Page 67 of Defy

“What are they fighting over?”

“The usual.”

“And that is?”

“Something you wouldn’t have any notion about.” She paused to open a giant box of cosmetics in every shade possible. “Money, of course.”

“I can’t disagree there. I grew up fortunate.”

“I guess it helped to have your parent's money to get started in New York.”

“I never took a dime from my parents after I left home at eighteen. They weren’t happy about my choice of occupation. If you get what I’m saying.”

It was more that they’d cut me off for being a disgrace, and the only way they would give me a dime was if I straightened up and came home to follow the rules they set under their roof.

“Seriously. How did you pay for anything? Was it a boyfriend or someone who set you up?”

“I had a little money saved up, and I roomed with a friend who had a studio apartment. But other than that, I lucked out and got a modeling gig almost immediately.”

“Figures,” she scoffed. “Your family name got you in the door.”

I had no idea what was up with this chick. I’d worked with her on occasion, and she seemed nice enough at the time. Still, I’d never encountered these random digs at me about my financial status or connections before.

I heard her phone vibrate and then noticed her jaw clench.

Her attitude more than likely had to do with her family issues and not me. I’d let it go for now. I’d dealt with cattier situations than a makeup artist throwing snide comments my way.

“Because of my family, everyone knows me as Sophia Morelli, but professionally, I’ve always gone by Sophia Donatella. Look at the paperwork on the table.”

Regina peeked at the docket with my name at the top and the list of outfits and looks for the shoot.

“Interesting. I never paid attention to it.” A crease formed between her brow. “That makes no sense. Why wouldn’t you use your connections to make things easier on you?”

“That’s a story for another day. I will share that until my brothers decided to pop into a show and make my ties to them known, no one in the fashion industry knew I was a Morelli.”

“All of your brothers showed up to a show?”

“Let me tell you, I was shocked, too. My brothers aren’t discreet, and once you get a good look at all of us, the family resemblance is obvious.”

“I can only imagine the spectacle they made.” She fanned her face with her hand. “Your brothers have a scary reputation, but they’re easy on the eyes.”

I scrunched my nose. “If you say so.”

“I do.” She winked at me in the mirror. “Okay, I want to know one more thing before the squad invades. I hear them downstairs.”

“Go ahead.”

“Tell me about this man of yours everyone is talking about. I heard through the grapevine that he was the one that bought the million-dollar bikini you showcased at Karina’s fashion show.”

I knew Karina never divulged her client information, which meant she had a leak among her “trusted” staff.

“Where did you get that information?”

“So it’s true.”

“I’ve never seen it at his place, so I can’t say so.”

She wanted to dodge my question. I could do the same with hers.

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