Page 39 of Dark Masquerade
Elli shifted uncomfortably. “I’d rather do it out of the office if you don’t mind.”
Vivienne’s smile faded and she nodded. “Gotcha. One o’clock okay for you?”
Elli gave her a grateful smile. “Perfect.”
In her office, she hung up her coat, then sat down. She grinned at the small potted plant and pulled it towards her. It didn’t take long to find the little bug that Indio had planted on the bottom of the pot. She lifted it to her lips.
“I love you,” she said in a low, amused voice, “I hope you’re listening because otherwise I just told an African violet that I loved it. Which is true, but I meantyou, Indio. I love you so much.”
She had spoken in a low whisper, sure that if Aldo had bugged her office too, he would not have heard it. She had come to the conclusion that Aldo was watching her and that he was behind the stalking and the threats. He wanted to keep her scared and act the protector. It was just another way of controlling her.
God, how had this all happened in the last few weeks? But, somehow, Elli thought, now looking back, it had been inevitable. There had always been something about Aldo that had been undefinable. Now she knew what it was—he was insane.
Somehow, she managed to focus her mind on work until one o’clock rolled around and she met with Vivienne outside, at an out-of-the-way café.
Vivienne listened to what Elli told her with mounting horror. Elli looked at her after she’d finished.
“Do you think I’m crazy?”
Vivienne shook her head, still trying to process what Elli had told her. “Elli, playing Devil’s advocate here …do you think you should immediately trust what Indio is telling you?”
Elli flushed. “I can understand why you asked me that …but yes. Finding proof will confirm it, but yes, I believe Indio.”
“Jesus, Elli, then why are you still living with Aldo?”
“Because if I leave him, hewillkill me.”
Vivienne blanched. “Isn’t he planning that already? Just leave and we’ll arrange protection.”
“There’s also Aldo’s investment in the magazine. He could pull the rug from underneath us and bring the magazine to its knees, and he knows it.”
“Screw the magazine! Your life is worth more. God, when I think I encouraged you to …” Vivienne suddenly reached up and plucked the scarf from Elli’s neck. The dark bruises on her throat were stark again her skin. “Oh my god,Elli…”
Elli put the scarf back on. “It was unintentional …. this time, he was asleep. He was appalled when I told him what happened.”
“Thistime …Jesus.” Vivienne dropped her head in her hands for a moment, then looked at her friend, her expression fierce. “Okay. Look, we get proactive. I’ll start the process of looking for another investor, quietly, and I think you could use some space to go do some snooping. We’ll set up a trip somewhere neutral—Paris, I think—and you fly there, then on to Uganda to investigate Aldo’s business interest over there. I’ll pay for that ticket out of my own pocket, so it doesn’t have to go through the magazine's accounts. I don’t want you there more than a couple of days, though. He’s obviously got spies everywhere.”
The waiter interrupted them then. “Excuse me, ladies, can I refill your drinks?”
They both nodded, and the waiter took their glasses. In a second he was back, but on the tray he left, there was a napkin covered something bulky. Elli and Vivienne looked at each other before Elli picked up the napkin. On the tray sat a burner phone covered with lilac-colored rhinestones. It looked so tacky that they both laughed and Elli grinned as it began to ring. Vivienne looked confused.
“Hey, baby,” Elli said as she answered the call. She mouthed an apology to Vivienne, who waved in assent
Indio chuckled. “Hello, gorgeous. I thought you would appreciate the bling.”
“You lunatic. I love you.”
“Love you too,cara mia. You look beautiful right now. Don’t turn around. I’m sitting behind you, two tables away.”
Elli felt warmth rush through her knowing he was so close. “Did you hear what we were saying?”
“Some. And I think I can help on two of those issues. One—your magazine will be fine. I’ll make sure of that. You have me as an investor for as long as you want me.”
“Oh, god, Indio, that’s wonderful. Thank you.”
“Don’t say my name, just in case, baby. The other thing …I’ll meet you in Paris and go with you to Uganda. There’s no way I’m letting you go there on your own. It’s too dangerous.”
Elli was silent for a moment. “Then I guess we take our first trip together.”
