Page 33 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

"All right. This villa is beautiful."

"Yes, well, it's very grand, as my husband wanted it to be."

Paula didn't sound as enamored with her island home as I was, which seemed surprising, because it really was amazing.

I was about to head into the dining room when Paula put a hand on my arm, holding me back. "Maybe I'll have you give me the necklace now," she said.

"Whatever you like." I reached for my bag.

"Not here. One second." Paula moved into the dining room and said, "Lauren and I have to run upstairs for a moment. We'll be right back."

"Can it wait?" Victor asked as he took his seat at the head of the table.

"We won't be long." Paula led me up the stairs to the third floor and through a pair of floor-to-ceiling double doors.

Paula's suite was a world apart from the rest of the villa. It was softer, warmer, with creamy walls and gold accents. Everything—from the delicate curtains framing the balcony doors to the lace pillows on the bed and the chaise lounge by the window—seemed chosen with care. Unlike the imposing style of the rest of the villa, this room felt personal, like it belonged to Paula and no one else. It certainly didn't feel like Victor stayed in here. He must have his own room.

Paula closed the door behind us and held out her hand.

I retrieved the velvet box from my bag and passed it to her. She opened it, lifting the necklace with an odd expression on her face. Clearly, the piece of jewelry meant something to her, but I couldn't tell if it brought her joy or some other emotion. She was a difficult woman to read.

"It suited you," she said quietly, running her fingers along the stone. "But it’s back where it belongs now."

Her words carried a weight I didn’t understand, but I nodded anyway. "I appreciate you lending it to me."

Paula walked to her dresser and placed the now-boxed necklace inside the top drawer. Then she turned back to me, her expression sharpening. "There’s something else I wanted to discuss with you, Lauren."

I stiffened, unsure of what was coming. "What’s that?"

"Your husband’s friend, Allison McGuire. Is she single?"

"I believe so." The question caught me off guard.

"What else do you know about her?"

"Not much," I admitted. "She’s an interior designer who’s worked with Andrew on a few projects. Why?"

"Victor wants to hire her for the hillside villas. But I’m concerned about her motives. My husband has a weakness for a certain type of woman. Allison wouldn't be the first one to take advantage of that. I won't let that happen."

I blinked. "I see."

"Do you?" Paula stepped closer. "I have to admit that I was a bit puzzled by Victor's interest in using you and Andrew for the marketing campaign. I've never seen him get so involved in that end of the business before. Now that I've met you both, I have fewer concerns, or I did until Allison McGuire showed up. You need to know that I will do anything to protect my family."

"I understand," I said quickly, feeling intimidated by her threatening words. "Andrew and I want what’s best for you and Victor, as well as the resort. If you have concerns about Allison, speak to Andrew. He can give you more information than I can."

Paula studied me for a moment. "You don't know her that well, do you?"

"I don't. She works with Andrew. And she's been traveling during the time we've been together, so we haven't talked much."

"Interesting," she murmured. "All right. I thought I'd mention it to you first—woman to woman. But I will speak to Andrew about my concerns when it's appropriate. Until then, why don't we keep this conversation to ourselves? There's a lot going on this week, and we're doing a great deal to give you and Andrew the best possible experience, so I'd appreciate your discretion."

"Okay." As I followed her downstairs, I realized I'd just agreed to lie to my husband. That damn Allison McGuire was causing me problems every time I turned around. I really hoped she'd be gone soon.

I could probably get Andrew to send her away if I told him Paula didn't like Allison, but then I'd be breaking my promise to Paula, who had recently reminded me of how much I owed them. I needed to stay out of it and let whatever was going to happen…happen.

When we returned to the dining room table, I noticed that Bennett had joined the group and was sitting directly across from me. While everyone was nibbling on their salads, Victor was telling a lively story about his most recent trip to Cairo.

Andrew gave me a side glance, a question in his eyes. I shrugged, happy I didn't actually have to answer that question yet.

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