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She’d tucked Zoe into bed an hour ago. Hector hadn’t been able to make it to dinner tonight, but he was on his way. All she had to do was prepare her class for tomorrow, then she would make her husband the Italian dinner of his life.
Last night, he had seemed a bit off. After Mrs. Wilson had left, he went back to work, not returning until the early morning. Though she was disappointed by his absence, she kept that to herself. He was a busy man after all, running his own company.
Making Hector happy was one of her missions in life. She didn’t ever want him to regret marrying her. So tonight, she was making his favorite dinner, and then she hoped he would makeherhis dinner.
She was looking up an old recipe, when the doorbell rang and then her sister waltzed inside.
Gina looked as beautiful as ever in a pink designer dress. It was the first time since before her wedding she’d seen her sister. The last time they had talked was when she’d invited Gina to the wedding. Frankly, she was still hurt that her own sister hadn’t bothered to come.
“I like your house, though it’s a bit small. I would have thought Hector could afford something bigger.”
“Nice to see you too, sis,” she said dryly.
Gina dropped onto the couch. “It’s good to be back on U.S. soil. You have no idea how stuck up Andrew’s family was.”
Mary sat on the recliner across her sister. “Andrew?” She couldn’t keep up with the men Gina was dating.
“He’s British. Comes from old money and a line of blue blood. He thinks dating a mob princess, as he’s dubbed me, is incredibly naughty.” She snorted. “He also believes that he’s saving me from this life. All I have to do is keep up appearances until he pops the question.”
It seemed a tedious job; pretending to be something you’re not. “I’m glad you’re home. We haven’t readied a guest room yet, but I’ve put your stuff in the attic, so you can—”
“I’m not here to stay. I just need…” A blush spread over Gina’s high cheekbones. “Andrew is taking me to a fundraiser tomorrow night. It will be filled with snooty British people and the creme de la creme of San Fran’s high society. I can’t show up in an old dress, and I can’t ask Andrew to buy me one. He will think that I’m after his money.”
Mary swallowed a hateful remark. She wished she could make her sister see that she didn’t need a man to make a living.
“You need money.”
“Yes. For the dress, and uh… I owe some to certain people.”
“What kind of people?”
“No one of any importance. Once I have Andrew’s ring on my finger, it will all resolve itself. Now, can you help me out or not?”
“Of course I’ll help you out, you’re my sister. I don’t have much on me right now, but—”
Gina let out a harsh laugh. “You’re kidding, right? Look at where you live.”
Yes, she lived in a big house, but it was Hector’s. “You know this isn’t my house. You know that me living here doesn’t automatically mean that I’m rich. Of all people,youshould know that.”
A shrewd look entered Gina’s eyes. “If you play your cards right, you could be rich.”
She didn’t like the sound of where this was going. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Did you sign a pre-nup?”
“Um, no.” It had never even crossed her mind. She didn’t have any assets—other than a shrinking trust fund—and she’d just assumed Hector was doing well with his company. She hadn’t known about him owning shares in the multi-billion-dollar Detta corporation.
“Good. This gives you all the power and a lot of options. You don’t have to stay with him, you know. You could just leave him and take everything with you.”
Mary started feeling really uncomfortable. “I would never do that. And I’m done talking about this with you.”
“Don’t be naive, Mary. Men cheat. They get bored. Especially rich men. Sooner or later, Hector will go looking for another. You should be prepared for that. It can’t hurt to talk to a lawyer. Hector might not share the same last name as the Dettas, but he is one nonetheless. When the inevitable happens, he will try to intimidate you into signing—”
“Stop.” She took a deep breath. “I understand that you’re going through a difficult time. Especially after what happened with Jazzy. I know Gio had a talk with you.” Which was probably an understatement. Gina had been chalk-white after whatever Gio had threatened her with. Unlike what her sister believed, Mary wasn’t naive. Gina had played a role in Jazzy’s kidnapping, even if it were by accident. Men like Giovanni Detta didn’t normally let that slide. Her sister was lucky to be alive. “But I can’t let you slander Hector in his own home. That man has been nothing but good to me and Zoe. I don’t believe he will try any intimidation tactics, should it come to a divorce.” She ignored Gina’s snort. “Besides, he wouldn’t have to. I would gladly sign any document. I’d even do it now if he asked me.”
“You’re a fool,” Gina spat, jumping off the couch.
Mary expected her sister to make a dramatic exit, as she was prone to do, but she was still standing. Right, the money.