Page 35 of Mercy in Betrayal

I’m just about dressed when a knock sounds on the door. “Rowan?”

I open the door to Evie, hand raised for another knock. “Morning.”

Eyes narrowed, she appraises my outfit. I’m dressed more casually than usual, in a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt. “Are you ready?”

“For what?”

“The fitting, Ro!”

For a second, I stare at her dumbly, uncomprehending. Then I close my eyes and slap my palm to my forehead as I recall our agenda for the morning. “Oh! I forgot! The Scarpetta-Marzano wedding fitting-thing…” Whirling around, I hold up a finger. “Let me change. I’ll just be one second—”

“There’s no time. You can go as you are.” Evie grabs my arm and tows me down the hall, giving me no room for maneuvering.

I protest, anyway. “I look like I just rolled out of bed, Evie. What will all of those women think of me…your sister-in-law…”

She snorts. “I could not care less what the women of the Five Families think of me or you or anyone else, trust me.”

I manage to pause her long enough to leash Clementine and grab my purse. “Vivi told me she’s called the General Queen. Carina Scarpetta, I mean.”

Evie punches the button in the elevator with slightly more force than necessary. “I’m aware. She’s not terribly good about making friends, hence why Angel Valachi roped us all into playing bridesmaid.”

I’m reminded, belatedly, that Evie was once engaged to Carina’s fiancé, Luca Marzano. Open mouth, insert foot. She loves Cassidy so completely, though…surely she’s not still angry with them over that mess?

“Not even a General Queen can compete with you,” I offer softly.

Evie turns to face me, a small smile flirting with the corner of her mouth. “You’re a good kid, Rowan.”

I lift one shoulder in a shrug and bury my face in Clem’s fur. I feel her hand graze my hair a second before the elevator glides to a stop and the doors slide open. Evie doesn’t move.

“You’re soft, though. If you don’t toughen up, they’re going to eat you alive, men and women alike.”

As I stare, she strides forward into the parking garage, leaving me to follow.

***

The bridal shop on Fifth has a gleaming white storefront and a fancy, carpeted showcase room in the back lined with plush couches and chairs. We’re escorted there by a fawning saleswoman, who hands us each a flute of champagne.

Evie shoots me a warning glare when I knock back a swift swallow.

I lift my shoulders defensively. “What? It’s perfectly legal in Ireland.”

“Go easy. You’re underage over here,” she reminds me.

The room is filled with women, the only one of whom I know is Vivi. They all slant curious gazes in our direction over their glasses.

I beeline for Vivi, my fingers tense in Clem’s fur. “Hi,” I mouth breathlessly, my gaze drifting to the younger woman beside Vivi. She’s lovely, with a pale cloud of hair and equally pale eyes. She appears almost as uncomfortable as I am.

Vivi gestures in her direction. “Rowan, meet Mila. Emilia, to be precise. She’s a Romanov, Ivan’s younger sister.”

I nod, assigning the girl’s name and face to memory for further use.

“Oh, how lovely.” One of the ladies sighs, and we turn to see the bride-to-be stepping forward on a raised red velvet dais. The gown she’s wearing is stunning, with a plunging neckline and big, poofy skirt. It’s completely over-the-top and magnificent—fit more for a princess than a General Queen.

I’m unaware of making the comment aloud until the room goes still, and everyone, including Carina, turns to look at me. “I-I’m so sorry…” I stammer. “I just meant…” My voice trails away, and my fingers dig into Clem’s fur. There’s no way to salvage this.

And then, Carina laughs, the sound husky and unexpected in the silent room. “You’re absolutely right. This is more your style than it is mine, sweetheart.”

I’m not certain if the remark is meant to be insulting or merely an astute observation. I smile uneasily and take another swallow of my drink. A ripple of laughter moves through the women, except for Evie and Vivi.

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