Page 213 of Kissing the Villain

Sell her nightmares.

That was the Salvatore way.

75

ALEX

My jaw droppedwhen I entered the ballroom. After leaving without notice, I thought Madeline Laveau would never work with me again. She stood at the center of the room beneath a massive crystal chandelier, studying the art on the walls. Luca had insisted he speak to Madeline alone while I ate my breakfast, and then he kissed me goodbye and left the house.

“Madeline,” I squealed as I threw myself into her arms and smothered her with a bone-breaking hug.

Breathing in her flowery perfume, I drank her in, the heavenly Jo Malone scent filling my nostrils. She was in her early fifties. Her hair was a shade of dark brown that was almost black, her eyes the color of whiskey.

“I’m so sorry I left without notice,” I muttered. “We were so close to finishing the chapel restoration. But my family…”

“I understand, Alex.” She held me at arm’s length. “No worries. I finished the chapel two days ago with the help of my new apprentice.”

Her words hit me like a punch to the kidney.

“Your grandfather contacted me the morning after you left. Then I heard from Arlo and Luca Salvatore.”

“So it’s true? You’re the new director of the Franco Foundation?”

She brushed her hair behind her ears and nodded. “Arlo approached me with the opportunity last week. I declined since I was working on a project. But I received a call from Luca yesterday morning, insisting I take the position now that you’re marrying into the family.”

“Oh, did he? He must have been persuasive.”

She smiled. “He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

Of course, he did.

But how did Luca convince her when Arlo could not? That seemed strange, but she didn’t offer more information, and I didn’t push the subject.

“I’d like you to work with me,” Madeline said with her eyes on the bland watercolor painting. “Your future husband would like it, too.”

“I would love to assist you in any way I can.”

“One day, you will take my place.”

I nodded, now understanding why Luca had called my mentor. And why she had accepted. This was a short-term gig until I learned everything I needed to know. I would have refused the position if Luca had offered it, but he knew I would one day feel worthy of running his mother’s foundation if I had studied under Madeline.

“The Franco Foundation is in Manhattan. I’m surprised Luca would suggest an arrangement that requires me to move to the city.”

We were a few hours from New York, the coastal town hidden among the upper echelon of Connecticut’s elite.

She shook her head. “No, we’re working from the Salvatore Estate.” Her eyes roamed around the room and then met mine. “I hear Evangeline’s studio is incredible. Luca assured me we would have access to everything we need to get started.”

I’m sure he did.

She looked uncomfortable, but not in Devil’s Creek against her will. Madeline would not let the Salvatores bully her. Knowing Luca, the offer she couldn’t refuse was a secret he held over her.

Secrets are commodities.

“Evangeline’s studio is upstairs.” I pointed at the entryway doors. “I can give you the tour.”

“Next time,” she said with a forced smile. “I’m meeting the moving company at my new house within the hour.”

“Where are you staying?”

---