Page 27 of Broken Saint

10

Nova

When I arrived at Zia's the next day, I certainly did not expect to have an escort. However, what had started out as a simple celebration among friends had sort of morphed into a full-blown party with lots of guests.

"I don't suppose there is any chance you are going to behave?" I asked under my breath. Ronin turned one of his cocky smiles in my direction, and it was all the answer I needed. After five years of carefully cultivating my world, this man was going to blow it to smithereens in one frigging night. "Can I at least count on you sticking to the script and not revealing to everyone and God that I am a Cullotta?"

"Normally, I would say you bring shame on your family by trying to hide them, but in your case, I don't blame you. Your father is an asshole. You have my word that I will not make any mention of Catherine Cullotta."

I rolled my eyes. While his hatred for my father was crystal clear, I was pretty sure his word was about as worthless as the paper it was written on, which was none, which meant it would be a damned miracle if he kept his mouth shut during an entire party. But what choice did I have? I wasn't about to risk making any kind of scene that could land us both in the tabloids. Or worse.

"And them?" I motioned to the two men trailing behind us. "Do we have to take them inside?" I don't know why, but he must have taken pity on me, since he tipped his head in their direction and they peeled off to the side. They stationed themselves outside the door, one on each side. It wasn't the same as them leaving, but at least they weren't going in with us.

"Shall we?" Ronin reached for the door to Zia's Kitchen, the hottest new restaurant on the strip, owned by my friend and wunderkind chef, Zia. At least she was my friend for now. There was no telling who would be left standing by the end of the party.

I swept past Ronin and ignored his latest smirk. However, by the time I made it past the unattended hostess stand, Ronin had not only caught up with me, but settled a hand against the small of my back. Bare back, I might add, as the dress I had chosen for this event was a floor-length halter dress in a gorgeous shade of Kelly green, my favorite color. I'd designed this one quite a while ago and waited for the perfect opportunity to debut it.

His touch was surprisingly warm. As cold and as black as his heart was, I only assumed his touch would be cold as well. I ignored the slight tremor along my spine, pushing it out of my mind. I refused to think of Ronin as anything other than an extreme inconvenience. Although that might have been the understatement of the year. As far as I could tell, he was hellbent on following through with our farce of an arranged marriage and I couldn't disagree with that more.

Unfortunately, our time together thus far had been unproductive. I'd gleaned very little information from him, and what little I did had yet to give me an ounce of confidence that I could trust him with my life insurance policy. I had no doubt he would be interested in procuring the diamonds for himself, who wouldn't? They were worth millions on the black market and probably more to my father.

I just couldn't figure out how I would broach the subject to my would-be future husband.

"You should smile before you go in, Nova. This permanent frown you've adopted around me isn't nearly as attractive."

I slowed at his words, taking a moment to take a deep breath and clear my mind. While I could feel the threads of control slowly slipping from my grasp, any rash move on my part wasn't going to help the situation. Neither would alerting my friends to my situation. If I went in with anything other than a huge smile on my face, and tried to pass Ronin off as my date, I had no doubt my friends would sound the battle cry.

If ever there was a time to keep my cool, this was it. Even and steady. That was going to be my mantra for the night.

"Thanks," I whispered under my breath, not exactly feeling thankful, but happy to have had a reminder. Tonight would only go smoothly if I held my temper and hid behind my Nova persona more than ever. Tabling some of the anger, I surged forward and into the empty dining room. We were already late.

I smiled to myself as I crossed to the doors that led out to the open-air terrace. It had been so generous for Nina and Zia to plan a party in my honor. Humbling, actually, when I realized this was the first birthday party in the years since I left.

Before I could open the doors, Nina rushed to greet me. She wore a beautiful white dress that, while not designed by me, was as beautiful as anything I could have done. It was a flowy showpiece that, despite its looser style, still skimmed the curves of her body as if she were made specifically for that dress. I made a mental note to ask her later about the designer. I didn't recognize the work, and I had to know more.

"Nova! You made it! Happy Birthday!" Before I could respond with more than a grin in return, she scooped me into her arms and hugged me tightly. When she pulled back, I couldn't help but notice that my friend practically glowed. It was as if happiness had filled every cell inside her, and now it was trying to burst free.

"I'm here. And thank you. You all were so generous to do this for me."

"No way. Are you kidding? Any excuse for a party is the motto to live by, am I right?" At that moment, Ronin chose to step forward and into the light. I didn't have to see him to know what Nina saw. His roguish good looks were enough to catch anyone's eye, and I could see from Nina's wide-eyed gaze that her curiosity had been piqued. "Who is this?"

It took every ounce of control for me not to roll my eyes. Under different circumstances, I would probably have found him intriguing as well. However, between our frustrating talk, and the fact I could be forced to marry him, I couldn't see him that way.

"Nina, this is Ronin Kavanaugh. Ronin, meet my friend Nina Michaels. She and her husband run this hotel."

A throaty laugh erupted from Nina. "I don't think I can take that kind of credit. My husband is the brains behind the operation. I'm simply here for support."

It was my turn to laugh because we both knew they were equally passionate about their work and she put every bit as much effort into this place as Gabe did. Just like in their personal relationship, they complemented each other perfectly professionally as well.

How many times had I captured a picture of the two of them and wanted to post it with #couplegoals?

Ronin brushed my arm, reaching for Nina's hand, and again a shiver worked through me. Under the circumstances it didn't surprise me that I found his touch so unsettling, but it also made me feel almost—guilty.

"I'm sure if Nova sees your efforts as joint with your husband, then there is truth in that. Besides, where would a great man be without a good woman at his side?" When Ronin grabbed Nina's offered hand, I more than half expected him to bring it to his lips. The man gave off Casanova vibes like nobody’s business. Gorgeous and smooth was a lethal combination. However, they simply shook hands, and he quickly returned his to the small of my back.

Damn that tingling. I was supposed to hate the man my father chose on every level.

“C'mon, you've got to check out the cake Zia has made for you. It's insane. And there are a few guests I'd like to introduce you to. Most you already know, but we did invite a few key investors."

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