Page 69 of Defy

“It is Regina’s way of commemorating the situation that caused us to reschedule for today.” The sheepish grin on Vita’s lips caused me to smile back at her.

“Regina is a menace.”

“Oh, don’t take it personally.” Regina came up behind me, her black eyes alight with humor. “That pig is gone. Why not poke a little fun at your situation?”

“You’re going to get me in trouble. I can see it.”

“Sophia, dear. You aren’t a murderer, even if you come from a family of mobsters.”

“The proper term is a syndicate,” Vita corrected, and I rolled my eyes.

“What?” I pretended to scoff offense. “You don’t believe I could take Keith out? Everyone else thinks I did it.”

“Everyone is stupid. If you did it, you would have cut his dick off and made him swallow it. Since there isn’t a report about genital mutilation, I know it isn’t you.”

“Should I be concerned that you put such great thought into proving my innocence by thinking of how I would have tortured Keith?”

“Always worry about me. I’m a creative genius who wants to stay on a schedule.” She stepped back and clapped her hands. “Okay, everyone, we need to move. Let’s get Sophia in her prison clothes.”

I released a dramatic breath. This was going to be a long day. But at least I wasn’t locked up in Damon’s glass tower with him constantly watching me and nothing to do.

#

Sophia, it’s go time.

My smart watch vibrated a little after one o’clock in the morning, signaling to leave Damon’s penthouse. I’d spent too many weeks away from the women who depended on me.

A wave of guilt settled in my gut knowing I had to keep this from Damon. He’d eased up on his need to be at my side at every moment of every day. As long as my security stayed with me, he seemed to remain calm. Well for the most part.

Though it was still annoying to have him show up to a shoot without a heads up because he finished up work early.

This relationship thing was so complicated. Or maybe it was just being in a relationship with Damon.

Hopefully, I’d make it back here before Damon woke up for the day. I’d watched him set his alarm for eight since he planned to take the morning off and work from home.

Sliding from the bed in as smooth a way as possible so as not to disturb Damon, I tiptoed into the bathroom and then the closet. I changed into a pair of yoga pants and a sweatshirt and then, as quietly as possible, made my way to the front hallway.

Earlier in the evening, before Damon arrived home from work, I stashed my purse and shoes near the front stairwell.

Taking the stairs fifteen stories down to the floor leading to the gym elevators would suck ass. Still, it was better than the full thirty-five to go from Damon’s penthouse to the ground floor. At least my ass would get in a good workout.

I was more worried about my return than anything.

Right now, the people milling about were at a minimum. However, when I returned, the employees of the various businesses that occupied the building started coming in, and most would recognize me.

If people weren’t aware of me as Sophia Morelli, they knew I was the building owner, Damon Pierce’s live-in girlfriend.

Once I reached the front entryway, I slipped on my sneakers and used the mirror against a nearby wall to set my wig on my head. There was no point in wearing contacts. They blurred my vision, and I needed to see my best for the work I had to complete tonight.

Picking up my shoulder bag, I slung it over my back and entered the stairwell, locking it behind me.

It's time to take care of people who need me more than I need an alibi.

Twenty minutes later, I stepped out into the crisp night air and strode toward the car waiting to take me to my destination.

When I slipped inside, the driver nodded his customary greeting whenever he picked me up for these visits and began our trek.

We rarely, if ever, spoke. He provided a service, just like I did. And the rules were, if we ever crossed paths in our real lives, we would act as if we never met before.

---