Page 23 of Brutal Legacy

“Don’t worry, there is nothing here I haven’t seen before,” he said and stopped in front of me. The man was tall. “Except for a woman who isn’t trying to impress anyone.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” I heard myself ask before I could stop myself.

“Georgia,” Alexandra murmured to me in warning.

The man chuckled softly and reached into his pocket. “My name is Roman. Roman Sokolov. If you ever find yourself inPhiladelphia, give me a call.” He held out a matte-black business card.

“I won’t.” I made no move to take it.

After a long, tense moment, Roman tucked it into my jeans pocket and nodded to Elise.

“?? ????????, Elise. Be good.”

And with that, the menacing man left. I took a deep breath as soon as he’d disappeared.

“Well, that was intense,” Alexandra muttered when Elise stepped into the other room to put on her dress.

I’d make whatever adjustments were needed once I saw it on. “Was it? What was that guy’s deal anyway?”

Alexandra just shrugged. “Some guy Elise started to pursue after meeting him when she was shooting on location. He was here for business, and she basically begged him to stop by.”

I winced. “Well, he seems awful.”

“He does, doesn’t he, and dangerous.”

I knew danger from men like that. I’d grown up in Castel Amaro, home to the De Sanctis summer estate.

“Well, at least Philly is far away from here. She’ll be fine,” Alexandra said and clapped when Elise came out, the designer gown frothing around her. She had an awards ceremony that night, and she was going to rock the red carpet.

“You look amazing,” Alexandra enthused.

Elise nodded, distractedly. Her hair was untidy and her eyes glassy. A deep twinge of empathy moved through me. I knew better than most how the wrong man could wreck you.

“Let’s get you all cleaned up and finish fitting this dress. You’re going to be the belle of the ball tonight.”

She gazed at me, a hint of fragility dancing across her delicate features.

“Really?”

“I promise.”

Once I’d fixedElise’s dress, she passed out in her room. Alexandra grabbed her purse and nodded toward the door.

“Have you had lunch yet?”

I shook my head.

“Me neither. My treat. Let’s go.”

We sat in the dining room of the hotel. I’d never eat here if Alexandra wasn’t paying. I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu and sipped at my water while she talked about the Hollywood scene.

It all sounded utterly exhausting.

“And how about you? How’s it going? Dating anyone new?” she asked.

I laughed. “Nothing can compare to your fun and games… I’m boring.”

She raised an eyebrow at me. “That’s a no, then?”

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