Pride: A Sinful Empire Duet by Eva Charles

Author:Eva Charles [Charles, Eva]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781956725117
Publisher: Quarry Road Publishing
Published: 2023-05-10T16:00:00+00:00

28

ALEXIS

It’s way too early, but Valentina is mixing a drink using a new product that Premier is about to launch. Over the last year, we’ve concocted all sorts of new cocktails, giving them names that had us doubling over laughing. This is our favorite—the Vaxie—a combination of both our names, because together we’re an antidote for whatever ails you. We must have been half in the bag when we came up with that one.

Valentina arrived after two this morning, and I fell asleep waiting for her. “How was the trip to the US?”

“It was fun in the beginning. Then Marco left”—she groans—“and then as a special treat, I had a breakfast meeting with a major creep.”

“I want to hear about the creep, but why did Marco leave?” I ask, taking two glasses out of the freezer. “Did something happen?”

She shakes the cocktail like it’s an outlet for all her frustrations.

“He told me that he had a meeting with a dealer to procure some art for a client. But it came out of the blue. I’m not sure why he left.”

This is not good. I don’t want to ask the question that popped into mind first—the one about meeting a woman. “You don’t have any idea at all?”

“I woke up to additional security prowling around. I hadn’t noticed them the night before, but that doesn’t mean Marco didn’t. He hates when Rafael or my father add to the security detail without consulting him.”

This has been an ongoing problem since before they were married. Despite what he claims, Rafael has a hard-on about Marco. And Antonio doesn’t believe that he needs to consult anyone regarding his family’s safety—not even his wife.

“They know it’s an issue,” she continues. “So I don’t understand why Rafa couldn’t have just contacted him to say that the infamous traffickers were arrested in Sirena and it might be a good idea to increase security until we know more. Is that so damn hard?”

“Only if you’re a man who’s used to issuing orders without consulting anyone. Although, in fairness to Rafael, he’s had a lot on his plate.”

“Don’t defend him.”

I raise both my hands. “Not me. You know how I feel about that kind of behavior. Tell me about creepy guy. I’ve been kept under such tight wraps for the last six months, I have no creepy guys in my life. I need to live vicariously through you.”

She laughs. “Do we have any grapefruit?”

“I don’t know—this is your apartment. But I doubt it. When I got here, there was nothing but crackers and more crackers, and not a meager wedge of cheese to be found. Not even a damn olive. But Giana and Sabio ordered groceries.”

“Sorry,” she says, seeming preoccupied. “I haven’t stayed here in months.”

“I don’t need a garnish,” I tell her, taking one of the cocktails. “Creepy guy. Spill the tea.”

“I’ll tell you about him, but then you need to tell me how you got caught up with the traffickers.”

There’s not a chance I’m telling Valentina anything the general public doesn’t know.

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