Page 1 of Deadly Misfortunes

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Not for one minute did Gregory Landry believe that Sascha Lassiter, also known as Sascha the Sensation, could really envision anyone’s future, but he was determined to learn the truth about her and her cousins, Katrina and Lucy. They were also purported to have the same abilities, but he believed it was all a sham.

Katrina had convinced another billionaire—Prescott Worthington, Gregory’s competitor in the furniture industry—that she was his one and only. What made it even stranger was that it was shortly after they had met.

Gregory made his way to Sascha to have her read his palm and confirm she was a con artist. For entertainment purposes, sure. But still, he had trouble playing the game. So why was he even doing so?

Sascha was dressed in exotic gypsy colors in rust, blue, orange, and emerald green, her top a corset, her sleeves billowed out except at the wrists, where they were banded and covered in faux gems. Her skirt was full and flouncy, and she wore gem-covered sandals.

What caught his attention the most was her curly red hair, just as red as his own. Redheads always gained his notice, but she was beautiful, her green eyes catlike as she read a guest’s palm.

He couldn’t believe he would stand in line to see her, just to have her tell him a bunch of nonsense. He was debating whether to tell her what he thought of her “talent,” but he’d heard she was a remarkable dancer, and that’s what he really wanted to do—dance with her.

The blonde woman in front of him finally finished her reading, all smiles, and Gregory shook his head.

Then he stood in front of the redheaded seductress, his palm outstretched, waiting for the made-up story to spill from her pretty, peach-colored lips. And realized he still had a faint hint of blue paint on his hands.

Momentarily, Sascha Lassiter was distracted from reading the redhead’s lightly painted blue palm at the Worthingtons’ party in Perrytown, Texas, as she caught sight of her pregnant cousin Katrina, carrying twins and just beginning to show. Sascha was dying to know if she had made love to her husband, Prescott Worthington, before they were married.

If so, Sascha knew that if she found her true soulmate this time, she wouldn’t lose her powers by making love to a man. If she could just be sure, she would find the right one.

She’d never been jealous of anything her cousin had ever done. Now that Katrina had found her soulmate, Sascha couldn’t help but feel she had to do the same, and in a hurry. At twenty-seven, she felt she’d never find the man who would be hers forever. Neither Katrina nor their Aunt Meg had helped. What were the signs?

Certain that her former boyfriend, Damon Ashford, was her one and only, she realized at once her folly when she made love to him and lost her special ability to see the future or the past. As a professional fortune teller, even though most people didn’t believe she really had the ability, she hated losing her powers.

Five long years without them seemed like losing one of her senses for an eternity. Now they were back. With renewed determination, she had to find the one who would complete her life.

She turned her attention back to the redhead. “I’m sorry for the interruption, Mr.—”

“Gregory Landry, of the Dallas Landrys. I would have thought that with your extra special abilities, you would have ‘seen’ who I was.”

Megabucks Landry. She smiled. “Mr. Landry. I should have known you anywhere.”

“You can call me Gregory. I understand Katrina is your cousin.”

Sascha sat back in her chair. He wasn’t concerned with a reading of his future. So what was he really interested in? She sensed his concern ran deeper…much deeper. “She’s also my best friend. Why are you here anyway? I thought you and the Worthingtons competed with one another in the furniture business. I can’t imagine you being at his party.”

“Somewhat.”

“So why are you here?”

“Camden and I golf together on occasion. We socialize from time to time.” A sly smile twitched Gregory’s lip.

Somehow his words didn’t ring true. Though her ability to read minds had returned, she still had difficulty with mixed messages, something she hoped would sort itself out in time.

“Do you want me to read your palm, Gregory?”

“You’re going to tell me I’m in danger.”

She folded her arms. That was her job. If he happened to be in danger. She preferred to learn of folks finding love, getting a promotion at work, or receiving some wonderful accolade. They might not believe her until it happened, but deadly encounters were another matter entirely. Especially after what had happened between Katrina and Prescott.

Gregory smiled, his lightly peach-freckled face brightening as dimples appeared. He had such a manly-looking face—high cheekbones and a strong chin—but the freckles were what really made her smile. “I know how these things go. You’re given a list of the guests’ names and some interesting tidbits about their lives.”

“Then how did I not know about you attending?”

“I wasn’t on the guest list.”

“Oh. So a party crasher.”