A small spark of warmth kindles in my chest. Fina might be in my enemy’s camp, but I feel a connection with her. I have a feeling that when push comes to shove, she’ll be on my side.
Just as I’m about to suggest we take a dip in the lovely pool, a familiar figure strolls in. My muscles lock and my pulse spikes as she glides toward me like she didn’t torpedo my life for her own personal gain.
“Vivian,” I grind out when she stands at the foot of my recliner. I note the expensive highlights in her hair and her suspiciously smooth visage. For a woman pushing forty, she looks good.
“Ah, my dear stepdaughter. How lovely to see you. I heard you’d returned from your extended vacation.” She smiles down at me, but there’s no warmth in her eyes.
My gaze snags on the obscenely large pink diamond on her wedding finger, then I notice a wedding band. Has she remarried? If so, to whom?
She sees me looking and smiles.
“Are you planning to off this husband too?” I smile like it’s a joke question, but Vivian knows I’m not joking.
“Don’t be so disrespectful, Chiara.” She tuts loudly. “It’s a miracle I found a man willing to take you, given how lackingin decorum you are. I blame your father. He spoiled you.” Her words stab me in the chest.
“My father didn’t spoil me. He barely looked at me once he met you! And the only reason I cooperated with the wedding was because of Coco, and you still gave her away.”
Fina turns in confusion. “Coco?”
“My dog. My wicked stepmother told me my dog was safe if I did as I was told. Only she lied.”
Fina looks stricken. “What happened to Coco?”
“No idea. She was gone when I woke on the morning of my dream wedding.” I fight back against the tears that threaten to overwhelm me. There’s not much that breaks me these days, but losing Coco was almost as bad as losing my father. Although, in truth, I lost him the day he met Vivian.
“Oh, Chiara, I’m so sorry.” She reaches out and squeezes my hand briefly before glaring at Vivian.
“Please go.” This version of Fina is not one I’ve seen before, and I like her. She’s a ball-busting goddess on steroids.
“Excuse me? As Tim’s wife, I have a membership here.” My stepmother taps her foot in annoyance. “I came over to pay my respects, but I will not be leaving until I’m ready.” She stares down at us with a haughty expression, but Fina isn’t messing around. She picks up her phone and makes a call. Before Vivian can open her mouth to spew more bullshit, Matteo appears. He glances at us in our thick toweling robes and then at Vivian. I see the moment recognition sparks.
“Please escort this woman out,” Fina orders in her most imperious tone.
Matteo nods. “My pleasure, ma’am.”
“What? No, you can’t do this! You have no right!” Vivian tries to snatch her arm from Matteo’s grasp, but he’s a foot taller and far stronger. She doesn’t stand a chance against him.
I sigh as my stepmother’s outraged yells fade away until all I can hear is the sound of water cascading down the wall into the pool.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Fina grins before her smile fades. “I’ll see if I can find out what she did with your dog.”
Vivian is vindictive enough to have had Coco euthanized. I can’t think about that without wanting to murder the bitch, and unless I feel like spending the rest of my days in federal prison, that’s not an option.
Still, a girl can dream.
When we return to the mansion, Angelo’s sleek black sports car is outside the main entrance. My muscles tense at the thought of yet another confrontation. I’m really not in the mood for his brand of bullshit after my run-in with Vivian.
“Sorry, but I can’t stay,” Fina says regretfully when Matteo stops the car. “I have some work to catch up on.”
“It’s fine. I can entertain myself.” There are more books to read. TV shows to binge on. It’s hardly the stuff of dreams, and I’d kill for something cerebral to do right now, but what choice do I have?
“I’ll be in touch,” she tells me before the car pulls away, leaving me standing on the gravel driveway. Several guards walk across the lawn, all of them ignoring me. Would they chase if I tried to run?
I’d test that theory, only my energy levels are at zero. A nap is in order. Followed by a pizza or something equally calorific.
With a grumble of irritation at having to deal with my husband, I head inside. Angelo’s snooty butler ignores me as usual when I pass through the entrance hall.
