Page 16 of Twisted Games of Revenge

“Nope. I noticed the neighbors moving out this morning and immediately spoke with the landlord. The place is mine if I decide I want it.”

As I pull up to Enzo’s estate, the imposing iron gates swing open, and a security guard motions for my driver to lower the window.

He looks directly at me, his voice a low rumble. “Name?”

“Vivian.” I give him my first name, it’s all I have told Valentina, and I would prefer to keep it that way.

With a crooked smile, he scans me from head to toe, kind of creeping me out. “One of Sloane’s girls,” he sneers in a way I don’t appreciate.

I plaster a smile on my face, trying to hide the turmoil inside. “Sure am.”

With a wave of his hand, he signals for the driver to proceed. With a jolt, the car comes to a stop in the middle of the turn circle, and I sit for a moment, catching my breath, before opening the door. After the engagement party, I never wanted to come back here. This place gives me the creeps. But it’s going to be different this time because it’s on my terms.You can do this, Harley.

I shove open the door with a fresh wave of determination, thank my driver as I pay him, and strut up to the front of the house like I’m supposed to be here. Just like with the engagement party, I’m greeted by uniformed staff and shown through to the back of the property. There are fewer people here than I expected, and I’m momentarily stunned when I seeAlessandro talking with a girl in a dress just as glamorous as mine. Why is he here?

My heart races uncontrollably, for so many reasons. I didn’t expect him to be here. I also didn’t expect him to look so fucking edible. Isn’t he supposed to be mourning the loss of me, his beloved fiancée who he thinks is dead? Little conceited, I know, since it was me who told him to leave me alone and to move on with his life, but from the way he was acting when he dropped into The Raven’s Nest the other night, I thought he was searching for me. I thought he still would be, knowing he wouldn’t give up so easily after hearing what the commissioner told Enzo. Seeing him chatting to some other girl gets under my skin in a way it shouldn’t. I have no right to be jealous. Him moving on is for the best, I know it deep down, but it doesn’t mean seeing him with someone else doesn’t sting like a motherfucker. I take hold of the banister, trying to get my head together before I descend the stairs. Carefully I make my way down to the party, trying to work out how to navigate around him.

I spot Valentina and offer a small wave, not sure what else to do.

Her smile spreads across her face, and she excuses herself from the gentleman she was with. “Vivian, you made it.” His mother’s voice can be heard from the other side of the patio. The way she is giggling and swaying makes it damn obvious she’s already had more than her share of champagne.

I move toward her, the biggest grin on my face I can muster. She’s a vision in soft white chiffon and glides toward me. Taking my hands in hers, she forces me to do a spin and doesn’t hide the fact she is inspecting every inch of me. “Valentina, thank you for inviting me, what a lovely property you have here.”

“I’m a very lucky woman. But you, my dear, are absolutely stunning. I see you have taken my advice and splurged on a dress for the occasion. Good job.”

“Thank you.” I grin back.

“When I saw you last night, I just knew you would be perfect.”

“Perfect for what?” I ask, confused.

“A perfect fit with us, darling.” She hooks her arm with mine, and we walk together across the beautifully manicured lawn. Probably so I can hold her up. She takes a glass of champagne and hands it to me, then takes one for herself as well.

I hold the glass up to my lips but make sure not to actually drink any of it. Who knows what these people put in their drinks at these events. I watch the news, and I won’t end up one of those girls.

An attractive older man, with salt-and-pepper hair, approaches us with a friendly smile. “Valentina, you have outdone yourself with this event.” He takes her hands in his, kissing her cheek, and she beams up at him like the two of them are old friends.

“Dr. Northgate, I’m so glad you could attend tonight.”

His attention travels to me. “And who is this lovely creature?”

I plaster on a fake smile. This man is tall and handsome, probably in his late fifties, and is carrying around the type of charm you know means he’s very popular with the ladies. But there is something about him that makes me feel uncomfortable instantly. I’m not sure if it’s the way he’s looking at me or his fondness for Valentina, but it’s something.

“Vivian’s a new friend of mine. She’s an aspiring artist; I hope to make her a household name in the not-so-distant future,” she gushes about me.

“Talent and beauty.” He lets his eyes linger on my low neckline a little longer than is comfortable. Then his attention returns to our host. “You’re in wonderful hands, Vivian, this delightfulwoman has changed the life of so many young women just like yourself. I’m sure you will be no exception.”

“I have known Dr. Northgate a very long time. He’s a dear friend and just this past year been announced as the Chief Medical Officer of Ravens Hollow District Memorial Hospital. A very well-earned promotion.”

“Very impressive.” I smile at him, wondering if this is what the entire evening is going to be like. Valentina introducing me to her hoity-toity friends while I smile and act impressed.

“Give me a minute, dear,” she tells me then hooks arms with the doctor and walks out of earshot. They have a quick conversation alone, then he wanders off in the opposite direction to mingle with some other girls. Every person here is immaculately dressed, the young women in gowns that sparkle under the low light, their hair styled to perfection. They have this high-society look about them that makes me feel out of place with my ink-covered arms and piercings.

Valentina waltzes back toward me, a renewed look of determination on her face. “I have some people I want you to meet,” she says as we approach a well-dressed man in a full dinner suit, with two younger looking men at his side. His tall frame is complemented by his slightly graying hair, and his stern expression conveys a no-nonsense attitude. “Vivian, meet Commissioner Palmer and two of his top detectives, Hops and Carillon,” she says, introducing me to the three men before us.

I offer my hand for him to shake, and the commissioner surprises me by kissing the back of my fingers. “Vivian,” he purrs my name.

I swallow the lump in my throat, feeling uncomfortable under his predatory gaze. The other two men give a nod of acknowledgment but keep their hands to themselves.

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