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"I can pay for mine.I just hope we get our money's worth."
"It's a gamble, but no risk, no reward."
"That's usually my mantra, but I don't have a good feeling about this, Nick."
He gave her a thoughtful look."Do you want to stay here?"
"Alone?Absolutely not.If you're going, I'm going.I'm just a little worried that we're being set up.The party could be a way to get us out of the house for a specific time period."
"That's true.But staying here won't get us to the truth."
"What time is the party?"
He glanced back at his phone."Five to eight o'clock tonight.Oh…damn.It's black-tie."
She sighed, having brought absolutely nothing with her that would be appropriate."Then it's good we have time to go shopping."
Isabella had thought Nick was sexy in jeans and a T-shirt, but in a black suit and silver tie, he was even more impressive.As her cousin Joelle had mentioned the other day, he had a definite James Bond vibe to him.
"We clean up well," Nick said as they met in the living room.
His gaze ran down her long, champagne-colored gown that fell off her shoulders and hugged her curves.She'd left her hair down but had styled it with long waves, spending a bit more time on her makeup and hair than she normally did.She didn't have any fancy jewelry, so she'd opted to leave her neck bare.Since she still had faint bruises on her neck, she also hadn't wanted to draw attention to that part of her body.
"You look good, too," she told him, realizing they'd been staring at each other for a very long minute."Hopefully, we'll fit in."
"We will.And we paid for the tickets, so no one will throw us out."
"That's true.Let's do this."As she followed Nick to the car, she felt both excited and nervous.While she could go into any high-class event as a reporter and mix and mingle with the rich and famous to get a story, attending a high-class party as just herself was a lot scarier.It was easier when she had a job to do, which reminded her that she did actually have a job to do.She needed to look at this party like any other event she attended in pursuit of the truth.
That thought calmed her down, and she settled into the car with more confidence than she'd had a few minutes earlier.But when they pulled up in front of a magnificent villa, their Fiat sticking out like a sore thumb among the luxury sedans and pricey sportscars, her nerves returned.
"I don't belong here," she muttered, as Nick escorted her to the stairway leading up to a three-story mansion sitting on a hill above them.
"You belong anywhere you want to be," he said, taking her hand.
She wanted to pull her hand away, but how could she after he'd said something so nice?She was a little embarrassed by her clammy hands, though."Sorry, my hands are sweating."
"Mine, too."
"And here I thought you were a better liar," she said dryly.
He gave her a smile."Ready?"
"As I'll ever be."She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin."I just hope we find out something."
"If not, we'll enjoy what I'm sure will be a nice spread of food and first-class cocktails.It won't be a total waste, no matter what happens."
She nodded and walked up the stairs with him.As they got closer to the entry, the villa was even more impressive, with magnificent columns framing the front door.They were greeted by a young woman who checked their names against a list on her tablet, gave them a glossy sheet listing the paintings for sale, and then waved them inside.
They joined a throng of glamorous people moving into the entry.The glittering jewels and scents of expensive perfumes were overwhelming, and she found her fingers tightening around Nick's.She soon realized they'd become part of a receiving line that led to a handsome older man and his beautiful, much younger, wife, a striking blonde dressed in a shimmering blue dress that was studded with crystals.The plunging neckline emphasized her very busty figure.
"These must be our hosts," Nick murmured.
Her tension increased as they neared the very glamorous couple.When it was finally their turn, she forced a smile on her face as they introduced themselves to Dario Micheli and his wife Jennifer Abrams Micheli.
"Caruso?"Jennifer said with a question in her gaze."Are you related to James and Danielle Caruso?"
"Those would be my parents," Nick replied.
