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As I walked into the silent hallway, I took a deep breath, raking my hand through my long curls. I could do this. Whatever the outcome, I would make the right decision.
The walk reminded me of heading down the cement path leading to the electrocution chamber. Okay, so the dramatics were getting the better of me. I blamed it on the lack of sleep and my fear of whatever I was about to face.
Just standing in front of the suite door made me crazy, so much so I almost panicked and raced away. Thank God my usual courage prevailed.
Almost as soon as I knocked on the door, the same man from before opened the door, giving me a hard onceover before nodding.
“You’re right on time. Ms. Rossi will like that.”
Now at least I had her full name.
As he opened the door, allowing me inside, I couldn’t help but swoon from seeing the opulent surroundings. The suite was fabulous in my book. Hell, it would be to anyone. From the sweeping views of the city and the baby grand placed off center from an all-leather furniture seating arrangement to the fresh flowers in two locations, I felt as if I’d walked into the most lavish environment I’d ever be allowed to see.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“I don’t know if you have a Coke?” My throat was parched, my mind spinning. At least with a can of soda in front of my face, I could hide behind it.
“Of course. Make yourself at home.”
My feet were heavy as I walked further inside, hating I hadn’t worn my one good dress instead. When I moved toward the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows, it was impossible not to gasp from the stunning highlight of the city I’d adopted years before. I stood smack in front of one of them, gawking at the surreal feeling of being here. I was almost like a giddy kid being allowed to run free in a toy store.
I felt the large man’s presence behind me and turned slightly. He’d brought a fancy glass with ice, popping the opening and pouring as if he was a waiter in a fine restaurant.
“Ms. Rossi will be right with you.”
“Thank you. What’s your name?”
He seemed surprised I’d bothered to ask. I was rewarded with a smile. At least it took me away from staring at his scar. “Leonardo.”
“Thank you, Leonardo. I appreciate your kindness.”
There was no doubt I’d pleased him, which surprised me. Who was he in relation to Maria? After a few seconds, I moved toward the glass coffee table, grabbing the Coke, trying my best not to gulp the entire contents. That wouldn’t be very ladylike. Now, would it? I waited in front of the window for what seemed like fifteen minutes, even though I knew it was only one or two. Sadly, I couldn’t stop the nervousness nearly tearing my stomach apart.
After taking a couple of sips, I moved toward the piano, running my fingers over the top, marveling in how gorgeous it was. I couldn’t help myself, using my right hand only to play a little of a melody I remembered from taking lessons in what seemed like a lifetime before.
Only a few seconds later, I felt a presence and slowly lifted my head. My assumptions had been correct. The woman who’d requested the meeting was the same one from the diner, but the only way I recognized her was from the fact she was wearing the same luxurious, diamond-encrusted watch.
She appeared completely different than before, also wearing jeans with a funky blouse, only I had a feeling her jeans cost several hundred dollars. She was also wearing fashionable boots and chunky gold jewelry, the slender-fitting attire highlighting her hourglass figure while her long raven curls did the same for her stunning face.
Maria was my age, a young girl who obviously had been given a different path in her life. There was one aspect that I couldn’t get over. Given a change in clothes and the loss of jewelry, she could pass for me, a dead ringer.
Or vice versa.
What in God’s name was going on?
CHAPTER 6
Margot
We stared at each other for an undetermined period of time and it was amazing to see a carbon copy of myself.
Maria finally smiled, taking several steps closer. When she walked all the way around me, I sensed I was being dissected even more than I’d been in the diner.
“Thank you for coming,” Maria said.
“Why am I here?”
When she moved to the couch, sitting down as gracefully as she’d done everything else, I felt more awkward than I was used to but mimicked her action, trying not to knock over the glass as I returned it to the table. Even her perfume reeked of luxury.
