Chapter 21
Ravens Hollow Country Club is fancy. The manicured lawns and pristine clubhouse exude luxury. Valentina’s high tea this morning is in a reception room situated on the rolling green hills of the golf course. We also drive past tennis courts and a sign that points to an indoor pool as we come down the treelined driveway. I stare at the reception room from the passenger side of Alessandro’s Aston Martin DB11, frozen to the spot.
Alessandro laces his hand with mine, pulling my thoughts back to him. I was derailing, going down a dark road of what-ifs. But with his handsome face now captivating my attention, I’m distracted. “You look ravishing today, princess.”
I offer a half smile back at him, glad that he thinks so. “I feel like a show pony,” I mutter, trying to straighten out the linen fabric. “But Sloane said this dress would be perfect.”
“You will fit right in with Valentina’s inner circle. They’re all about show. You’re about to see them compete over every little detail of their lives. It’s like a sport to them.”
I roll my eyes dramatically for effect. “I bet. Can’t wait to meet them.” I groan, knowing I need to pull up my big girl panties and get out there. Hey, maybe it will be fun watching these toxic women gossip about each other, because that’s what I imagine these types of events are all about.
“Is that why we have been sitting in the car for five minutes?” he asks.
I let out a heavy sigh, my gaze lingering on him. His smirk is playful, but he knows how uncomfortable these kinds of things make me. And his mother is the worst of all; having to fake being nice to her is almost impossible, but I know it’s important if truly I want to go through with this.
“If you need to escape them, I’m just a phone call away. I can be here in minutes to rescue you.”
I cover my heart. “My hero.”
“I’m serious, princess, if things turn ugly, I’ll get you out of there.”
I offer a small nod to show I understand what he is saying. Then he pushes open his door, and next thing I know, he’s opening my side, holding his hand out for me to take. I swallow down the anxiety in the pit of my stomach and accept his invitation, letting him pull me up to standing. He closes my door with a thud then his hands are on me, running up the sides of my fitted baby-blue sheath dress. He pulls me aggressively into him before smashing his lips with mine.
Jesus Christ. He’s like an animal. But I don’t care. All the nervous energy that was consuming my body is gone, and now all I can think about is him. I let my hands come around the back of his neck, holding him close, until eventually he breaks the kiss, leaving me breathless and panting for more. I stare up at him, lost in a trance. What was that?
He smirks cheekily, his hair falling over his eyes, as his lips drop to my ear. “We have an audience.”
I don’t know why but goosebumps scatter up my arms. I glance over my shoulder and see his mother and her girlfriends watching us with curiosity. I turn back to him, heat radiating off my cheeks. “Oh my God, is that why you kissed me like that?” I slap his chest playfully.
“Got to give them something worth talking about. And now you’re smiling instead of freaking yourself out, so I achieved my goal.” He quickly kisses me again. “Better get in there.” He slides back into the driver’s side of his car, leaving me with a tight knot in my stomach, knowing the gathering of high-profile women had all just seen that little show, and now I have to go have cucumber sandwiches and sip tea with them like a lady. Fuck.
He waves as he drives off, and I glare at him just because.
Valentina greets me as I arrive at the top stair. Both her hands come to mine, and she squeezes gently. Her face lights up with excitement to see me, not a fine line in sight, her skin is so perfectly botoxed. “You made it, darling.”
I plaster on the best fake smile I’ve got, hoping I can survive the day. “Wouldn’t have missed it,” I say with as much perkiness as I can muster, when this is the last thing on earth I want to do with my Saturday morning.
She pulls back from me a little bit, but her hand is still firmly grasping mine. “What is this?” She smiles greedily, her eyes twinkling in a cunning way.
I smirk awkwardly. I knew I would have to deal with the elephant in the room today, but this soon, damn, she’s perceptive. “I have no idea how it happened so quickly, but Alessandro proposed, and I said yes.”
Her nude painted lips form a menacing smile, and I can practically see her planning the event already. What the hell have I got myself into. “I just knew you would be perfect. Enzo will be happy; you got the job done so fast.” She claps her hands, excited, and breathes in a deep breath. “I just knew today would be a good day, it had that feeling in the air,” she sing-songs.
“I’m so glad you’re happy about this. I did worry it was too fast.”
“Never, dear. We have been trying to get that boy tied down for years. The sooner the better, then you can give us grandbabies.”
My skin goes all hot and clammy, and I blink back at her, momentarily lost for words. “Yeah,” I murmur, trying to laugh off the last part of her comment. “If you don’t mind me asking, why did you want him married so quickly?”
She looks down her nose at me. “What did I say about getting involved in the men’s business the other evening? Our job is to support our men, not ask questions, dear.”
“Yes, of course, sorry.”
She hooks her arm with mine. “Now come on, I want to show you off. Just wait until the others hear about this news.”
I keep smiling even though my jaw is clenched so tight I feel like I might snap a tooth.
Together we enter the space through double French doors to a room filled with chatter and the sweet scent of garden roses and lilies. Every woman in the gathering is elegantly decked out in floral dresses or skirts with blazers in every sorbet color you can imagine, and I silently thank Sloane for the heads-up with the dress. As much as I don’t feel like it, I fit in perfectly today.
We stop walking when we come to a group of women all sitting around a coffee table, in white high-back upholstered chairs. They glance up at us, sipping tea from delicate china. “This is Vivian, my soon to be daughter-in-law,” Valentina presents me to them, and I feel my cheeks heat instantly under their judgmental gaze. “Vivian, this is Connie, Mayor Chambly’s wife,” she says, motioning to the blonde with a little too much make-up for her age. “Susanne Northgate, her husband is the chief medical officer of Ravens Hollow District Memorial.” She points out the thin lady with the short chocolate bob. “And Julia Palmer, her husband is the police commissioner.” She shares a cunning smile with the lady who has hair very similar to mine and the greenest eyes I have ever seen. She’s also a good ten years younger than the other two and very pretty. But by the way her eyes rake over me, I can already tell she’s not a fan. “These women are all my very best friends in the world, and they will take care of you just like you’re a part of our family.”
They all grin their greetings, if you could call what their lips do smiling. I try my best to be polite, but they are as intimidating as hell, like a pack of hyenas just waiting for my back to be turned so they can tear me apart. Here I was thinking today would be easy, but I already know I need to keep my wits about me.
Valentina snaps her fingers at a server. “Vivian will be joining us, we need another chair for her,” she informs him rudely.
He goes about getting me a chair from the next table over, positioning it next to her. “Thank you,” I say with a kind smile, taking a seat. The women watch me, and I wonder what they’re waiting for. I feel like I should have prepared a song or some poetry, something to entertain them.
Connie pours me a tea, and I take it from her with a smile. “Vivian, tell me, how did you meet Alessandro? I want all the juicy details.” She gleams at me, and I’m sure she does.
I glance at his mother, and she beams at me, way too excited. Oh, here we go. I internally roll my eyes. “Valentina introduced us,” I tell her, and Valentina takes that as her opening to take over.
“I spotted Vivian at the casino one night and just had to meet her. Turns out she’s an artist, and you know how I have a passion for the local arts. I invited her to one of our parties, and it was love at first sight. Enzo and I could tell instantly that she and Alessandro were made for each other. It really is very romantic.” She speaks animatedly, captivating all of their attention. This is her at her best, entertaining.
“It is.” Connie places a hand over her chest as if it’s the most romantic story she’s ever heard.
Susanne grins at us both, a twinkle in her eyes I don’t like the look of. What the fuck does she know? “We’re so happy for you, Valentina,” she coos, giving Valentina all the attention she craves.
It becomes more obvious by the second I’m here to look pretty and give the women in her inner circle something to admire Valentina for. I could be a new handbag for how interested they actually are in me. Their conversation continues on around me, and I mentally take notes of anything that could be important. I’m not here to make friends.
When I hear from Connie that the mayor is anaphylactic to nuts, my ears prick up; I’m sure that information could come in handy in the future.
From what Susanne says about her husband, it sounds as though Dr. Northgate might have a gambling addiction; she has had a dig quite a number of times about him not caring where she is anyway because he spends all his spare time at the casino with Enzo. Another small detail that I believe could benefit us. “Lucky he always wins big,” she adds through clenched teeth. And I wonder what would happen if he didn’t? The look in her eyes says it all, the shame that tells the true story.
And finally, the police commissioner’s wife, Julia. She’s a real piece of work, every bit as fake as Valentina is. She spends most of her time sucking up to her ass, but doesn’t even bother to act as if she likes me, though. It’s damn obvious she hates me with a passion; I could see it from the moment she laid eyes on me. Then there was this comment she made when I mentioned meeting her husband at the garden party, something about me being just his type. I shudder at the thought of the creepy old dude even thinking about me like that. She has nothing to be jealous over, I can assure her of that.
When I’ve had enough of their constant chatter and one-upmanship about their wonderfully successful children, I excuse myself and head out onto the balcony for some fresh air. I wonder if I should text Alessandro to get me out of here because I’m about ready to escape. From the events room balcony, I can see the breathtaking view of the rolling green hills and perfectly manicured fairways of the golf course, a picturesque scene enhanced by the sounds of birds chirping and a light breeze. A much nicer environment to the toxicity inside. I breathe in a sigh of relief.
“Lucky girl, you snagged a Moretti,” comes a woman’s voice from my side.
I glance over my shoulder to find Connie Chambly. She’s immaculately dressed in a Chanel skirt suit, her long blonde hair up in a French twist.
She comes to stand by my side. Her eyes, sparkling with amusement, sweep over me before she grins again like a Cheshire cat. “You tricked him into sleeping with you and he knocked you up, right? That’s why you’re getting married so quickly?”
I blink back at her, momentarily lost for words. That was the last thing I expected her to say. “Excuse me? I’m not pregnant.” I take a step back from her, my eyes narrowing angrily.
“Oh, sorry, honey, I just assumed it was a shotgun engagement. It’s rare to find anything real amongst the women at one of these events. And he was mourning the loss of his last fiancée not three weeks ago, so one would have to assume there is something more twisted going on here.” She quirks a brow. “Unless the whispers are correct, and daddy bought you for him?” She tilts her head to the side, waiting for my response.
I stare at her for a beat, not quite sure what her angle is. Then I glance over my shoulder, wondering who’s going around telling people Enzo bought me for him. I guess in a way he did. Fuck, that thought is disturbing, especially if that’s what the other stuck-up women in this room are saying. But why would Valentina tell anyone that? It would blow our cover with Alessandro, defeating the purpose of this little arrangement in the first place. “Why would anyone say something so nasty?” I ask, throwing her bitchy comment right back at her.
She looks me over, shocked by my response, but what the hell did she expect? “Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just Enzo…” She gives me a strange look. “Sorry, never mind.”
“No, please go on, what does Enzo do? Buy women for his sons?”
“Well, yes. I guess he would if that’s what they wanted.” She glances over her shoulder toward Valentina then moves in a little closer to me. “I’m sorry, Vivian, she implied you were at the garden party last weekend because you were one of the girls up for auction at the end of the month. I just assumed they put in an early bid for their son. You’re quite unique-looking, Vivian, a real treasure. I’m sure you would have been paid a very high price. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, most of the women here met their husbands because of Enzo. At a party or event.”
I stare at her, not sure what to say. Has she been adding liquor to her tea, the way she’s verbally vomiting? I can’t work her out, is she trying to be a bitch to me to make me feel uncomfortable, implying I’m an escort or something, or is she trying to make friends? I honestly can’t tell. But I’m getting more out of her than anyone, so why not keep up the conversation and see where it goes. “None of the other women here have married for love?” I ask back, surprised.
She laughs bitterly, her hand lightly tapping my arm. “It’s all for show, honey. I haven’t slept with the asshole I’m married to in years, not since the last STI he gave me. He doesn’t need me for anything more than arm candy at the big events. You know, make him look like a family man for his beloved city. Sad, but it’s true for most of the women in this room. Our husbands might be high profile, but that just means they come with a whole new set of rules. And a bigger budget to get whatever they want handed to them on a silver platter. The mayor has an insatiable appetite, one I could never keep up with. He gets his fix down at Enzo’s private club. Valentina said I can trust you. I can, right? Don’t tell anyone I just said that, it would destroy his good reputation if it got out. But I feel like we’re making friends today. I can trust you?” Her eyes lock with mine, and she looks almost desperate for a second, like she really is looking for a new friend she can confide in.
“Sure.” I smile. I feel sorry for her. How awful knowing your husband is out sleeping with escorts while you’re at home raising the family.
She laughs uncomfortably. “I’m lucky, he gets his fix and I go on living the life of luxury. It’s a small price to pay, really.” She actually looks happy with her lot in life. Content. It’s so sad.
I can’t hide the horror from my face. The picture she has painted is devastating to me. “Is it, though? What about love? Don’t you get lonely?”
She laughs again then looks at me like, oh, you’re serious? “No, honey, I have my friends. All my husband is good for is keeping up my cushy lifestyle. You’ll see it’s all men are useful for. Trust me, with a husband like Alessandro you will see sooner than most of us.”
“What do you mean?” I snap, needing desperately to know. All day I have felt like there is a secret these women are not letting me in on. A feeling that people are whispering behind my back.
She shrugs, glancing back toward our table again. “Valentina would kill me for telling you, but we’re friends now, right?”
I nod, and she seems happy with my answer. She is really desperate for a friend.
“That boy of hers has unique tastes, and there is no way a normal woman will be able to fulfill his needs. I am genuinely surprised daddy didn’t purchase him a wife at one of his auctions. Someone he could mold into what he wanted.”
I can’t hide the look of disgust on my face. What the fuck is she going on about? “What tastes?” I swallow the lump in my throat, a fresh wave of heat radiating off my cheeks, wondering what she knows about him that I don’t.
“Sorry, I guess you will find out soon enough.” Her eyes go wide, and she wraps an arm around my shoulders in a half hug of sorts. I stand frozen, not sure what is going on. “I didn’t mean to scare you. You must be aware of what he’s into or you wouldn’t be marrying him. Anyway, congratulations.” She smiles happily.
“Mrs. Chambly,” I hear Alessandro’s deep voice from behind me, and I turn to see him approaching us. I’m relieved to see him and know he’s about to save me from all of this shit, and I smile at him. Did he just hear all of that? I bet that’s why her eyes went wide, and she hugged me. She’s scared of him, and she just got caught talking shit about him.
“Alex,” she greets him, running her eyes up his body hungrily, before smirking at me. “This was fun, Vivian. Hopefully we can do it again next month.” She pats my arm before taking off back inside with the rest of the hyenas.
I bury my head in my hands and suck in a deep breath, wishing I could erase the last ten minutes from my mind.
He drops his lips to my ear. “Are you alright?” he asks, wrapping an arm around me and kissing my cheek.
I glance up at him, feeling like my skin is crawling, her words seeping under my skin. Alex looks genuinely worried, and he should be. “Ehm.”
He kisses my hair, his arm pulling me tighter into him. “You don’t sound okay.” His hands, warm and gentle, cradle my face, tilting it until my eyes meet his.
“Just get me out of here, will you? I’ve had enough of this shit.”
He takes my hand with a gentle squeeze and leads me inside toward the table of women who are all looking our way. “Mother, I need to steal my girl away.”
“Oh, we were just starting to have fun.” She looks genuinely disappointed. And I’m sure she and her catty friend are having fun at my expense. Knowing her like I do, there is no way she didn’t just send Connie out to say all of that to me. I bet it was a test to see if I would run for it or not. That’s the only logical explanation I can come up with.
“I’m sorry, Valentina, we can have lunch one day soon if you like?” I offer, trying to keep up the act.
She quickly kisses my cheek. “I’ll set it up.”
I smile back, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from saying all the horrible things now going through my head. I’m so ready to lash out, but that can wait for the car.
“See you later, Mother,” Alessandro says, tugging on my hand for me to keep up with him. I have no idea what his plans are for this afternoon, but on the top of his list will be to explain what the fuck I just heard.