Page 105 of Angel

It was a distinct possibility, but I was keen to love and cherish him better than my sister ever had.

Angel’s rasp broke through my thoughts.

‘Rox, prepare yourself for some entitled nastiness. Some of these billionaires and celebrities, including Senna Zavros, are cads and creeps in real life, hiding behind clean suits and expensive smiles.’

I got the memo and let Senna’s name drop, but I thought it was sweet how possessive Angel was on hearing about my crush.

Even though I’d confessed my love to him, he still seemed to have no idea he was my ultimate infatuation.

After a few more hours, the jet touched down.

The second the cabin door opened over the tarmac, the humid summer heat of southern France hit our faces.

We and our luggage rushed into two blacked-out Mercedes vans.

With aircon pumping, our ride crept through dense traffic as mopeds darted between rows of sleek sports cars lining the palm-fringed Boulevard de la Croisette.

The Mediterranean Sea stretched out to the horizon like a sheet of brilliant turquoise glass, dotted with white mega-yachts glittering under the blistering afternoon sun.

Our hotel, the Mondrian Cannes, was a vision of boutique elegance overlooking the French Riviera.

The bijou palace of polished alabaster marble and ornate gold trim buzzed with photographers, paparazzi, and linen-clad tourists mingling near the grand entrance.

We only had a three-hour turnaround before we had to get ready for the gala, so we moved to our rooms.

Angel and I got a double-bedroom suite, sharing a sumptuous living room and balcony with sightlines to the stunning sea.

After unpacking, we got a knock at the door.

I opened it to a concierge holding a huge monogrammed box.

They delivered a message with the package, which I read out to Angel.

‘It seems a famous Italian concept designer, LLANO X, has sent dresses for the event for Sofia and me.’

Angel arched a brow.

‘Damn Di. She’s probably reached out to designers with word that Jude and Angel from Six Sinners brought their wives on the trip. So she must have got them to ship the clothes to get some publicity.’

‘Can we wear them?’

Angel shrugged. ‘If you like them, don’t see why not.’

After a call to Sofia, I headed into her and Jude’s room to unbox our package and explore the show-stopping haute couture ball gowns.

‘Oh my god, Roxy, look at these,’ Sofia whispered in awe, unzipping one of the thick, cream garment bags with wide eyes. ‘They did not hold back.’

‘They really didn’t,’ I laughed as I opened another. ‘Which one are you thinking?’

‘This one for me, hands down,’ Sofia said, pulling out a sculptural gold gown.

I chose a concept black silk dress, which radiated pure glamour and sophistication.

‘Then this is mine.’

I escaped into the bathroom to change while Sofia tried on her dress in her bedroom.

Minutes later, I stepped into my ensemble, the midnight-black silk fitting like a glove around my waist before cascading to the ground in a sleek, liquid pool.