“My, my, my, what do we have here?”
Startled, the spatula fell from Sharleen’s hands. She turned to face the female voice. A brunette, decked out in Louis Vuitton from head to toe, was standing beside the stainless-steel fridge, glaring at her. Sharleen recognized Emilio’s sister from the family portrait hanging in the foyer and marveled at how striking the former model was.
Gathering her bearings, she turned off the stove, scooped up the spatula and dropped it into the sink. Sharleen inwardly chastised herself for leaving the master bedroom in Emilio’s undershirt and shorts. Just because his staff had the day off work didn’t mean they had the house to themselves. Talk about an awkward first meeting, Sharleen thought, combing her fingers through the ends of her disheveled hair. Why didn’t Emilio tell me his sister was joining us for breakfast?
Taking shelter behind the breakfast bar, she crossed her arms to hide her braless state and forced a smile. “You must be Francesca,” she said brightly, refusing to let her nerves get the best of her. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“The feeling isn’t mutual, so get out.”
Sharleen was stunned by her rudeness, but she wisely bit her tongue. She knew Francesca’s story and sympathized with her, but losing a child didn’t give her the right to be disrespectful. Because she loved Emilio, she’d be nice, but if his sister didn’t kill the attitude they were definitely going to have a problem.
“Okay...well. Breakfast is ready. Are you joining us?”
Francesca scoffed and rolled her eyes. “As if. Carbs are, like, so fattening.”
“If you change your mind there’s plenty, so feel free to help yourself.”
“How long has this been going on?” she asked, dumping her handbag on the kitchen counter. “And do you screw all of your male clients, or just the rich ones?”
Pity tempered her anger, made her swallow the stinging retort on the tip of her tongue. Francesca was upset, lashing out at her because Emilio had cut her off financially, but Sharleen refused to be her human punching bag. “It’s obvious you’re upset, so I’ll go get Emilio so the two of you can talk about what’s bothering you.”
“My issue is with you, bitch, not my brother.”
The insult and her icy tone confused Sharleen. On the outside, Sharleen was the picture of calm, but her temples were throbbing in pain, and her heart was pounding violently. She remained silent, and although she was annoyed with Francesca for swearing at her, she didn’t lash back.
“I’m not going to stand by and watch you play my brother for a fool.”
“This conversation is over,” she said calmly, in a tone that disguised her frustration. “My relationship with Emilio is none of your business, and furthermore, we don’t need your permission to date.”
“Emilio will never marry you, so you might as well quit while you’re ahead.” Scowling, her lips pinched with distaste, Francesca tapped her foot impatiently on the ground. “You’re just something cute and young to play with until he finds the right woman.”
Maybe instead of throwing stones, you should examine your own life, you spoiled brat! Not trusting herself to speak, for fear she’d lose her temper, Sharleen swiped her cell phone off the counter and strode past Francesca.
“Does Emilio know about your hefty five-figure bonus?”
Her body went cold, rigid with shock, and she stopped dead in her tracks.
“That’s right. I know all about the money, and I have the proof right here...”
Panic welled inside her chest, caused sweat to drench her skin. Sharleen heard papers ruffle and knew Francesca had evidence to back up her claim. Guilt gnawed at her conscience. I should have ripped up the check instead of giving it to Jocelyn, but what was I supposed to do? She’s out of work, and she desperately needed the money!
Telling herself not to panic, she turned and faced Francesca. The brunette was clutching a piece of paper in her right hand and pointing at her with the other. She stared her down, like a prizefighter consumed with rage, her eyes blazing with anger.
“Antwan paid you ten thousand dollars to seduce my brother, and I can prove it,” she said, her tone so confident, she sounded like a state prosecutor who knew every angle of her case. “Antwan wanted Emilio to come out of retirement, and he used you to make it happen.”
Sharleen opened her mouth to deny the accusation, but she couldn’t get the words out. The truth got stuck in her throat, and her heart was beating so hard she couldn’t think.
“Is it true?”
Her stomach pitched to the floor when she heard Emilio’s voice. She glanced over her shoulder, saw him standing directly behind her and felt the baby-fine hairs on the back of her neck shoot up. He stared at her intently, as if they were strangers, and folded his arms rigidly across his chest.