Page 68 of Solemn Vow

“He brought you here, didn’t he?” Izzy pokes me. “And you said you’re spending the weekend with him.”

“That doesn’t necessarily mean anything,” I try to point out. Billie shares a look with Izzy and they both start laughing.

“Only because I’ve met Andrei a few times, I’m going to assume he’s as much of an overprotective man as my own husband. Am I right?” She holds up a glass of wine she’s snagged from a passing waiter.

“Yes.” Izzy clinks her glass, and they share another laugh. “Marlena is still under the impression that Viktor is simply going to walk away when she tells him to.”

“Oh, no.” Billie exaggerates a shocked expression.

“It’s not fair to gang up on me like this,” I point out, waving over another waiter and swapping out my empty glass for a full one.

“Who’s ganging up on you?” Izzy feigns insult. “We’re just trying to help you see the light. That man has it for you, and once these guys get their claws in, there’s no getting away. You should know this; you were there with me as I tried to fight off Andrei.”

“That was different. He loves you and you love him, I could tell.” I sip my wine and catch a glimpse of Chantelle making her way toward me with her hand up in the air waving.

“Marlena! What are you doing here?” Chantelle joins us with her hair perfectly curled and swept up to one side just as I had it when she left the salon this afternoon.

“To be honest, I’m not sure,” I laugh when she gives me a gentle squeeze. The light blue full-length dress with a chiffon overlay makes her look like a princess. I don’t want to wrinkle anything with a full hug.

“She’s here with Viktor Petrov,” Izzy answers quickly. Maybe she thinks Chantelle will think I crashed a party and go tell the host I don’t belong.

“Oh?” Chantelle’s smile freezes.

There are too many fancy people in this room with all the fancy decor and the fancy wine and the fancy chandelier hanging from the fancy ceiling. Heat rises up my neck. My heart beats against my eardrums as I look around the room.

Viktor said we didn’t need to stay long. Where is he? Can’t we go now before I really make a fool of myself and lose one of my best clients?

“How about you? Where’s your date?” I ask, looking behind her. “You mentioned a party tonight, but I thought it was another work function.”

“No.” She slides closer to me to let another group pass by. “No date. This is my sister’s engagement party.”

It takes a second for the words to wrap around my brain. If this is her sister’s party, then the ‘old man’ Viktor is meeting with right now is her father.

“Oh, wow.” I force a casual grin. Another woman wearing a similar dress and color to Chantelle’s dress glides past us with a man dipped in a million bucks on her arm. “Is she your sister?” I point to the dark blonde woman.

“No. That’s Marguerite, my sister’s maid of honor. She wanted all the bridesmaids to be wearing similar dresses for the party tonight.”

“Your sister did?” I clarify.

“No. Marguerite. My sister is a very dutiful, hands off sort of person. She’ll go where she’s told, when she’s told, and with who she’s told to go with. Marguerite gives the orders for the bridesmaids. She’s going to be my sister’s sister-in-law.” Chantelle’s usual upbeat energy feels dampened tonight.

“Sounds like a lot,” Billie chimes in. “Do you at least like the groom?”

Chantelle laughs as though Billie just said something hilarious.

“I guess not.” Izzy downs the last of her wine.

“There’s so many people here.” I glance out over the crowd, again touching the necklace.

“My father invited every business associate he has, then there’s the family, the family friends, my sister’s sorority andtheir families, and pretty much anyone who has any influence or an ounce of power in this city is here.” Chantelle rolls her eyes. “Oh, there’s Nicole Donato, she owns Luxe Strands, right?”

My stomach bottoms out as I see my boss on the other side of the room talking in a small group. As my gaze swings back, I catch a glimpse of Michael Agosti maneuvering through the crowd toward the main foyer.

I take a step to my left, putting Billie in front of me.

“What’s wrong?” she asks, puffing up her small frame to try to cover me even though she has no idea why.

“Nothing,” I lie. Nicole is on one end of the room, and Michael is in the house somewhere. If he sees me and she sees me, I might not have to worry about Jimmy anymore.

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