Making Mina Strings Attached(2)

The Genovese Collection? Ivy’s eyes were huge as she mouthed the words and Mina shook her head dumbly. This must be some kind of terrible joke.

“I don’t know what to say.” At least that was the absolute truth. Someone had put her in a terrible position and she had a sinking feeling she knew exactly who it was. The question was why. “Marco and I,” she stopped herself when Ivy’s eyes got even bigger. “Mr. Genovese and I haven’t exactly discussed any details. I never expected him to contact you,” she swallowed, her mouth dry, “directly.”

You never expected to hear from him at all, you mean. Mina tried to ignore the little voice in her head without success. This is what you get for messing around with a man like Marco Genovese.

She had known better from the beginning, she just hadn’t wanted to accept the truth. Again. She was so stupid about men. She should never have gone home with him. The only place she could expect in Marco Genovese’s life was a temporary position as bed warmer. When dawn came and the alcohol had worn off it was obvious, so, she pretended to be asleep, and when he left for his morning run, she ran too. As far and as fast as she could.

Coward. The little voice in her head refused to shut up.

Yes, I’m a coward but that’s not the point! Mina viciously stomped on the voice in her head. The point is Marco Genovese should be more honorable than this. Dragging her boss into things—endangering what little career she had left—it was unconscionable. Why, this was just bullying! The next time she saw him she’d tell him exactly…

“I’m surprised to hear that, Miss Hemingway.” A dangerous voice cut through the chatter in her head and sent a chill down her spine. “I thought when I spoke to you Friday I made it very clear that we’d address these things… again… later.”

Again… later… the words sent a frisson of excitement through Mina’s body as she remembered the last time she’d heard them. Her eyes flew to the door, praying she was wrong, but, no. The world was still out to get her. There, lounging against the doorframe like he owned the place, stood Marco Genovese. His presence dominated the small space and Mina could feel her pulse speed up in response to his proximity. He wore a charcoal gray suit and a black silk shirt, each perfectly tailored piece worth a small fortune, and he did not look happy.

“Mi-ister Genovese,” Mina stumbled over his name. “What a surprise.” She swallowed hard and tried to calm herself. There had to be a perfectly reasonable explanation for him being there.

She just couldn’t figure out what it was.

His expression was blank, his dark eyes inscrutable as they met hers, but for some reason she would swear he was blindingly, blisteringly angry. Not that he had any reason to be. I mean, yes, she left without saying anything. Snuck out, actually, but he couldn’t have expected her to stay. That would’ve been crazy.

Wouldn’t it?

Dr. Peabody’s excitement made him impervious to the undercurrents in the tiny office, but Ivy’s eyes were threatening to fall out of her head. She flicked a finger at Mina to get her attention and Mina shook her head tightly, silently begging her not to ask any questions. Ivy slowly nodded in understanding. The look her friend shot her guaranteed she was going to have some serious explaining to do, but she didn’t care. She’d explain until she was blue in the face as long as she could get out of the next ten minutes with her professional reputation intact.

She pasted a smile on her face.

“A very welcome surprise, of course.” Mina’s voice cracked and she hurried on to cover it. “I cannot tell you how pleased I am that you’ve decided to allow the Oppen Institute to arrange for the display of your collection.”

Hell, she thought a little wildly, I don’t think admitting that I didn’t even know you HAD a collection would go over very well. Mina was a terrible liar but she learned how to play politics with Ethan and his cronies. As long as you didn’t come right out and insult them people didn’t pay attention to what you actually said they just heard what they wanted, which made skating by the truth good enough for most people.

Somehow she doubted Marco Genovese was most people.

“Your pleasure is my pleasure.” His voice was low and sensual and she shivered in the warm room remembering words whispered in the dark… Touch yourself. Take your pleasure. Your pleasure is my pleasure… Mina swallowed thickly and he continued. “When I arrived this morning I told Dr. Peabody how much faith I had in your abilities, and he informed me that of course his very best student would be available to curate the display.” He held her gaze, challenging her to argue. “I must say I was very relieved. You have no idea the disappointment I’ve faced since arriving in Miami.” Mina couldn’t help but wince. “It’s good to know I’ll be in your very capable hands.”