Page 19 of Bride By Initiation

My driver pulls onto the road to take me home, and my phone dings. I look down and read the message.

Unknown: Want answers to your questions? Then come ready to fight. Address to come.

I reread the message and then respond.

Me: Who is this?

Unknown: The Omnipotence has spoken. Your bid will be determined.

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4

Zara

Several Weeks Later

"Congratulations. It's now your business," I tell my clients.

Amy Eiden, a twenty-one-year-old social influencer, hugs her soon-to-be fifty-eight-year-old tycoon husband, chirping, "Thanks, so much for loaning me the money, Roy. I'm going to do well. I promise I'll pay you back."

"You don't have to pay me back. And you're going to do great, honey." He pecks her on the cheek, then hugs her.

She cringes, then puts her fake expression back on before he releases her.

Roy puts his hand out. "Zara, it's been great doing business with you."

"Thank you. You too. And best of luck to you, Amy." I shake their hands and then my assistant escorts them from the conference room.

I spend several minutes adding my signatures to a few documents and then hand over the pile of contracts to my paralegal. I return to my office and get lost in another client's issues.

My phone buzzes. I pick it up and glance at the message.

Fiona: You've beenavoiding me.

Me: Haha. No, I haven't. Work's been insane.

Fiona: Tell me about it. Early dinner? I'm dying for some sushi.

Me: Sounds perfect.

Fiona: Meet you in 30 minutes at Forty-Five Degrees? The new sous-chef over there is pure eye candy.

Me: What about Marcus?

Fiona: Well, what Marcus doesn't know...

I laugh.

Me: You're so bad. I'll see you soon.

Fiona: Bye.

I finish the last of my work and then pack up for the day. I text Calogero that I'm ready, then make my way through the building. As soon as I step outside, he opens the back door to the SUV. I quickly get in and tell him, "Forty-Five Degrees, please."

"Seems to be your new hangout," he teases.

I exclaim, "It's so good! It never disappoints."

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