“We did, but”—Emily gestured to the room, the
empty hall, the low hum of distant voices—“this place tends to strip away the
surface very quickly, doesn’t it. We spent quite a long time waiting yesterday
with nothing to do but talk.”
“I’ve known Derian all my life,” Aud said.
“She’s not usually a sharer.”
Emily smiled. “That doesn’t surprise me. You
grew up together?”
“Our fathers
grew up together—prep school, college, even studied law together.
Our families were like one big extended family. We’re almost the same age, so
we literally knew each other from the beginning.”
“I didn’t realize Mr. Winfield was also an
attorney.”
“Martin never practiced. My father, like my
grandfather, is the Winfield attorney.”
“And now you.”
“And now me,” Aud said softly.
“Did you always know you’d work with your
father?”
“No,” Aud said. “I had visions of a different
path, but somewhere along the way, I gave in. Or maybe I just changed my mind.”
“Would you happen to know Donatella Agnelli?”
Emily asked.
“Donatella? Oh,” Aud said, “did she show up
at the agency already?” She gave a short laugh. “That sounds like Donatella.
She doesn’t waste time.”
Emily stiffened. “Yes, she’s there. We
weren’t expecting her.”
“Martin instructed her to review the agency,
since of course, Henrietta won’t be available for an indefinite period of
time.”
“Review?”
“Keep things going,” Aud said, probably being
deliberately vague, the way lawyers often were.
“I see,” Emily said, hoping she was wrong
about Donatella’s true agenda.
Chapter Thirteen
Emily got up to deposit her cardboard cup in the
trash just as Derian walked in. She stopped abruptly, ambushed by a shock wave
of sensation. She’d hoped to see her, but hadn’t anticipated the impact. She
actually shivered, and she wasn’t the least bit cold. If anything, she felt
feverish—everywhere. All her mental rationalizations as to why she shouldn’t be
captivated by Derian Winfield promptly disappeared with the first glance.
Derian’s face was set in tight lines, faint shadows bruising the skin beneath
her eyes, but she was still every bit as arresting as she had been the night
before. When she saw Emily, a spark ignited in her dark gaze and that intense
laser-like focus fixed on her. Emily’s instant desire to comfort her warred
with her faltering sense of self-preservation. Caring for someone was safe
enough, as long as one kept a firm grip on reality—wasn’t it?
“Hello, Derian.” Emily couldn’t keep the
pleasure at seeing her from her voice. So much for the firm grip on reality.
She ought to move out of the way, let Derian go to Aud, who’d accompanied her,
after all, but she couldn’t escape the hold of Derian’s gaze. Despite the
clouds roiling in Derian’s eyes, Emily grew even warmer, as if she’d stepped
into a pool of sunshine on an overcast day. She couldn’t give up that heat,
even if she risked being burned. Not yet.