Page 99 of Scorned Beauty

I wasn’t a stranger to solariums being used as meeting places. We had one at the De Lucci mansion where stories were told about how my grandfather had settled mob business in there. I expected Margo to be surrounded by bodyguards, but then again, a swarm of security would call too much attention to herself. And Margo liked to operate discreetly. Still, I was surprised I wasn’t asked to leave my weapons in a lockbox before meeting her. After all, I’d been simmering with a low-hum aggression against her for hiding Sloane.

She better have a good excuse.

When the receptionist announced me, she didn’t look up from the bouquet of purple flowers she was arranging in a faded green container.

“Dominic.”

“Ms. Winthrop.”

“I think you should call me Margo.”

I didn’t respond. I wasn’t saying another word until she gave me her eyes. She finally looked at me. A black apron protected an expensive ivory suit. She was in black heels. Not the attire of someone working as a florist.

“You were the one who paid Sloane to go away.”

She shrugged. “Yes.”

“And you also told Kirill where to find her.”

“I needed you and Sloane back in Manhattan.”

“And the answer was to send Kirill after us?”

“You’re back, aren’t you?”

I scoffed, “You don’t just send the pakhan of the Zahkarov bratva to do the work of a soldier.”

Her eyes glinted with mock amusement. “I don’t deal with soldiers. I sent a pakhan for a don. You should be thankful I respected you that much.”

“And Kirill just did your bidding?”

“I told him I could help him clear Kolya’s name. And before you ask more questions—yes, he threatened me first to hand over what he wants.”

“No one threatens Margo Winthrop.”

“Isn’t that what you’re here to do?”

“That depends,Margo,” I taunted. “That depends what your interest in Sloane is. She’s a pawn for sure, but will it keep her safe?”

“I’m doing you a favor.”

“By keeping Sloane away from me? If you really cared for her, you should have turned her over to me.”

“Really?” She laughed in a mocking way that grated over my nerves. Margo set the shears on the table, stood back, and surveyed the damn flowers. “I see how youcaredfor her. Let me remind you of that scene in front of the Hummingbird Room.”

I flinched. That time I viciously rejected Sloane. But how…

Margo sighed. “You should know by now I have eyes everywhere.”

She shed the gardening gloves and tapped them together. “Your mother was keen on a marriage between you and Aralina Zahkarov.”

“I already told her no.”

“Be that as it may, she’s not giving up. Carlotta isn’t one to be dissuaded easily. She’s made it a sport to manipulate the men in her life. She’s a Moretti after all and you’re half of that side.”

I wasn’t going to tell her about my mother’s depression issues. She probably knew but I wasn’t going to add to that knowledge. So I simply stared at her, waiting for her to elaborate.

“From the start I was not in favor of the match,” she said. “And you were apathetic about it. I was curious why. I got my answer on New Year’s Eve.”