Page 46 of Forgive Me For I Have Sinned

"Y-yes, sir."

"And Portman?"

"Sir," he responds warily.

"Keep your eyes to yourself."

"Yes, sir. Understood."

I hang up, giving him the only verbal warning I will give when it comes to her.

CHAPTER 18

Veronica

The elevator doors open, and I ignore Portman because every time he speaks to me, he stares at the ground like I'm going to hit him, only giving me curt answers. I'm wearing what Alaric picked out for me. A beautiful black silk wrap-around dress and underneath is some type of undergarment. There are actually strings that look like rubber bands made into a monokini with a crotchless panty paired with over-the-knee suede boots by designer Gianvito Rossi. Little lace petals are intricately sewn into the bands that cover my nipples, but the single string that goes between the cheeks of my ass is uncomfortable because it rubs when I walk, making me wet.

I pause at the desk right before the double doors to Alaric’s office, and I'm greeted by a man. I expected Sasha and her ironic smile to greet me, and he must know because of the surprised look on my face.

"You must be Verrronica,” he says, rolling the Rs in my name. His voice has a feminine tone and you could tell he was gay. His suit is perfectly tailored with a pink flower on the breast of his pocket and a little LGBTQ pin with a rainbow on the collar. It's so cute. To me, a gay man is a girl's best friend.

I smile. "Yes."

"Mr. Riordan hired me to assist you in whatever you wish because I can tell"––he winks––" you will be assisting him with everything he needs.”

"Where's Sasha?"

He raises his brows and shakes his head from side to side in a rhythm and lowers his voice. "Sasha, who? This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Please, if I did something wrong––"

My eyes widen in horror, hoping I didn't offend him. "Oh, no. You're perfect." I smile, calming him down.

He places a hand on his chest in relief, breathing dramatically, like he just ran a marathon. "Oh, thank God," he rushes out. "He gave the agency I work for specific instructions when selecting the perfect candidate on short notice and I promised I could assist you with anything you needed."

"What did he do with Sasha?"

He cups his hand over his mouth and whispers, "He fired her." I step back, looking at Alaric's closed office door and then back at him. Why would he do that? "I'm Sergio, by the way," he says, holding his hand out for me to shake, and I do. "We’re going to get along fine. I see a spark in those beautiful eyes." He lowers his voice again and whispers, "He must go crazy looking at you."

I snort. "You will understand when you see me and him in the same room."

"Well, he's not in yet, but there is a delicious breakfast waiting for you in his office," he says, sashaying toward the door and holding it open so I can walk through.

After eating a sensual breakfast of fruit, eggs, and coffee, I wait for the man in question to appear. My phone goes off, and I look at the incoming message.

Dorian: Is he bored of you yet?

Veronica: What do you want, stalker?

Dorian: Is that any way to talk to your fiancé?

Veronica: You are nothing of mine, and you know I would never choose you. I’d rather die.

Dorian: That can be arranged.

Cold dread sits at the bottom of my stomach, making me nauseous.

Dorian: What's wrong? Afraid, princess. I have so many fun things planned for you.

"Is everything alright?" I drop the phone on his desk. Alaric is standing in a tailored blue suit, freshly-shaven, with a questioning look in his eyes.

---