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Malice looked at the letter, took it, and placed it inside his suit jacket. “Are we ready, ladies?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I muttered, taking a quick glance at my daughter as she put her coat on. “You have everything you need, sweetheart?”
“Yep.” My daughter smiled. Malice stepped to the side, allowing me and Sophia to proceed him into the elevator. Looking at my phone, I scanned the several emails and texts messages I’d received since last night and moaned. Why did I allow Virginia to talk me into spearheading the Stone Trust?
“Malice, when is the Foundation Ball this year?”
“July 15th.”
“Do you still use Stacy Lewis to plan everything?”
“Yes.”
“Would you mind if I call her? Virginia talked me into taking over the Stone Trust Gala. Apparently, she’s got too much on her plate, and Tessa can’t do it because she’s too busy at the hospital.”
“Go ahead. Stacy could use the business.”
“Thank you,” I muttered, sending off a quick email to the woman, requesting a meeting, as the elevator door opened. Following his lead, I kept scrolling through my phone as I walked out into the sunny, albeit chilly, morning.
Spring couldn’t get here soon enough. I was tired of bundling up in coats, sweaters, and everything else to keep me warm. I may have lived in this city since I was a teenager, but I was still a southern California girl. Warm weather was my jam, and I was miserable until it returned.
After dropping Sophia off at school, we headed to the Stone Building, where Virginia would be waiting. Even though I was in charge of the Stone Trust Gala, Virginia still spearheaded the Trust, even if it was in name only.
Stepping out of the car sometime later, I kept busy with the multitude of emails and didn’t see the woman rushing over to me. One minute I was knee deep in planning the Stone Gala, the next Malice was pushing me behind him.
“Mrs. Davenport!”
Looking around, I saw a young, pretty blonde woman who couldn’t be no older than mid-twenties rushing over to me. The girl looked so out of place in this city it was unreal. Dressed in only a woolen sweater, standard jeans, and comfortable tennis shoes. There was something familiar about her, but I couldn’t place her.
“Mrs. Davenport, I need to speak with you!”
“Largo, go inside the building. I will take care of this,” Malice ordered firmly, refusing to let the woman near me. Upon furtherinspection of her, she didn’t look like a threat, just an anxious young girl.
Stepping around Malice, I asked, “Do I know you?”
“It’s me. Katie.”
Stumped, I looked up at Malice, who had his signature scowl permanently plastered on his face. “You were told the club would get in touch when we had something.”
“I’m tired of waiting. I want to speak with her myself.”
Taking the lead, I asked, “Who are you?”
Malice faced me. “You really don’t know this woman?”
“I’ve never seen her before in my life. Who is she?”
“I’m Katherine Romano.”
“It’s nice to meet you, but we’ve never met. I don’t see how I can help you.”
“I was dating your brother.”
“You said you were married to him,” Malice challenged.
“What?” I gasped, confused as I looked at Malice, who was slowly shaking my head. There was no way my brother was married. He wouldn’t have kept something like that from the family, let alone me. My brother was many things, but a husband he was not. I was sure of it. Turning to face the woman, I simply replied, “I’m sorry, but you must be mistaken. My brother never married. I think you have the wrong person.”
The young girl scowled, reaching behind her back and producing a small handgun. Pointing it at me, her hand shook as she sneered, “Oh, I have the right person.”
