Page 38 of The Cost of Corruption

Chapter Ten

CHASTITY

“This is madness.”

I might as well have been shouting into the void. Not one of the trio of women rearranging and making space in Matteo’s closet even bothered to look my way.

They’d been pleasant enough when I’d opened the bedroom door a few minutes ago. They were even kind enough not to cast any judgmental looks my way when I’d been forced to greet them wrapped like a mummy in a bedsheet—my only option when their knocks had startled me awake and I’d discovered that my habit had mysteriously disappeared from the corner of the room.

I’d tried to tell them there had been some mistake as they strode in, pushing rolling racks filled with designer-label clothes, but they were insistent.

“There’s no mistake, miss,” one had said. “Mr. D’Angelo arranged for all of this to be brought here this afternoon.”

Afternoon?

I’d spun around the room, searching for a clock amongst the erotic artwork and tangled bedclothes. I finally found one on the nightstand.

Sure enough, it read 1:27 p.m.

I’d never slept so late in my life.

Then again, I’d never gotten drunk at a sex club, been brought home by my father’s nemesis, and passed out in his bed after he’d set both my body and soul on fire either.

“But I don’t want these,” I’d argued as they paraded the fashionable clothes past me and into the closet, rack after rack of sensual silks and low-cut necklines. “Take them all back.”

“We can’t do that,” the worker had answered with a laugh.

“Why not?”

“Because, like I said, Mr. D’Angelo was the one who made the order. Only he can send anything back.”

After that, they stopped listening to me. It didn’t matter how much I pleaded or argued. They simply ignored every word as they went about loading the new wardrobe into Matteo’s closet.

“It’s no use,” a compassionate voice sounded from behind.

A woman’s voice.

I turned around to find a lovely woman with reddish brown hair leaning against the open bedroom door, giving me an understanding smile.

“Gabriel did a similar thing with me,” she said. “It didn’t matter how many times I told him I didn’t need them. I’m guessing it’s the only way the D’Angelo brothers know how to make a woman feel welcome.”

Gabriel?

That meant she must be…

“You’re Gabriel’s wife?” I asked, trying—and failing—to keep the surprise out of my voice.

Though in my defense, it was almost impossible not to show the shock. The woman standing in front of me was beautiful,sure, but I could also tell at a glance that she was sensible, confident, and strong-willed. Definitely not the kind of woman I would have imagined a tough guy like Gabriel D’Angelo choosing for a bride.

Especially not with all the obvious intelligence I saw shining in her green eyes as she smiled.

“Sorry, I should have introduced myself.” She stepped into the room, extending her hand. “I’m Olivia.Livto my friends.”

If Liv was scandalized to find me dressed in a sheet, she had the grace not to let it show on her face.

“I’m Chastity,” I said, taking her hand before realizing my mistake. “Or…Theresa.SisterTheresa.”

What was happening to me? I didn’t even know who I was anymore. I must have sounded like a madwoman.

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