Page 113 of Sweet Animosity

Damn, I was on a roll today.

Since I knew that wouldn’t last, especially with what I had planned, I decided to enjoy the moment. Lifting her plate, I dished out a serving of everything offered before getting my own.

As we ate, the elevator pinged. Low murmuring voices carried into the dining room from the hall.

Vivian turned in her chair as her hand went to her towel turban. “Who’s here?”

“It’s just my staff dropping off some clothes for you.”

“I thought you said your staff brought my clothes from my apartment.”

“They did. But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to provide a few additional things.”

Specifically something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

She twirled the champagne flute as it rested on the table. “I can’t be bought. I’m not marrying you, Var. I’m sure you’re exaggerating about the threats. Besides, it’s not like any of those mafia syndicates know my identity.”

I paused as I lifted a piece of watermelon to my lips. “Yet.”

Her brow furrowed. “What?”

Wiping my mouth after chewing, I leaned back in my chair and studied her. “They don’t know your identity… yet.”

Her fork clattered to the china plate. “You’d out me?”

“In a heartbeat.”

She tossed her napkin on the table and rose. “So much for wanting to protect me. I’m out of here.”

Launching out of my chair, I pinned her against the wall. “This is me protecting you. Without my name, you’re as good as dead.”

She wriggled in my grasp. “Yeah, well, I choose to take my chances.”

My hand wrapped around her neck as I pushed her head back. “Then it’s a good thing I’m not leaving the choice to you.”

My cellphone interrupted us.

Keeping my forearm over her head, trapping her, I released her neck and reached into my robe pocket. I answered the phone. “Yeah?”

“It’s Serg. ETA in five.”

“You have the package?”

“Gift wrapped with a bow.”

“Good.”

I disconnected the call as I released her. “In the spare bedroom, you’ll find a rack of clothes. Choose one of the dresses and put it on. We have guests coming.”

“And if I don’t do as you?—”

Before she could finish her threat, I cut in. “Defy me and you’ll greet our guests naked.”

With a cry of outrage, she ran out of the room.

I finished my mimosa in a gulp and followed her down the hall, branching off into the main bedroom. Crossing to my closet, I changed and emerged from my bedroom in time for Serg’s arrival.

Serg gestured to the terrified-looking man in black judicial robes. “Var, meet Judge Macalheny.”

---