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Sofia glanced back, her gaze skimming over my body before she grabbed a few more clothes and shoved them into Celia’s arms, though the woman seemed to want to focus solely on her. At the same time, the other two saleswomen rushed back and forth, taking clothes back to the dressing room when any of the wives had anything in their hands.
“All right, Summer.” Sofia motioned for me to follow her. I hadn’t touched any of the clothes because it wasn’t a store I could afford to shop in. Honestly, if I did, I was afraid I would snag something and be forced to pay all of the money I’d made working for Luc, which hadn’t been much. At least not yet. That bonus he’d tacked on had my mouth watering.
“I didn’t plan on buying anything, Sofia.” I longingly fingered a pale-pink cashmere sweater. “Coming with you all was what I wanted most. It’s been so fun getting to know you and the others.”
She leaned against the doorjamb of the spacious room, arms crossed over her chest. “Hm, well, we’ve enjoyed spending time with you too. But Luc needs a little wake-up call where you’re concerned. Try the clothes on. Come out when you’ve got them on so I can see.”
I held my breath as I flipped the price tag then choked on spit—because I was talented like that. “Um, no. I can’t afford these.”
“You’re not.” Sofia winked as she turned to go. “Luc is. Chop-chop, Summer. We have plenty of time but not all day. They guys will get restless and want to know what we’re up to.”
Shaking my head, I shut the door, shed my clothes, then slipped the feathery sweater over my head and donned the formfitting pants. When I glanced in the mirror, I didn’t recognize myself. The woman staring back at me was elegant, sophisticated, and sexy. That ache that had started on the car ride here was back in full force. I wanted to be what I saw in the reflection. With a sigh—because I knew these clothes cost more than I could afford in good conscience, even with Luc’s promised bonus—I opened the door to Sofia, Lil, Emiliana, and El as they lounged on the couches, champagne glasses in hand.
They fawned over me, and Sofia demanded I hand over the outfit once I changed out of it. I did as she asked then tried on the next and the next until I had a growing pile of clothes Sofia whisked away and passed to Celeste.
I was exhausted by the time I’d finished trying everything on and joined them on the couches, declining a glass of champagne. My stomach had been a bundle of nerves lately, and I didn’t think that would help.
El disappeared then returned a few minutes later. “I had Celia charge everything to Luc’s card, and the staff loaded the bags into the SUVs.”
I worried my lip uneasily. That had to have been a substantial amount of money.What if he makes me pay him back for it?When El caught my expression, she laughed.
“Summer, you don’t need to worry about how much that costs. Luc needs a kick in the ass for the way he’s treated you so far.”
“Well, maybe not for the night we spent together.” It slipped out, and I slapped my hand over my mouth.
“You do like him!” Lil exclaimed then rubbed her hands together while Emiliana laughed. “Wait until he sees you in your new clothes. He won’t know what hit him.”
“I—”
Emiliana’s phone rang, cutting me off. She answered then fell silent. A fierceness settled over her features when she straightened, which made me want to run and take cover. The others reacted around me, gathering their belongings and unsheathing their guns so that they were loose by their sides.
When Emiliana hung up, Sofia snapped, “What happened?”
“We need to head back.” Emiliana’s eyes met mine. “There’s a threat, and it’s about Summer—the Amato family demanded we hand her over.”
CHAPTER TEN
SUMMER
Amato. New York Mafia. The name screamed through my mind, froze time, and left me suspended on a precipice.
That damn online picture with Edward Cartier.
The wives surrounded me and pressed close, forming a barrier, weapons drawn. Tremors wracked my body. I didn’t want to die.
“Summer,” El snapped, “stay focused. We’re moving out now.”
I nodded, fear choking me. Lil pressed a hand to my back, urging me forward. We moved as one. I vaguely noticed Celia and the other women who’d helped us huddling near the back end of the sales desk. I couldn’t meet any of their eyes—I’d brought danger to them. Instead, I reached a hand out and clutched the back of Emiliana’s sweater, as she was in front of me. Sofia and El kept pace on either side, completing the diamond shape they’d formed.
The jingle of the bell overhead as we passed through the door blared in the silence. Guards flanked us as they scanned the area and the surrounding buildings. We moved quickly, and before I knew it, I was shoved into one of the SUVs. Emiliana sat beside me, but the others did not. Two security guards were in front, one in the back with us. I was in the middle.
I placed my palms on top of my thighs, not knowing what to do with my hands. “Where’s everyone else?”
“Lil, Sofia, and El are in the Maserati.” Emiliana squeezed my hand. “They’ll be right behind us.”
Nausea churned in my gut as bile rose. “Are you turning me over to the Amatos?”
“What?” Shock widened Emiliana’s almost-black eyes, and I was able to take my first breath at the sign of her disbelief. “No, Summer. We’re getting you back to the house, where we can protect you better. There’s a full staff of guards there, not to mention the guys. No one will get to you. We won’t allow it.”
