Page 65 of Cruel Existence

Ciro took the umbrella from her and offered his arm to help her navigate the puddles on the pavement. “Let me help you,” he offered.

“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at the service. Good night. I hope you get some rest.” She glanced at me over her shoulder while Ciro escorted her to a black SUV.

Who the fuck was that woman?

Twenty-Eight

AMARA

“Everything all right?” Ciro asked as he steered out of the parking lot. The windshield wipers were on the highest setting.

“Yes, it’s fine.” I stared out the window but refused to look backward.

“You knew he’d be there.” I felt Ciro’s eyes watching me in the rearview mirror.

“I know.” I folded my hands together. Rain had splotched part of my silk dress. “It was inevitable. It’s his father’s funeral.”

“And yet, he still affected you.”

I pinched my lips. “Nothing to worry about, Ciro. Just drive.”

“It’s just that he could be a problem.”

I glared. “I can handle Luka Novikov.”

“Doeshe?—”

“Enough,” I snapped. “Drive me home.”

I tapped out a quick text to my assistant, Enzo, to ensure the flowers I requested for the Novikov family had been delivered. He responded with a confirmation from the florist. What did it matter? I slammed my phone into the seat.

Twenty minutes later, Ciro pulled into the driveway, circling the fountain. It looked as if it was drowning in the deluge of rain. He continued into the garage. He turned off the ignition and walked around to help me out of the back of the tall vehicle. I watched the rain pour as he closed the garage door. It wasn’t possible to shut out that kind of misery. I could still hear the rain.

“Ms. Amato, do you need anything?” Bella greeted me when I walked inside. She had only been on my staff for six months, but she needed little training. It was an easy hire. “I could bring tea or a glass of wine?” she suggested. She looked concerned about the state of my dress.

“Yes, both.” I smiled. “I’m going to change, but you can take it to my office.”

After a quick curtsy, she hurried to the kitchen. I climbed the stairs, gripping the handrail. The top landing seemed as if it was five stories up.Luka Novikov. I closed my eyes. Damn it. His return had ramifications for everyone. I didn’t know how to sort them out yet.

The news of Dmitry’s death traveled quickly through New Orleans. Like everyone else, I assumed it would take a bullet to the back of his head for the man to die. It was possible one wouldn’t have been enough. But a heart attack? It was a cruel fate for a man who had spent his life trying to guard against outside enemies. The irony was suffocating.

Our last meeting was a month ago. He wasn’t happy with me. He never had been.

I sat in front of my vanity and flipped open the lid on a heavy marble jewelry box my father had given me when I turned sixteen. The stone was cold against my fingertips. There were hidden compartments inside. He had been pleased that it was intricate and unique. I lifted the velvet shelf from inside the box. I tapped a secret button. A door popped open. Beneath it was the pearl necklace Luka gave me the night he left.

I held it up to the light. The diamonds glimmered. I didn’t remember exactly when I stopped wearing it. It had become a piece so dear to me I slept with it until I realized the engraving started to wear. Then I would take it off at night and place it on the nightstand. One day I woke up and didn’t put it on. That was years ago. I returned it to the hidden square and closed the box.

I changed and slipped back downstairs, sitting in a chair by the fireplace. It was too warm to light the logs. I had made minor adjustments to the décor since I inherited the house. One was this oversized white chair. I could curl my feet under me and read reports. Sift through numbers and financial statements late at night.

Bella entered the room quietly and placed the tray carrying a cup of tea and a glass of wine on the footstool closest to me.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“No. This is plenty. Thank you.”

As soon as she closed the door, I reached for the wine. I scrolled through pictures on my tablet. My mind wandered, even when I tried to bring it back to focus. I had to change myschedule to accommodate Dmitry’s funeral service tomorrow. I messaged Enzo to make sure everything was set.

I couldn’t make the same mistake I did tonight. At least I didn’t stay longer than twenty minutes. I sighed, tapping my nails on the wine glass. The color on the tips matched the Pinot Noir.

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