“Okay, so let’s say you do go back. How do you plan to pull that off without getting yourself killed?”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ve been up all night thinking about that. I figure the best move is to play Bridezilla. Throw a hissy fit about how they ruined my ‘relaxing spa week’ with the blood-in-the-wine stunt. Maxim won’t even think twice about why I’ve been avoiding him.”
“You really think that’s going to work?”
“Of course. Maxim and his men don’t know me. They think I’m just another spoiled mafia princess, so that’s what I’ll give them. I’ll pitch a fit that my R&R time was ruined, complain about how the stress is making my skin break out right before the wedding, cry because I’ve gained two pounds. It’s all about me, you know? Maybe I’ll break a vase.”
“I guess that…couldwork,” I admit.
“I’m also going to bitch about the fact that all the hours I’ve spent grooming you as a spy are now in the garbage—because your husband has locked you up for safety after the blood incident, hence making you unavailable to me. So now, not only have I lost my spy, but I’ve also lost my matron of honor.”
“You don’t want me to come to the wedding?”
“It’s not safe, Candi. Especially not with the baby. But we can figure it out later.” She shrugs. “I can always say that you managed to convince Armani to let you attend.”
“Okay. So…when are you planning to go back to Orloff?”
“When my alleged spa week is over—another few days, I guess. That’s when Maxim will be expecting me to turn up.”
I still think we should involve Armani, and regardless of what Juliana wants, I’m going to let him know about her plan. I don’t care how mad she’ll be when she finds out I told him. Maybe he’ll be able to think of a way out of this.
“What about after the wedding?” I ask softly. “What will you do? Are you going to tell him you’re a Bellanti? What if he takes you to Russia and you get stuck there?”
She shakes her head, her eyes glittering with unshed tears. She quickly swallows and runs a hand over her eyes. “I’ll figure it out. Just like I always do.”
Those nine words seem to sum up our conversation, and she goes tight-lipped after that. Her gaze drifts out the window and I recognize that she’s turned inward and needs to be alone. I hug her and tell her to call me later. Truthfully, I need time to think about this myself.
And Armani’s going to help me think it through.
On my drive back to the Bellanti estate, I call his work number, but his assistant says he’s not in the office.
“Did he come in this morning?” I ask.
“No. Mr. Bellanti took the day off.”
Shit.
I try his cell, twice, but he doesn’t pick up. After I park in front of the house, I rush through the door and upstairs to the bedroom. The guard standing in the hallway gives me a nod. It’s a good sign. Armani must be inside.
When I open the door and step into the sitting room, I hear a shuffling sound from the bedroom. I’m nearly overcome with relief.
“Thank God you’re here,” I say, crossing the room to the bedroom doorway. “I just talked to Juliana and—”
A packed suitcase sits on the end of the bed. Next to it, garment bags are neatly laid out, along with…my laptop bag. Another bag holds my cosmetics case and a variety of toiletries stick out from the top. Armani breezes out of the closet with an armload of shoeboxes. My shoeboxes.
Nausea roils in my gut. Are we fleeing the Brunos? Going on another “honeymoon”?
“What is this?” I ask. “Where are we going?”
“Weare not going anywhere. Our arrangement is over, effective immediately. My lawyer will meet with you tomorrow. A condo has been leased for you here in Napa, but you’re welcome to find a place of your own choosing, which your support payments will cover in full.”
Dumbstruck, I can only stare at him. There are still months left of our “arrangement.” Why is he kicking me out now? What the hell changed?
“I don’t understand,” I murmur, so shocked that I’m having trouble processing.
“It’s over. Done. I can’t make it any clearer than that.” His voice is bitter. “We had an arrangement, and I’m ending it early. You need to be out today.”
Swaying on my feet slightly, I press my hand against the wall to hold myself steady.
