Page 18 of Ruin Me

“That’ll be amazing, Kent. Working with Madison and now you has really done wonders for my network.” Elsie beamed up at me, giving me pause. I would have to address the cause later, since Valentino stood before us.

After a brief introduction, I joked, “Valentino, if you aren’t careful, I’ll have Sloane on my other arm asking me who Valentino DeLuca is.”

He wrapped his arm possessively around Sloane’s waist and skewered me with a fierce frown. “Kent, why would you want to ruin a friendship by touching my wife?”

Sloane patted Valentino’s chest. “Ignore him, please. He’s been out of town on a business trip and this is the first time he’s seen me in days. He’ll be a bit feral until tomorrow.” She winked at me, then whispered something in her husband’s ear.

Valentino pulled away to stare heatedly into her face. “You promise?”

At her nod, he lost the menacing aura around him and gently kissed her cheek before directing his famous charm at Elsie. Despite his absolute devotion to Sloane, one mild inquiry made the single and married women of Douglas instant fangirls of the mayor. Elsie was no exception.

While they discussed Italian fashion houses, I checked the entrance to the ballroom. Anticipating Madison’s stubbornness, I’d sent Omar to pick her up, although it was still early in theevening. He hadn’t returned, and faced with Hal then Carol’s reminder about her absence I was left itching to see Madison.

It was more than making her submit to my demands, too. I’d picked out the outfit I wanted to see her wearing, knowing she would shine brighter than every jewel here. And I needed to see her to confirm my vivid imagination.

Instead of the beautiful patchwork of brown and peach skin wrapped in sequins that I expected to see, Omar’s guilty face appeared.

No one stood beside him.

“Elsie, I need to step out for a moment.” I motioned to Omar.

She nodded, although disappointment shadowed her eyes.

“Valentino, I’ll talk to you later about a new project. Your brother Sansone and cousin Enzo might want to get in on it. If we want things to run smoothly, we’ll also need to get your Board Director in line.”

“I’m all ears for anything to help further the family business.”

I shook his hand and made my way to Omar, uncaring if anyone noted the haste in my step.

When I reached my assistant, the simmering anger I’d held at bay pulsed through my veins, causing me to breathe deeply to restrain it.

“Before you bite my head off, she refused to come and kicked me out of her house. And before you ask, she made me tell her verbatim what you said. Sorry, Kent. I tried.”

“Tell me her exact response.”

“Man, I like my job.”

“I promise you’ll be fine. What did she say?”

Omar cringed while relaying Madison’s response.

I firmed my lips and nodded. “Where are the?—”

“The clothes are in my car.” Omar held out his keys, and I grabbed them.

“Stay here with Elsie. Tell her I’ll return later and to enjoy herself in the meantime.”

Without giving Omar time to respond, I left the venue, picturing Madison’s delicate neck in my hands. Tonight, she’d learn she could only push me so far.

I arrived at her home with no memory of the drive and forewent the doorbell to bang on the front door. The garment bag and shopping bag dangled over my forearm.

Nikita swung the door open, fury illuminating her face and highlighting the resemblance between mother and daughter. “Who the hell do you think you are, treating my door like a festival drum?”

“I need to speak to your daughter.” I tried to bypass her, but she stood in the middle of the entryway.

“Not without showing me proper respect in my home. I don’t know where you put your manners, but you better become an archeologist and dig them up before you think about getting past me to my daughter.”

I stepped back. “You’re right, Nikita. I was disrespectful. If it wouldn’t be too much of a bother, could you ask your daughter to come outside?”

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