Page 38 of Midnight Salvation

“I’m bored,” she complained, her forehead wrinkling in a frown.

“We’re going to see Harold after lunch if you want to join us,” I said, hoping to jolt her out of her bad mood. Catarina loved everything shiny and surrounding her with gold and jewels would definitely help.

She chewed the side of her mouth. “Can we go clothes shopping afterward?”

I arched an eyebrow in reply. “You do not need more shoes.”

“I do need more shoes. They make me happy.”

Papa groaned when he heard our conversation. “Your shoes need their own house. One day, you will realise that one pair of sensible shoes is sufficient.”

I doubted Catarina would ever realise that, but had no intention of arguing the point when she was in this mood. Her security officer Tom wandered into the kitchen and gave her a disapproving look before moving toward the pantry. He was becoming a problem because he was trying to control her since she made the mistake of thinking she was in love with him.

After pretending to eat while pushing my lunch around the plate, I gathered my designs and the zip drive with the information for my latest collection on it, and went to the kitchen to find Francis.

“I’ll take the girls, it doesn’t take both of us to watch over shoe shopping,” Tom said to Francis.

I stopped at the doorway to listen to their conversation. What Tom didn’t know was that Ash had his own security patrols watching me, and he’d put the fear of God into Francis before he left. My husband took being territorial to an entirely different level. I didn’t doubt that he was watching over me even from a distance with his own safety at risk.

“Then you take the day off,” Francis deflected. “Harold is very suspicious of new people on his property and he knows that I go with Lucrezia everywhere.”

The expression that crossed Tom’s face before he neutralised it told me that he wasn’t happy with the situation.

“Ready?” I walked into the room with a smile on my face and pretending that I didn’t hear the end of their conversation. “I sent Harold a text to let him know that Catarina was coming with us and to lock up the loose jewellery.”

“Did someone mention my name?” Catarina arrived from the other door that led from the front of the house.

“Me,” I replied. “I told Harold to lock up his jewellery.”

Her grin was infectious. “I think I’m going to enjoy having a famous jewellery artist as a sister.”

“I doubt my accountant would be amused if I started to give away the profits.” I laughed.

“Ugh! Ash is too serious. Tell him that I am free advertising.”

“When it comes to diamonds and spreadsheets, I doubt he’ll consider anything as free,” I said and Francis laughed and shook his head.

“Alright you two. Into the car and let’s get going if you want to buy shoes as well.” Francis herded us out, much to the annoyance of Tom.

Maybe I should text Ash about Catarina’s security detail? He wouldn’t react like Papa, but I was sure he would disappear within twenty-four hours and stop tormenting my sister.

I sat in the car and pretended to check emails on my phone.

Me:What are you doing today?

I stared at the phone, expecting it to burst into life and connect me to the man I was thinking about constantly. Three hundred and seventy-two seconds had passed before my phone pinged.

Ash:Sitting in a meeting with Dad and trying not to fall asleep.

Me:How’s the fiancée?

Ash:Not as sexy as my wife.

A small smile lifted the corner of my lips.

Me:I’m on my way to Harold’s to sort out my latest collection.

Ash:Try not to break the business budget.

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