Page 72 of Avenging Azalea

ONE WEEK LATER

There were a million things I’d rather be doing than attending this dinner. Vera’s father had insisted that we all go out, his treat. It was a necessary evil and one that couldn’t be avoided, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.

“You look very handsome,” Vera said quietly from the seat beside me.

The atmosphere in the limo was amicable but forced. Pasha had arranged the ride so that Vera and I arrived with both her parents and mine. We were presenting a united front for the Curators, after all.

“Thank you. You look stunning,” I said, and Vera smiled.

“You really like the dress?” She ran her hand over the ruby-red material. “It’s one of my latest designs.”

I’d learned during our trip to France that Vera often wore her prototypes out to gauge reactions from potential clients. It was certainly an interesting take on market research.

Father laughed loudly at something Pasha said, and my mother shot him a glare. This was not going to be a good night. He was already half in the bag, and we hadn’t even gotten to the restaurant yet.

“I feel like I owe you an apology.”

“For what?”

“I never really apologized for showing up unannounced at your house. Your father suggested I take a look at my new home, but I didn’t know until after we’d arrived that you weren’t there.”

“It’s fine, apology accepted.”

“Can I ask about Fawn?” I stiffened and narrowed my eyes at her. Vera shrank back. “I only bring it up because your father said that she lives with you, and you’ve never mentioned her.” She glanced at my father, seated at the opposite end. “Is she a girlfriend or something? He told me to ask you.”

If looks could kill, my father would be dead, but he never glanced my way.

“I’m just curious. I swear, I don’t mean any harm.”

I had no reason to doubt what Vera said, but I still didn’t believe her. How did I explain Fawn? Yes, technically, she was still in my care, so my ward, but…I didn’t see her like that.

“She’s my ward. I took Fawn in under terrible circumstances, and she’ll be staying with me until she finishes veterinary school. She is not my girlfriend and will not be moving out anytime soon,” I said cooly.

“Oh…okay. I completely understand.”

Doubtful.

Anyone with my father’s stamp of approval was not to be believed. Vera’s motives might be innocent, but I wasn’t letting my guard down. Fawn and the dogs were my heart and must be protected.

A line of photographers were waiting when we pulled up to the five-star restaurant. Fucking hell. They certainly weren’t here for me. The only people who wanted my picture were law enforcement. Vera fluffed her hair and quickly reapplied her lipstick.

“Look, honey. They really turned out to see you,” Mrs. Vilanova said. It appeared that Pasha and his wife had planned more than a family dinner. Katerina Vilanova was a stunning woman and could easily pass as Vera’s older sister.

“I know. Isn’t this exciting?”

Vera looked ready to climb over everyone to get out in front of the cameras. We were the last couple left in the limo, and being a gentleman, I exited and held out my hand for Vera. At first, I thought it was just my eyes, but Vera literally moved in slow motion for the cameras as she stepped out.

“Ms. Vilanova, over here,” one cameraman yelled, and she smiled.

“Do you like my newest creation?”

Vera turned in a little circle and posed in a dozen different positions as she smiled seductively for the cameras. I was fairly certain that most of the men would need to adjust themselves when we were gone.

Taking my arm, Vera smiled and waved to the paparazzi like they were personal friends. Some of them held lights, and others had small microphones that I was sure were picking up every word. One guy had a Go-Pro on his head while he recorded on a phone at the same time. This was so not my scene, and sweat ran down my back from the intense attention.

“Mr. Mikhailov, are you excited about the wedding to the rising queen of fashion?”

“Mr. Mikhailov, tell us how you two met and fell in love.”