At first, it’s just a sense that someone’s here. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I don’t see anybody in the penthouse, but I’m ninety-five percent sure I sense a presence. Drawing in a deep breath, I realize what tipped me off.
Perfume.
Not my perfume, but someone else’s. A stranger’s. A woman’s scent.
Kicking off my heels, I quietly stalk further into the apartment. No one in the living or dining rooms. The kitchen’s empty too.
At the foot of the stairs, I debate about going up or heading toward our bedroom down the hall. I strain my senses. Where could she be?
That’s when I hear a soft shuffling down the hallway. Disbelief courses through me—she’s in my bedroom? The same room I share with my husband. Why would she be in there?
On silent footsteps, I draw closer. The door’s ajar. She’s in there all right, and she’s not alone.Maximo. I’m going to kill him.
“You can’t do this to me,” the woman pleads. “Please, Maximo. I’m begging you. Don’t send me away.”
Send her away? How about putting her six feet under instead?
Fury colors my vision in a halo of crimson. Pushing the door open, I step into our bedroom. A space I thought was sacred.
Hand on my hip, I glare at the gorgeous woman pressed up againstmyhusband. “Who the fuck areyou?”
CHAPTER 48
Elena
The three of us stare at each other. Tension thrums in the air. Her fingers twist further into Maximo’s shirt and I’m about ready to launch myself across the room to tear her away from him.
To my complete horror, Maximo coils his arm around her waist. Why isn’t he pushing her away? Oh god. Sheishis mistress. I didn’t want to believe it.
“I know what this must look like—” he starts.
What this looks like?Is he kidding me?
“You bast?—”
He holds up a hand to silence me. “Cara mia, this is mysister, Julianna.”
My gaze sweeps over her body.
Yeah, right…“You mean yourdeadsister?”
The woman huffs in irritation. Now that I see her more closely, she can’t be any older than eighteen. More than ten years his junior.
“Santa merda.Yes, my dead sister.” He spins her around, gripping her by the back of her neck and marches her toward the door. “She was just leaving.”
“Ow!Bastardo, let me go! I’m not going anywhere.”
I step into the doorway, blocking the only exit and fold my arms. “She’s right. Neither of you are going anywhere until I get some answers.” I gaze into the girl’s face. “How long have you been fucking my husband?”
She wrinkles her nose. “Ew!Don’t make me vomit.” Turning on Maximo, her hands flail in his face until he lets her go, avoiding more of her unhinged, cat-like attack.
“Behave yourself, Julianna,” Maximo barks at her.
“Don’t tell me what to do.”
“Not that you can follow even the simplest of orders.”
“Why should I?” she shoots back.
