“I believe the piece you wore last night was from a jeweler in Antwerp.” Gabby cocks her head, but she wouldn’t have spoken without being confident.
“You are correct, Miss. Her last purchase was from Antwerp. A very good eye. Like Miss Winters.” The owner nearly trips over himself in his attempt at flattery.
Gabby’s feisty vibe from last night continues. She’s making a show that she won’t be pushed around and would rather be treated with the brains she clearly has over being stereotyped as the dutiful wife. Well, that just shows how little she knows about this world.
“An interesting engagement ring for someone who knows her diamonds,” I offer, looking at the piece on her finger.
“What can I say? I like things to be unique. Everyone has a diamond on their finger,” she says, looking down at her own ring. “Engagement rings are important.” She glances at my own bare ring finger, a wry smile on her face. “Wedding rings, too.” Bitch. Much more of her needling and I’m liable to snap, despite Benjamin’s expectations.
I turn my attention to Emily. Once again, I’m struck by her appearance. She’s married to Quinn Cane, for Christ’s sake. My heart pounds in my chest as I try to put them together—opposites who shouldn’t even be in the same league as one another.
“Anywhere you’d like to go, Emily?” I gush.
“I’m happy for you to show me where you find such stunning dresses. You looked like a model last night.” Her British manners and politeness nearly have me rolling my eyes in detestation.
“Of course.” I usher her through the door, which Gabby’s goon holds open for us, and into the waiting car. Gabby takes her time to come out. She stops to talk with her goon. They seem friendly, nothing like the relationship I have with Torino. I’ve always given him a hard time, felt like I needed to show him I deserved to be at Benjamin’s side. Seeing Gabby now makes me think perhaps there’s a different way.
Silly, really. I shake my head and focus on the next step of our trip.
“Ready,” Gabby announces as she joins us a few minutes later.
“To Lee’s, please.”
The car peels off and back into the traffic. My expression remains blank as I wait to see how Gabby and Emily interact. Emily fiddles with the bands on her finger and seems content watching the outside world. Gabby, on the other hand, just sits back as if she owns the space.
Benjamin wanted me to play nice, but he also wanted me to use their backgrounds. Any advantage. My next move needs to rattle her if I can’t befriend her. I think back to the conversation over dinner. Right before we moved away to the bar, she was intent on staying. She has a vested interest in the Yakuza. As do I.
“By the way, who’s Andreas?” I turn my glare to her and watch for her reaction. She frowns a little. “You mentioned him at dinner,” I offer.
Her frown turns harder, but she can’t hide the look of hurt and pain that rolls over her features before she turns away. Whoever he is, he means something to Gabby, and he’s involved in why the Canes are here. I tuck that little piece of information away for now, but I’m certain it will prove useful.
At Lee’s, I make Emily feel like the centre of the world. The assistants help to screen off an area of the store. We have champagne delivered to us, and I hand pick several outfits I’d consider for myself but hand them to Emily.
“Oh, no. These are too much.”
“Nonsense. You’ll be dynamite in them. At least try.” I focus all my attention on her. Not only are there several dresses, there’s also underwear, shoes and accessories.
After I sit and sip half a glass of champagne, Emily finally emerges from the changing room. Her appearance has completely changed. Under the simple, yet colourful attire she wore today, she has a knockout figure, one that reminds me of a 1940s pin-up.
“Emily, wow. Look at you.”
“You know, the dress is lovely, but I’d rather something simpler that covers my top half more.” She fiddles with the neckline uncomfortably and doesn’t meet her own reflection in the mirror.
“Nonsense. If I had a chest like yours, I certainly wouldn’t be hiding it behind sweaters. You look fantastic, sweetie. She’ll take everything,” I cheer towards the assistant.
“Wait, no. I’m not here to indulge, really.”
I stare at her and force her to look me in the eye. This little mouse is scared of her own reflection, yet she can keep a man like Cane? I tilt my head, unconcerned that I look like I’m figuring out a puzzle.
“I insist. My treat if money is the problem.”
“Oh, it’s not,” Gabby interrupts. “She can buy whatever she likes, which is more than I can probably say for you.” My eyes swing to hers, ready to give as good as she's giving. “If she doesn’t feel comfortable, don’t force her into buying something simply to be polite.”
“Gabby, it’s fine. The dress is gorgeous.”
I cross my arms as if Emily just proved my point. Gabby shrugs her shoulders and heads back to the front of the store.
“Emily, it’s up to you. I’m sure Quinn will approve.”
