Page 264 of Merciless Daddy

“No,” Donatella said.

Gemma smiled. “You’ll be fine.”

“I once poisoned a man.”

Everyone stopped.

I waited.

Angela looked up from the cards. “Recently?”

“No.”

“All right, then.”

They returned to work.

I laughed before I could stop myself.

The piping bag was warm from Gemma’s hands. She showed me how much pressure to use. My first line sagged.

Donatella made a pained sound.

“Try not to hate me today,” she said.

I looked at her.

“No promises.”

“Fair.”

Six months had not made us gentle with each other. She had threatened Kiryl while helping rescue me. I understood why. I also reserved the right to resent the quality of her performance forever.

She offered me her champagne.

I took one sip.

That was our version of peace.

We worked around the cake. Cora added small flowers. Gemma repaired my first border without making it obvious. Angela corrected a place card from across the room without standing. Serafina returned to her calls. Katerina directed trays into cooling racks while threatening Tonio through the wall.

The new employee came from the kitchen carrying a tray of small honey cakes. She hesitated when she saw me.

Katerina noticed.

“This is our Lena,” she said. “If she asks for anything, give it to her. Unless it belongs to Tonio. Then hide it.”

Our Lena.

Two small words. The piping bag tightened in my hand.

I had been Lev’s daughter.

Gianni’s intended.

The rescued Russian.

The corporate witness.