shrugs. “To be honest, I was up for anything then. I was looking for adventure and I certainly found it with him.”
“I understand what that’s like—the adventure, I mean.”
Allegra nods toward the others all sitting chatting in the corner of the terrace. “Not one of us is averse to adventure. I expect that’s what brought us here in the first place. What about you? What’s your story?”
I remember what Apollo whispered when he left and I say cagily, “I thought I was going on a trip with a man who would make my brother’s lock me in my room and throw away the key.”
“Sounds like me.” She grins and I sigh.
“He was so different to the guys I usually date. Wild and wicked and so hot it burned my irises just looking at him.”
“You’re talking in the past tense. What changed?”
“I discovered he is in love with someone and it’s not me.”
“That sucks.”
The pity in her eyes makes me smile. “Don’t be sorry for me. I got what I wanted. I’m on a wild adventure and I still don’t know the full story.”
“Why you’re here, I’m guessing.”
Allegra leans back and sighs. “I don’t have all the details, but I understand it concerns your brother. Apparently, he has upset Don Vieri, and that’s a very bad move on his part.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me.”
I think about my brother and sigh heavily. “Troy is ruthless and relentless and probably had a good reason for whatever it is. However, he is impetuous and believes he’s invincible. Perhaps this will teach him to think first and act later.”
“Do you get on?”
Allegra is curious and I nod. “We do. I love my brothers. Both of them. I love my family and we have grown even closer since my father shot himself.”
Allegra’s eyes brim with sympathy and I say with a sad smile. “We all miss him, even though it will take me a long time to forgive him for leaving us.”
“You’re a strong woman, Melissa. I have a feeling you’ll be just fine.”
Serena heads across and drops in the chair opposite and peers at me with concern.
“Are you okay, Melissa?”
“I’m great, thanks.”
She reaches for a glass of wine that she left earlier and drains it quickly. “I hope Alexei makes it back soon. It sucks not being with him.”
Allegra nods. “I’d hate it. As much as I complain about Shade, I’m kind of used to him being there.”
“I can’t relate.” I laugh softly. “Maybe that will be my next adventure. I’ll meet the man of my dreams and understand what you are talking about.”
The two women grin as Ariana stands and I note the guards move with her. Most of the time I forget they are here and yet one movement from their queen, and they move out of the shadows.
“I’m heading to bed. It’s been a long day.”
