I might be a thief, but I was smart. Lifting something that expensive would be noticeable. Besides, I didn’t need five million dollars. I wasn’t leaving. My new life was here.
“Arabella has been crying all morning!” Mrs. Grimaldi said dramatically. “You can only imagine how devastated she is to find it missing. Such a special gift from her godparents.”
Yeah, there was no way Arabella was weeping over that hunk of sparkly metal. Not when she said it was just a fancy collar with an invisible leash.
“Magnolia, this is sensitive.” Mrs. Grimaldi’s tone fell flat. “But if the necklace isn’t found, we have no choice but to assume you have it.”
These ladies had no idea how close I was to pitchin’ a fit. I could scream at them. I could throw something, especially at Sanderson’s smug face!
But I kept my head.
It was a freaking miracle.
“I understand,” I said coolly. “This makes me look bad.”
Mrs. Grimadli’s brows rose. “It does. Unfortunately, I have mixed reports on you, Magnolia, so I’m not sure how to assess the situation.”
Mixed reports. Any one of my coworkers would tell her how great I was. There was only one fly in her ear that buzzed about me.
I should squash Sanderson.
“I’ll check her locker, signora,” the witch offered.
I was about to laugh and tell her not to bother, when a stone sank on my chest. The situation became all too clear. The locker was the stupidest place to hide such a prize, but that was exactly where the housekeeper would miraculously find it.
If I tried to stop her, I would look guilty.
If I didn’t, the mafia would think I stole the millions.
Sweat broke over my skin. It was suddenly hard to breathe.
Nico, where are you!
I was proud to be the girl that never needed saving. But if there ever was a time for it, my dark knight needed to show up. Right the fuck now!
“Go ahead,” Mrs. Grimaldi sighed. “Magnolia, please stay here.”
The door to the sunroom opened before I could respond. My pulse jumped. The knight’s name was on the tip of my tongue.
But it wasn’t the Grimaldi prince.
Arabella dashed into the room, breathing hard. She grinned at me. From her outstretched fingertips was the stupid, god-awful necklace.
“Found it,” she panted.
The look on the housekeeper’s face was priceless. Sanderson turned eggplant purple, and her thin lips twisted into the ugliest pout.
“Carina!” Mrs. Grimaldi shot to her feet. “Explain. Now.”
“It was under the armoire,” Arabella said triumphantly. But she wasn’t looking at her godmother.
No, the little princess smirked at the housekeeper.
Pressing the tips of her finger against her forehead, Mrs. Grimaldi sank into her chair. “Such a fuss for nothing. Magnolia, my apologies. But you understand my concern.”
“Absolutely, ma’am,” I responded. The relief was too sweet. This had almost been a nightmare, and I doubted it was over. The bigger threat still lingered in the background. It was only the first attack.
Time to counter it.
