Page 162 of Sins of the Orchid

The spotlight shone on me and instinctively, I faked a smile while my back stiffened. Being the face for Regalè Fashion House, I’d learned to hide behind a smile. Though I wasn’t as good as Grandma. It was the reason I liked hiding behind designing. It was easier for me. My petty revenge to ensure Santi saw me everywhere backfired… a little.

“Amore has been part of Regalè Fashion House even as a little girl. For almost a decade now, in one form or another, she has learned the ins and outs of the company,” Grandma spoke in her boardroom voice. “Over the last few months, she’s been the leader this company needed.” She let the words hang in the air. For dramatic effect, I guessed. Then she continued. “As such, I am permanently stepping down. My granddaughter is ready to take full responsibility forherempire.”

The smile on my face froze. She had talked about it for so long, but I hadn’t anticipated that she’d make the final decision and announcement without talking to me first. The flash of cameras went into turbo mode and the sound of shocked gasps filled the room. The legend of Regalè House would forever be remembered.

She raised her hands and immediately the whispered chatter ceased, the flash of cameras stopped.

Smile, Amore.Mother’s voice echoed in my brain.Smile.

I knew she’d drop another bomb on me. Whatever she had to say, it would send reporters into a frenzy. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here. Everything Grandma did was methodical and with purpose.

“She loves her dramatics,” I muttered under my breath.

“That she does,” Lorenzo whispered in my ear and my head snapped his way. “It is probably why she is sopopular.”

I rolled my eyes. He was right, she did.

“Amore, please come join me up here,” Grandma demanded.

“Oh, Jesus,” I mumbled under my breath, then answered, barely holding my smile. “I’m okay, Grandma.”

“I insist. Now come on up here, or I’ll have to get all the king’s horses to drag you up here.”

She would too. Not sure where she would find the king's horses, but she’d find a way. There was a reason why most men were scared of her.

I pushed my shoulders back and braced for whatever the hell was coming.

“Good luck,” Lorenzo whispered.

My eyes darted his way, noting pity in his eyes.

“We should have stayed in Italy,” I whispered.

“Too late now,” Gabriel Carrera mused. Why did I feel like Santi, Lorenzo, and Carrera were ganging up on me? It was a ridiculous notion, but I couldn't shake it off.

“Come, Amore,” Grandma urged me forward. “I’m not getting any younger here.”

“Neither am I, Grandma,” I answered her, sending the crowd into a chuckle as I took each step with a heavy heart, painfully aware of Santi’s eyes on the back of my neck. Every fine piece of hair stood up on my body, like a magnet attracted to its opposite.

The grin Grandmother gave me spoke of trouble.

Please don’t announce the engagement. I’m not ready. Please. Please.

I took her offered hand and joined her on the runway, my heart slamming hard against my ribs, threatening to break them with its force.

CHAPTER60

Santino

Should I feel guilty for snatching my brother’s fiancèe?

I didn’t.

Should I feel bad for forcing Amore’s grandmother into a corner and blackmailing her?

Not one fucking bit.

Adriano has been chasing pussy all over the city throughout his friendship with Amore. Ever since I told him about the marriage contract, he’d gone into overdrive. Like it was the last piece of ass he’d ever get. He practically fucked any woman that glanced his way.