Page 98 of The Billionaire's Pact

My lips parted. “Uhm…Yes. I’m Adelina Belfiore.”

“I was hoping I’d get a chance to meet you. I saw you on the red carpet earlier and had to find out who you were. I’m Janus,” he said like I should know who he was.

I smiled and glanced at Isla, who returned to stand next to me. She gave him a bright smile. “This is Isla.”

He shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Isla. I believe she knows me, but you don’t,” he said, folding his arms.

I grinned and shook my head. “I’m sorry, I don’t.”

“I’m in cosmetics, health treatments, travel, and life transformations. I’m the Janus of Janus brand.” He smiled, flashing an even set of white teeth.

I wasn’t one into lifestyle brands, but Isla was starstruck—which clued me in that he was a celebrity. “Nice to meet you, Janus.” My eyes darted around for Rocco. How long is the panel?

“I also had a minor role in The Age of Sin.”

I peered at him again and realized Janus was the male model in the painting scene. He was very nude in that scene. And very hot. The lead was also captivated. They’d had passionate sex right in the gallery. Scandalous. Oh yeah.

My cheeks warmed.

Janus’s grin broadened. “You remember now.”

I nodded. “Sorry.”

He chuckled. “I’m not embarrassed, I’m proud. Can we chat? I want to give you my pitch to be a part of my brand.”

I grimaced. “Why? I’m not a star.”

He smiled. “You’re stunning, and I can’t take my eyes off you. I say you can sell, and I want to know what else you can do. Please?”

I glanced at Isla, who nodded briskly. “Uhm…sure.”

Janus chuckled, placed his hand on my back, and a tremor went down my spine. “Let’s go.”

Janus’s hand warmed my bare back and nerves rolled in my stomach. Where did Isla go? I searched the clusters of people around the room, and came up empty. She wasn’t my chaperone, but I’d hoped she’d stay with me at least until Rocco came to the party. But she seemed keen on me speaking with Janus. Maybe he’s one of Rocco’s friends.

“Adelina,” Janus called my attention to him. He pointed toward a row of couches across the dance floor, and we sat on the open middle seats. He turned his head toward me to speak, but a woman sat down in the space between us. I’d seen her at the premiere and thought she was elegant in her green satin gown and tight bun. She held out her hand. “I’m Rose, Morgan Steele’s wife.”

I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m—”

“You’re Rocco’s beautiful cake topper. That’s what everyone’s calling you.” She let out a dry laugh.

I cringed, letting her hand go. “Hardly.”

“Fuck them, they’re jealous,” Rose said, her voice slurred and elevated.

My neck burned. Then why mention it? I bit the inside of my cheek.

Janus cleared his throat. “If you’d excuse us, Rose. We’re discussing business.”

Rose’s lips pursed. “Sure you are, Janus. You can spare a few minutes for a wife or soon-to-be one chat. Let me be your guide.” She pointed at the groups of people chatting around the room. “That brunette over there, she’s the new ambassador for Catalina earrings. The one talking to her is a small-time director of a new indie film that has just been picked up by a big studio. The guy over there owns the best spa in Mazembe. And the redhead over there’s my best friend. She’s fucking my husband behind my back. And the man she’s talking to is fucking us both.”

I blinked rapidly. “Are you serious?”

She nodded.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured.

“How sweet,” she said, her hand unsteady as she grasped a glass of champagne from a hostess. She offered me one, and I shook my head, refusing. “Don’t worry about me. We keep it interesting. Besides, Morgan will never divorce me. Remember, the mistresses get the headaches while you have all the perks.”

---