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How can he talk about it so casually? We could be discussing the results of last night’s ball game or something; he’s that removed. It doesn’t even occur to him that it might hurt my feelings a little, the idea of somebody I thought was my friend being so intent on taking my husband away.
He’s not wrong, though. I saw the way she looked at him. I might not have a lot of experience with men, but I know women very well. I’ve done a lot of observation in my life. The way she changed, her posture and her expression, all of it, told me immediately she had only one thing on her mind—even without considering how she changed her attitude about coming over here so quickly once she got a look at him. What, did she think I married some loser? Probably. The second she found out otherwise, however…?
“You figured all of that out without ever talking to her, did you?” I mutter, folding my arms.
“Girls like her aren’t hard to read. And this isn’t my first time at the rodeo. She’ll be easy enough to manipulate, don’t worry about that.”
“I’m not worried.”
“Good. Because this isn’t over yet.” He’s wearing a wide, almost happy smile when he picks up my phone and hands it back. “Go ahead. You have an invitation to extend. Everything will be all set for Miss Elena when she shows up tomorrow night. And you’ll get your revenge.”
It isn’t my revenge he’s thinking of, not while he has that bloodthirsty look in his eye. I almost felt good about this until I saw that look because I know what it means. He wants to hurt her. And while she’s not exactly my favorite person, I don’t know that I want her to be hurt, either. Not the way I know he’ll be able to manage it.
It’s too late now. He’s already set on this, so I have no choice but to do as he said and text Elena back.
Me:Dinner is at 7:00 tomorrow. Just to let you know, we usually dress up for it.
Thinking fast, I type out another message.
Me:It’s a habit he picked up from his family. I guess they were always kind of formal. Don’t worry, not black tie or anything, but maybe cocktail or nicer.
I include the address and send the text, hoping it does the trick.
And it does.
Elena:I can’t wait.
Me:Neither can we.
24
ENZO
Never in my life have I felt so much like a spider, waiting in my web for my prey to become ensnared.
Everything is perfect. Our food is keeping warm in the oven. The dining room is set beautifully, complete with flowers I ordered this morning as a finishing touch.
“What do you think?” Alicia steps back from the table, her head tipped to the side as she studies her handiwork. She needed something to do today to keep her occupied. My impulse was to lock her in her room as punishment for what she pulled yesterday, but I decided against it at the last moment after giving it some honest thought. I need her feeling good tonight—nervous, I have no doubt, but she can’t be resentful or distant. I need her fully with me if we’re going to pull this off.
If Elena grew up in the Alvarez family, even along the fringes, she’ll be able to smell trouble right away. I won’t pretend I’m not appealing, especially when I put my mind to it, but even I might not be charming enough to compensate for my wife’s unease.
I look over the table and nod. “Nice work. We’ll play up how careful you were with the setting tonight, make it seem like you do this all the time but wanted it to be special for your friend. The happy little housewife wanting to show off how lucky she got.”
“And what will you be doing during all of this?”
There’s an edge to her voice I can’t help but respond to, right or wrong. “I’ll be flirting with her, obviously. I might take her on the table between courses.”
“Cute.”
“A little finger banging after the salad course never hurt anybody.” She rolls her eyes and folds her arms, and for a moment, I feel a twinge of guilt. I have no intention of doing any such thing, but she doesn’t know that. I’ve kept it that way on purpose, haven’t I? Because she’s the liar responsible for my grandfather’s assassination. Isn’t she?
“You know I won’t do that,” I confess with a sigh. “But she needs to think I will. We want her defenses down.”
“In other words, I’m going to have to sit here and take it while she tries to seduce you.”
“Have you always harbored jealous tendencies, or is this new?”
Her eye roll screams derision. “Please. It’s insulting, end of story.”
