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“No—!”
But the rest of his words are lost to the gunshot. His body twitches back, limp against the sheets, and bright red blood oozes onto the pillows.
One less Bellasio on the face of this planet.
Good fucking riddance.
I grab the paper and pen from the nightstand and scribble the words that I always suspected I’d have to write to Benedict. Then I walk out with Dima at my back. All three women are standing there, but now they’re at least wearing clothes, more or less.
I march up to the brunette and hand her my note. “Give this to Benedict Bellasio. And tell him where he can find his brother’s body.”
49
TAYLOR
I barely recognize the woman in the mirror.
Blinking slowly, I finger the wispy material of my figure-hugging gown. The pink pearlescent fabric is complemented by the plethora of little Swarovski crystals woven into the neckline, bodice, and skirt. I’ve kept my hair down and my makeup minimal, but I still look like I’m trying to be someone else.
Someone like my sister.
The door opens and Adam runs in. The moment he sees me, he comes to a grinding halt. “Wow, Mama!” he gasps with wide eyes.
On his heels comes Edna, who’s looking a little flushed herself. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” she gasps, sucking in air. “He got away from me.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I assure the nanny. Adam took to her more quickly than I did, but she’s starting to grow on me. I turn to my son, who’s still looking at me like he’s just seen the sun. “What do you think, buddy?”
“You look like a princess!”
“Do you think so?” I laugh.
“Uh-huh. You look so pretty, Mama.”
I lower myself down to a squat and raise my arms so that he can run into them. When he does, I hug him tight and place a kiss on his brow. “Be a good boy for Grandpa while Mama and Auntie Cee go out, okay?”
He ignores my question completely. “Where’s Uncle Illy? He hasn’t come to play with me in ages.”
I stiffen up, painfully aware all the sudden of how the beads of the dress are digging into my ribcage. I’m vaguely aware of rasping, “I’m sure he’ll be back soon, honey.”
Ilarion said he’d be back for Celine’s ball, but I haven’t seen him nor heard from him since he left. Last I checked, Celine hasn’t, either, and I don’t want to pester her any more than I already have.
“Mama, did you find the present Grandpa left for you?”
“Present?”
“Yeah, he left you a present in your closet.”
I frown, bewildered. “When?”
“This morning,” Adam insists. “He said—"
“Ah good, you’re dressed. Dad will meet us by the front door in ten minutes,” Celine interrupts as she sweeps into my room in her own gorgeous gown. “Now, let me look at you. Oh, Adam, sweetheart, don’t crush Mommy’s dress.”
I straighten up reluctantly and let her survey me.
“Stunning,” she proclaims. “Although, the hair… Shall I get my stylist in here? She can—”
“I’m good,” I insist as I take in her nude lace ballgown. “You look fabulous, by the way.”
