When She Fell for the Billionaire(74)

Gold digger caught between two lovers.

There was a grainy photo of her in the ballroom standing between Luca and Markos. Someone must have leaked it to the international press.

Sabrina scanned the article feverishly. “I’m running after Luca and Markos?”

She went through the other tabloids. It seemed like everyone had jumped on the bandwagon and assumed she had been after the two men. Incredibly, no one seemed to have heard her say she thought Markos was her brother.

“It gets worse,” Chase said, “or better, depending on your perspective.”

Spurned by European lovers, gold digger turns back to former Hollywood flame.

This time a photo of her taken last night in the arms of Chase was splashed on the front page of another tabloid. She looked like a penguin with the tail of Luca’s coat.

At the thought of Luca seeing those articles, she moaned. “How can this be better?”

“At least you’re involved with three hot men, if I say so myself.”

Not like last time, she knew Chase wanted to add, with a man old enough to be your father.

“If Luca sees this, he’ll get the wrong idea about us.”

“And you don’t want him to get the wrong idea?” Chase’s brow lifted.

“Of course I don’t want him to get-” she was halfway through her answer when she noticed Chase’s smug countenance. “What?” she snapped.

“What what?”

“Leave the girl be,” LuLu piped up, chopping some green herb.

“I have to see Luca before we leave,” Sabrina blurted out before she could stop herself. She glared at Chase’s knowing expression. “I have to return something to him.” That was not the primary reason, but she hated letting know Chase was right. “For real.”

“Bree, honey. We’re all friends here. It’s not a crime to go after the man you want. Isn’t that right, LuLu girl?”

“Yes, Mr. Latimer,” LuLu said obediently, but she winked at Sabrina.

“I really have to return something to him personally.”

“Uh huh.” Chase didn’t look convinced. “I’m sure we can drop it off at the hotel where he’s staying,” he said breezily.

“If it gets lost, Chase, you have to take responsibility for it.”

“Sure.”

“It’s on your head then. Rather on mine, actually. Give me your hand.”

Chase complied, puzzled but humoring her.

She reached for her nape, undid the clasp, and dropped several karats’ worth of diamonds on his palm.

“Jesus!” Chase said in awe.

LuLu dropped her knife with a clatter and scurried to her boss’ side. “Shit! Is that for real?”

“Of course it’s real!” Chase seemed oddly offended by the comment. “You think an Argenti would dare to give fake stones to my girl here? Oh Bree! You’ve exceeded all their expectations,” he said like a proud dad.

Sabrina frowned. “Whose expectations?”

“All those people who called you a gold digger.”

“She did?” LuLu couldn’t seem to stop staring at the necklace.

“I did?” Sabrina said.

“You’re not just a mere gold digger now,” Chase pronounced grandly. “You’re a diamond digger!”

LuLu and Sabrina absorbed this pronouncement with much gravity. Then they all burst out laughing hysterically until tears leaked out of their eyes.

It was good to be amongst friends.





Chapter 22





Sabrina’s mission had to be delayed for a few hours. She didn’t have any clothes with her.

Her luggage was still in the villa. Even if she did manage to get a hold of her carryall left at the yacht, it contained only her shorts and tank top.

LuLu lent her a dress that was too short for her. The villa was located at a high-end tourist destination, so they were able to scrounge up some outfits from the nearby small boutiques. By the time she had picked several dresses which were not going to put a massive dent on her pocket, it was already half past five in the afternoon.

Chase and LuLu had insisted on accompanying her on her mission. It would also give them a chance to go around the principality. They insisted on having dinner at a quaint beachside restaurant, which took forever to serve their meals. Chase was wearing a cap and sunglasses. Hopefully no one recognized him.

After finishing their seafood meal, which Sabrina couldn’t remember tasting, they all piled into the BMW rental. She directed them to the marina.

The Argenti gleamed like polished silver in the setting sun.

“You wait here,” she said to the other occupants of the car as she climbed out of the vehicle.

“Just call for back up if you need reinforcements,” Chase called out as she slammed the door shut.