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I gagged and swallowed.
She had a shark-like gaze and a soulless smile on her lips. She tucked an arm over her flat chest and lifted the other to her chin. “Oh, Mariana, what’s wrong? You don’t look so good.”
“It’s work.” My response was quick and forward. I shrugged a shoulder and released a breathy, shaky laugh. “You know how it gets in here. Some days are busy, and some are not. Today is a busy day.”
How would I tell her the real reason for the dark, gloomy cloud hovering over my head? When the reason, in question, was her fiancé?
I didn’t need proof to know Sophia was crazy; she bared her canine like an animal waiting for the perfect moment to pounce on prey.
“Work?” Her thin brows rose high on her forehead and she flicked her hair over her shoulders. “That means you might probably pass out after you’re done with me.”
I mimicked the highbrow on her face and she beat a hand across the air.
“I brought more work.”
Great.
We walked through the hallway, slowly inspecting some standard pieces—that she didn’t like—until we got to the painting I’d been dusting before I’d rushed into the bathroom.
A purple cloth lay crumpled up on the floor, beneath the colorful distorted seashell painting. I crouched to pick it up.
“I like this one.”
I rose up and looked at the piece. Then, I turned to her. “It’s not on sale.”
“But I want it.” The fire in her dark eyes slowly kindled.
I held the urge to snort and roll my eyes. Of course, she wanted it. I had learned my lesson, and grown used to her wanting things that were not hers. Then again, whoever said Vlad belonged to anyone?
He wasn't mine. Though I certainly wished he was.
The thoughts were not helping. I blinked and blinked, and settled my gaze on her. She lifted her finger and tapped on the piece, inspecting it with narrowed eyes.
I opened my mouth to say something about not touching the piece but clamped it shut again. A huge diamond rock glinted on the finger that touched the piece.
It was beautiful and looked like it cost an arm and a foot. But Vlad didn’t look like the type of man to drop on one knee and propose to a Barbie with blood-red lips.
“You like it?”
“What?” I’d been distracted again.
She waved her hand in front of my face, turning her hand back and forth to show off the rock. “It’s pretty, isn’t it?” She gushed. “I got it atNadia’s. Cost a million bucks, but who cares? After we get married, I could give it back in an hour, if I wanted to.”
I held back a grin, feeling a small spread of relief that I was right. She’d gotten the ring for herself.
“Congratulations,” I said dryly and flashed a small smile.
“Thanks. That reminds me, I brought you something.” If there was another thing I’d learned about Sophia Russo, it was that she couldn’t be trusted.
She eyed me closely and stretched a hand out to the brawny bodyguard behind her. He handed her a smooth white envelope. Whatever was in that envelope could probably wipe out an entire village. With Sophia, that seemed possible.
Instinctively, I took a step back.
“Here,” she extended her hand. “It’s for you.”
I took it from her grasp and ripped open the envelope. A white card with gold linings peeked through and I pulled it out. Only two words caught my eye.
Invites … you.
