“Martina?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Martina answered crisply.
“You go on ahead to the function room. Make a preliminary check of the sound system and what else is needed for the pre-launch press con. I’ll be along shortly.” She waited until the sound of Martina’s heels clacking was a distant echo on the marble floor before she spoke. “I’m a very busy woman, Miss Connelly, so I’ll make this short. Luca and I are on the brink of a reconciliation. He’s a very attractive man and ‘distractions,’” she paused meaningfully, “like you will always be around, tempting him. I’d really appreciate it if you made yourself scarce.” She leaned in, and added in a conspiratorial, woman-to-woman whisper. “You’d be better off targeting other game. There’s plenty out there. I’m sure you’re quite good at hunting your prey.”
Sabrina stepped back and stared at Eleni in shocked disbelief.
“You’re very beautiful,” Eleni admitted grudgingly then gave a little shrug, “but that’s the only thing you’ve got going for you. I can understand and even admire why you have to make most of the advantage you’ve got by playing on your looks. A lot of men are willing to pay to have a pretty woman on their arm,” she said casually, “and in their bed.”
The words had rolled out of Eleni’s mouth in a matter of fact manner that it took Sabrina a few seconds to realize the magnitude of her insult. “Are you calling me a whore?”
Eleni smirked. The bitch actually smirked! “I believe it was the former Mrs. William Fraser who called you that, among other things.”
Sabrina blanched. William Fraser’s ex-wife had shredded Sabrina’s reputation after photographs of her sneaking out of their former house burst onto tabloid papers. Angela Fraser gave interviews after her producer husband divorced her the next day. She called Sabrina a ‘two-timing slut’ and a ‘whore’ and a ‘marriage wrecker’ for carrying on an affair with her husband while living with hotshot actor Chase Latimer at the same time. Sabrina had no choice but to keep quiet or risk exposing the truth. The press had never even wondered why Sabrina and William Fraser had never gotten together after the divorce had been finalized, if indeed they were having an affair.
“Luca and I have known each other for years. Our families go a long way back. We come from the same background.” A background of wealth and privilege. Eleni didn’t need to spell it out. “We suit each other very well.”
Sabrina refused to be cowed. It felt as if she was thrown back in time, when the mean girls in school cornered her and accused her of flirting with their boyfriends when all she did was mumble a greeting when the jocks said hello. They jeered at her and called her “Miss Matched” to play on her insecurity.
She was seething, but she purposely kept her cool. “If you say so,” she said with insolence, crossing her arms across her chest.
Eleni’s unusual eyes narrowed. “Keep your claws away from him. He’s not for you. Just stay away from Luca Argenti if you know what’s good for you.”
“Make me,” she taunted glibly, goaded beyond endurance. “Better yet, try and make him.”
As a parting shot, it didn’t have the firepower Sabrina hoped for, but she shrank back when she saw the banked fury on Eleni’s face, afraid the woman might strike her. Eleni’s upper lip curled in contempt. With a scathing glare, she whirled around and stalked off in a cloud of heavy, suffocating scent.
Sabrina unfolded her arms. She was surprised to find that her hands were shaking.
“Miss Connelly?”
It was the hotel manager approaching her from the rear of the lobby. He had a small frown on his face. Now what? Had he witnessed that little confrontation? Was he going to throw her out of the hotel for almost engaging in a catfight with a member of the Konstantinos family?
Sabrina braced herself. Where was she to go? She was sure all the accommodations in the island would be fully occupied so close to the royal wedding.
“If I can just have a moment of your time, please,” the manager said deferentially. He was polite, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be tossing her out on her ear politely, too.
“Yes?” she responded, keeping her tone blank.
“I understand you were inquiring about the Apollo suite.”
“Er-yes. I was. For a friend.”
The manager nodded, his hands clasped behind his back. “I’ve received word that the Apollo suite will remain vacant until tomorrow. The occupants will not be arriving until the day after. The suite will be ready for your friend if he can come tomorrow for an overnight stay.”