PURPLE HEART - Soliders Of Fortune [BOOK TWO]

Chapter FORTY TWO

Sunday 'Sunny' Santos

Fifteen minutes later, I sit in the backseat of a black town car desperately trying to fix my smudged mascara enough to make myself presentable for a private fitting with the most prestigious wedding gown designer in the city.. Viktor shifts in the drivers seat to hand me a tissue in the back and I lean forward to take it..

"Gracias.." I sniffle, blotting at my cheeks.. "Will you do something for me, Viktor?"

The silent sentinel pulls a doubtful face and lifts a hand, tilting it back and forth in a gesture of uncertainty..

"Will you let me tell Max about Esteban?"

Viktor grimaces..

So that's a no..

"You already told him, didn't you?" I wince and Viktor nods..

'Sorry'. He rubs his fist in a circle over his heart in apology..

"You were just doing your job.." I smile, shaking off the anxiety and throwing myself into the role of happy bride to be.. Because pretending is the only way I will make it through the next few hours.. "And now, I have to do mine.."

'Do you want to wait for Luka?' Viktor signs.. 'Or tell Verity he is coming at least. She won't be happy about it.'

On our way through the midtown traffic, I had called and asked Luka to join us at the fitting.. Not just for a second opinion, but because where Verity is forceful and demanding, Luka is compromising and patient.. The twins are yin and yang, and I will need them both if I am to make any kind of progress in mediating their family feud..

"This will be good for them.." I smile in the face of Viktor's doubt.. "You'll see.."

...

My bodyguard holds the door like a gentleman as I wander into the studio, my head swiveling to take in the luxe white decor with awe..

Feeling under-dressed, inferior and out of place, I'm greeted by a worryingly smiley Verity.. She is dressed in a hip-hugging little red dress, six inch black pumps and a vampy blood-hued lipstick.. The woman looks every bit the vision of chic high fashion as she slips demurely from a flute of champagne.. She is flanked by two painfully thin shop assistants, both of whom eye me as if I were a stray who'd stumbled into their shop.. But as my soon to be sister in law saunters towards me, the assistants quickly change their scowls into smiles..

"Sunny-Sunshine, you made it! Champagne?" Verity thrusts the flute in my direction and my left hand settles subconsciously over my stomach..

"You know I can't drink that, Verity.." I shake my head to decline, pushing away the glass while noting the way she wobbles ever so slightly in her stilettos..

"Oh, one little sip won't hurt!" Verity laughs, a taunting messy trill.. "Petra drank vodka when she was pregnant with me and Luka- look at how perfectly I turned out!"