She shrugs, beckoning me over to her. “Personal shoppers, mostly. Kent likes to look good, but he doesn’t like to go to stores.” I join her at a velvet settee in front of a trifold mirror. “The rest,” she says, “are…gifts. Donations.”I cock my head at her, confused.She gives me a wink. “You know.
The party is, above all, impressive. Drinks are flowing, a whole twelve-piece band is at the back of the room playing hits from the fifties and sixties. Everyone is having a good time and, thank god, mostly ignoring me. Even though it’s technically my party, everyone’s too caught up in their own bu
Kent clenches his jaw as he observes my reaction. “Chin up, girl,” he says, his voice steady, giving me strength. “Meet him with pride.”I swallow and nod, trying to embody that. But inside I’m quailing.Daniel walks back over to me, his steps slowing and his face growing worried when he sees who I’
Alden narrows his eyes at me and looks back at Kent. I’m a little shocked, I admit, that he hasn’t addressed me yet. I stand awkwardly in front of him and Daniel quietly takes my hand, giving it a squeeze of support. “Is this for real, Lippert?” Alden asks, a threat behind his glare. Kent nods slo
And yet here I was, in the place she’d so desperately left. Why did I let myself get so wrapped up in this world? I cower away from my father. “Enough,” Kent’s voice rings out behind me, cool and calm. Alden turns angry eyes to him but Kent holds his ground. “I’m pleased to announce,” Kent says,
The party ended quickly after that. Alden left after one drink and, afterwards, since the apparent draw of the evening was gone, all of the rest of the guests began to filter out as well.As I watched them all leave – none saying a word to me, though they certainly looked me – I wondered about the p
A few horrible minutes pass when I consider what the hell will happen to me if people discover the Mafia Boss’s dead body in my room. But, during those minutes, Kent’s breath softens. The horrible, crinkled look of pain disappears and his face takes on its normal lines. He’s still sweaty and exhaus
The next morning, Kent is working in his office when a knock comes at the door.“Come in,” he calls, hardly paying attention. The door creeks open but no one says anything. Annoyed, Kent looks up, ready to tell whatever captain or guard was coming to report to get on with it and stop wasting his ti