Footsteps echoed down the hall, and they stopped just outside the door. This was it.
The door swung open, and her ex-husband strode in.
“William. What a surprise.” It was supposed to sound sarcastic, but her voice came out shaky.
William gave her a condescending smile. “I couldn’t let this little party happen without me, could I?”
Goodwin looked from her to William and back to her again. Marianna shuddered. Damn it. She had come so far. She could practically see the wheels turning in William’s head, looking for ways to get rid of her. Push her out, make sure everything went his way.
“What the fuck is going on?” Goodwin snapped, shattering his calm veneer. “This reeks of trouble.”
“We need to get out of here,” Simon hissed in her ear. “Say whatever you need to say so you can leave.”
How the hell was she going to get control of the situation? William was here, tying this upcoming shipment to him. And to her.
Marianna forced her expression into a well-practiced smile and looked at Goodwin.
“I’m sorry you’re having to witness our rocky relationship,” she said. “Marriage is about compromise. Apparently, so is divorce. William and I need to talk.”
She gave him an innocent, self-deprecating smile. Playing this as a problem in their relationship was probably the best hope of escape.
William seemed to like this strategy because he turned to Goodwin, all his Ivy League manners in place.
“Every single part of Marianna’s life depends on Ruiz Imports,” he said slowly, as if the reminder was for her, too. Then he turned to her. “Yes,darling. You and I need to talk for a moment. Outside. Alone.”
Exactly where they wanted to be. Closer to their car. Except William would be on her heels.
Goodwin looked at Marianna, then at Simon. He grimaced.
“You have ten minutes,” said Goodwin. “Then my men will escort you to the warehouse. The first shipment is arriving ahead of schedule, and I want us all to be there. Just to make sure we’re all on the same page.”
