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‘Umm...want to take a wild guess?’
‘An engagement ring? You’re engaged? To Draco?’
Rebel bit her lip and gave a sheepish nod.
A deeper bewilderment etched Contessa’s face. ‘When? And why? Damn it, what’s going on, Rebel? I had no idea you’d even met the guy, never mind were dating him!’
‘It sort of just happened.’
‘A serious rock like this doesn’t just happen. You’ve been evasive these past few weeks.’ She dropped Rebel’s hand, her green eyes wary and hurt. ‘I thought you trusted me?’
‘You know I do.’
Contessa’s gaze dropped to the ring, then back up. ‘Then why won’t you tell me what’s going on?’
Rebel didn’t know Draco well enough to speak with certainty as to how he’d react to her divulging details of their agreement. And she had too much to lose to risk it. ‘Because I can’t. I’m sorry.’
Contessa’s eyes narrowed shrewdly. ‘It’s something to do with your father, isn’t it? And the money he gave you?’ She snapped her fingers. ‘You wanted me to get it all back but you never said why. Does this Draco thing have something to do with it?’
Shame and anxiety engulfed her. ‘Please, I can’t really talk about it. And I’m sorry to have to cut this short but Draco will be here in a minute.’
On cue, her door intercom buzzed.
‘Why? Doesn’t he want you to have friends?’ Contessa snapped. ‘Or are you suddenly ashamed of me?’
‘Don’t be absurd. Of course I’m not ashamed of you. I...we’re going out, that’s all.’
The older woman’s gaze drifted over the moss-green beaded dress and platform heels Rebel wore. ‘I can see that.’ She hitched her stylish tote handbag higher on her shoulder, then sighed. ‘Be careful, Rebel. You’re more than a client to me. And I’d hate myself if you got hurt. You know he represents Rex Glow now? Have you stopped to think he may have had something to do with them dropping you?’
‘Yes, I—’
Contessa shook her head. ‘This engagement...well, all I’m saying is, a man like Draco can give you a lot. But he’ll take more than you’ll want to give.’
Rebel frowned. ‘I know exactly what he wants from me. I don’t intend to give him more than that.’
‘The sport agents’ business is a small world. He’s discreet, I’ll grant him that, but I know a few of the women he’s been involved with in the past. They always believe they’re incapable of being hurt by him, but things always end the same way. With the women emotionally and professionally shattered, and Angelis walking away without a backward glance.’
‘It’s a good thing that you’re in charge of my career, then, isn’t it?’ Rebel said with a forced smile.
‘What about your heart?’
‘I’m fully in control of it. I know you’re worried, but please trust that I know what I’m doing,’ she replied, choosing not to recall the sleepless night she’d spent thinking about Draco, the kiss they’d shared, and the unfurling heat in her belly each time she relived it. Assuring herself it was a simple chemical reaction and therefore didn’t warrant further thought had lost its credibility somewhere between dawn and sunrise. As had telling herself she didn’t really want to know the reason behind Draco’s anguished look when she’d asked about Carla in the moments before he’d walked out.
Both subjects had stayed with her all day and, the closer the time came for her date with Draco, the more uneasy she’d grown.
The intercom buzzed again, ending with a snap of impatience.
Schooling her features, she smiled at Contessa. She knew her friend and manager wasn’t buying her assurances when Contessa stalked past her to the door she’d walked through minutes ago. Collecting her black purse from her bedroom, Rebel rushed after her, cursing as she stopped to lock her front door.
She caught up with Contessa as she was pulling the main door open.
Contessa and a just-arrived, smartly dressed Draco eyed each other. Despite her warning, Rebel watched her friend’s eyes widen a little as she took in the full impact of the man before her. A second later, Draco glanced past her to capture Rebel’s gaze.
‘Good evening, Arabella.’
The sensual curl of her name from his lips sparked a higher charge in her belly. Doing her best to ignore it, she came down the last few steps and stood next to Contessa.
‘Are you going to introduce me to your friend, glikia mou?’ he asked, his voice deep and low.
The endearment reminded Rebel of Draco’s Greek origin, reminded her that she knew next to nothing about him besides the circumstances surrounding the situation they found themselves in. And even then, Draco was hiding far more than he’d divulged.
