Page 43 of Deception & Desire

The doors I pass by on my way contain large, corporate-style meeting rooms, so I half expect an entire committee to be sitting around the table.

So it’s quite a surprise to see that only one person is waiting for me.

More of a surprise that it’s my sister-in-law.

It’s even more of a surprise thatshedoesn’t seem that shocked to see me.

“Mia,” the beautiful blonde greets me with a sarcastic little smile. Her quintessentially Italian features make a mockery of my own fading tan and Irish-red hair. She’s perfectly presentable in her long Gucci boots and cashmere sweater.

God, I hate her.

“Isabella.” I pointedly maintain eye contact so she doesn’t glance down at the chucks falling apart on my feet. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“Didn’t my brother tell you? It’s a collaboration project.”

It’s condescending and boorish, and I wish I had had the foresight to bring a knife so we could settle this tension the way that both of us is itching to do.

Of course, she’s here. Of course, this was the project he’d put me on.

“Please,” I say instead. “It’s clearly a WAGs project. Nice and safe away from prying eyes.”

Her eyes narrow at that. “I should call Cas, then! See if she’s up for a bit of fun.”

Something cool and possessive stirs within me. Cassandra has been my friend since childhood. What kind of claim does Isabella Vitale have to her?

It’s just playground tactics, I realize, with a start. And actually, I have no interest in playing.

“Are we doing this or not?” I say as I take a seat, not needing to feign my exhaustion as I look over some of the documents sprawled across the table before her.

Isabella eyes me cautiously before clearing her throat. “I’ve taken the liberty of printing off the floor plans for us. I think you’ll find it all quite satisfactory. I’ve spent my entire life in casinos.”

I glance at the paper she indicates. “And I’ve spent my entire life with the Guild. They’re going to hate this.”

“What are you talking about? These designs are perfect.”

“The foyer is just a Prince’s Hand logo.”

“All our casinos have this style of foyer.” She bares her teeth when she smiles.

“The design needs to be more subtle. This is like putting a statue of the Celtics in the entrance of Mia Square Garden.” I pause for a second. “And they’re not your casinos anymore,Mrs. Vitale. You married into the Guild.”

Her lip twitches. “My brother already approved?—”

“Myhusbandasked me for my insight on this, so I’m giving it to you,” I snap back.

Isabella sucks on her teeth. “You really wanna play this game with me?”

“No!” I say, exasperated. “I don’t. I just want to get this over with so I can go back to my fucking apartment and be fucking miserable in fucking peace. This was a terrible, terrible idea.”

I go to stand, but Isabella gets up with me. “Wait.”

“What?”

“Neither of us wants to work on this.”

I give her a long look. “No kidding.”

“So, how about we just call a truce? Let’s just…start again, shall we?” Isabella suddenly looks about as tired as I feel. “I’m still trying to get my head around the fact that it’syouof all people who…”

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