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  Bella leaned forward exposing her ample cleavage, letting her gaze sweep over him. “What a charming thought.”

  He blushed, something he would have sworn he hadn’t done since he was a boy. He cast a glance at Sabina to see how she was taking this conversation though he had no idea why it should matter to him.

  Once again the elegant Italian rolled her eyes. He couldn’t help wondering if there was banked passion there. Italians were known for their ardor. Did that calm exterior hide hot burning desire? He squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. This wasn’t the thing to be thinking of right now but by damn he did intend to find out.

  * * * * *

  Victoria inhaled air deep into her belly. She should never have called pretty boy. If she hadn’t, the women would be dead now. But she couldn’t resist taunting him, watching him ride to the rescue like a knight of old. He excited her. He was dark and dangerous, her kind of man. All she had to do was get rid of the women and then she’d have him for her own personal plaything. And when she tired of him…she’d kill him.

  Chapter Four

  “Why do you do that,” Sabina fussed as they rode the elevator to their floor.

  “It’s expected, sugar. And it’s fun.” She threw up her hands and lifted her shoulders. “Men are so easy. I just can’t help playing with them.”

  “And what does Hank think about it?” Sabina arched her eyebrows and shot her a look.

  “Oh he grumbles but he knows I’d never betray him, nor have the desire to. I just enjoy my toys and as I have to keep repeating to everyone,” she said dramatically, spreading her arms wide, as the elevator slid to a stop and they got out, “I’m an artist. A fine piece of flesh appeals to me aesthetically.”

  “Bella, you are so full of it.”

  “Such cynicism in one so young.” Bella shook her head, her expression sad.

  “See there you go again.” Sabina said inserting her card into the door.

  “I love you too, sugar.”

  “Oh, Bella, I do love you, I’m just a bit edgy tonight.” She straightened and gave her friend a hug.

  “Besides the fact that you nearly went over a cliff, would it have anything to do with me flirting with your man?” Bella asked her expression knowing.

  “He’s not my man and I could not care less about who you flirt with…sugar.” Sabina stiffened and stepped back, her eyes flashing, annoyed all over again. She shoved open the door and stalked in then stopped so abruptly Bella walked into her. “Merda!”

  Bella peered over her shoulder and echoed her sentiments in English. “Shit. Room’s been tossed.”

  Sabina’s jewelry, clothes and personal possessions lay in a careless heap in the middle of the floor.

  The room safe’s door stood open, the fake amulet in plain sight.

  “That’s not the real one is it?”

  “No.” Sabina stared at her trashed room.

  Where is it?” Bella’s hand tightened on Sabina’s arm.

  Sabina ran into the bathroom, Bella at her heels. Sabina picked up a large bar of wet beauty soap and began to pry at it with her fingernails.

  “What are you doing, sugar?”

  “Damn, broke a nail,” Sabina muttered before she pried out the armband.

  “Sugar, you are a caution. But you are taking years off my life with your inventiveness. You are going to have to keep your amulet on you at all times,” Bella said, an unexpected firmness in her voice peeking through her thick Southern accent.

  Sabina ran the amulet under the water washing off the flecks of white residue. “Bella, you know I can’t wear it when I sing.”

  “Then give it to me right before you go on stage and I’ll return it directly after the show.”

  “Deal,” Sabina said, shaking the excess water off the amulet. She dried it and put it on. A thought stopped her and she spun around. “We better check your room.”

  They ran out of Sabina’s suite and hurried to Bella’s room next door. As soon as the lock clicked they rushed inside, Sabina pushing against Bella’s back in her haste to get in. They looked at the room. It too had been tossed.

  Bella glanced around her eyes narrowed. “It’s not bad enough to bring in the police or the hotel manager. Victoria is sending us a message. She wants us to know she can get to us anytime. She’s playing with us.” Bella straightened. “And I don’t like it one bit.”

  Sabina turned to her friend. “Bella, stay with me tonight.”

  “Why sure, sugar, if it will make you feel better.”

  “It would.” But not the way her friend thought. She wore the power amulet and could take care of herself. Bella wore her creativity amulet. And while that was good for a lot of things, it couldn’t stop a bullet. Her eyes narrowed and her lips formed a cold smile. But the power amulet could.

  Sabina stared in distaste at a pair of sapphire blue bikini briefs tossed carelessly on the floor. Having your undergarments handled was a form of violation. Victoria would know that.

  But how would she know they’d both be out after the show? Or had this happened during the show? Were Victoria and Adam in cahoots? She crossed her hands and pressed them against her stomach. The thought made her physically ill.

  As if reading her mind, Bella reached over and hugged her. “He didn’t have anything to do with this, sugar. He’s interested in you. Maybe more than he realizes.”

  Sabina hugged her back then extracted herself. “Does that mean you trust him?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far, shug. While he’s attracted to you, possibly falling in love with you, he’s still a Morelly and blood ties run deep. But this isn’t Adam Morelly’s style. It’s small-minded. If he does something, it’s going to be a lot classier than vandalizing a woman’s room.”

  Sabina’s heart lunged against her chest at the thought of Adam Morelly being in love with her but she schooled her face to blankness, raised an eyebrow and drawled, “Well, I’ll feel much better when I’m lying dead on a cold hard slab knowing I’ve been killed with style and grace.”

  “Sugar, you’re a caution.” Bella burst out laughing.

  It was amazing that Bella could laugh considering someone had recently trashed her room. Sabina knew her friend well enough to know that even as she joked her shrewd brain was tabulating facts and determining the best way to deal with their enemy.

  Sabina looked around forcing her eyes from the small pieces of brightly colored silk strewn around the room. If Hank found out about this he’d make Victoria rue the day she’d messed with his wife. Sabina cleared her throat. “Do you think Johnny’s involved?” Another person Hank McHenry wasn’t particularly fond of.

  Bella bent down and picked a gossamer wheat-colored shirt off the floor. “I know Victoria is behind it. As far as Johnny Morelly, who knows?” She heaved a sigh. “So at this point, I say we pick Adam’s brain and give him no information. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

  “Adam Morelly is the one who will be sorry if he tries anything,” Sabina muttered, tension and resolve running in equal portions through her system.

  “Oh, sugar, I just love it when you go all determined and, dare I say, militant?” She shuddered dramatically. “I swear a shiver ran right down my spine.”

  The anger left Sabina like a balloon with the air seeping out. She looked at Bella. “Lucky for me I know there’s a method to your madness, because if I didn’t I’d think you were just plain irritating.”

  “No fooling you is there, shug?” Smoothing a wrinkle out of the sleeve, Bella hung up her blouse.

  Sabina scooped up the clothing on the floor and laid the pile on the bed. “I think I’m going back to my room. Come over whenever you’re ready.”

  “I’ll give Hank a call and be right there,” Bella said as she shook out a black silk sheath and placed it on a pink velvet hanger.

  “Are you going to tell him?” Sabina pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

  Bella winked. “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
/>   “He’s going to be awfully upset when he finds out,” Sabina warned.

  “Hank McHenry is a force to be reckoned with,” Bella agreed, then added, a twinkle in her eye, “Lucky for me, I know just how to handle him.”

  Sabina shook her head. “It’s always sad to see a big, handsome, independent man so totally whipped.” She ruined the effect by grinning.

  “See you in a few.” She started toward the door then stopped. “By the way, have you talked to Maureen? How’s Jack?”

  “Healing. Maureen’s fussing over him like a hen with one chick. She’s staying put to make sure he doesn’t overdo.”

  “Don’t tell her about this.”

  “I’ve no intention of it.” For one moment, Bella’s lips tightened and her vowels were as crisp as any Yankee’s. She took a deep breath. Her facial muscles relaxed. She picked a pink lace bra up off the floor.

  “Good.” Sabina stepped into the hall and let herself into her suite. Hands fisted on her hips, she stared at the mess then got to work. Her mind churned as she picked up and straightened up.

  A knock sounded at the door distracting her. Putting her eye to the tiny round security glass she looked at Bella’s distorted face. Her friend waved at her, doing a little rumba number in the hall.

  She opened the door and Bella slipped in wearing a huge grin, her face flushed. “How was Hank?” Sabina inquired.

  “I suggested phone sex but he wanted to wait for the real thing.”

  Sabina’s jaw dropped. She blinked then burst into peals of laughter. She held her aching sides. “I can’t believe I’m capable of laughing after what happened today.”

  “It’s the best medicine in the world, honey.” Bella walked into the bedroom and dropped her overnight bag on the spare bed. “By the way that nice state trooper called.”

  “And?” Sabina asked, trailing behind her.

  “They couldn’t tell if it’d been an accident or deliberate. The nut had worked loose from the brake line and the brake fluid had bled out. No one saw anyone hanging around the car.”

  “Did you mention someone pointed a rifle at us?”

  “Didn’t want to go there, sugar. It would raise too many questions.” Bella opened her overnight bag and tossed her jammies on the bed. “He made arrangements for someone to return my car tomorrow.”

  “Only you could get that kind of service. Does he know you’re in Charlotte?”

  “Well of course, sugar.” Bella patted her hair.

  Sabina grinned and shook her head. As she watched Bella unpack, an idea formed. “I think its time Ms. Victoria Price got a little payback don’t you?”

  Bella straightened and sidled up to her. “Do tell, honey. What do you have in mind?”

  Sabina tapped a coral-tipped nail against her cheek. “From now on we stay together. And when I’m not wearing the power amulet you will be. Right?”

  Bella nodded.

  “If she wants us, let’s give her every opportunity. The next time she tries we’ll be ready and squash her like a bug.” Sabina could feel the anger and heat flashing behind her eyes, belied by her cold words as she pushed her thumb into her palm and swiveled it.

  “Oh, sugar, I love it. So Machiavellian. I swear it chills my blood.” She looked at her friend admiringly. “And maybe I’ll make a call to Johnny. Do a little pumping.” Bella winked.

  “Since I know better, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that double entendre,” Sabina said, her voice dry.

  “Why darling whatever do you mean?” Bella opened her eyes wide, looking at her innocently.

  “Um-hmm,” Sabina responded, not deceived.

  “How much do we tell Adam?”

  Sabina straightened her shoulders, her lips thinned. “Not a damn thing.”

  Bella nodded. “He’s an intriguing man but as we have mentioned before he’s loyal to his uncle.” She picked up a pearl-drop earring lying on the floor. “I think he’d be loyal to anyone he loved. It could make for some interesting conflicts couldn’t it?” She handed the earring to Sabina.

  “I’m afraid I don’t know what you are talking about.” Heat crept into Sabina’s cheeks. She changed the subject. “So you are going to call Johnny?”

  “Yes, I’ll tell him how much I respect his nephew and appreciate Johnny sending him down to make sure the manager fixes the faulty wiring. I’ll throw in a little oohing and aahing.” She patted her hair.

  “Do you think he’ll fall for that dumb blonde routine?” Sabina looked skeptical.

  “People see what they want to see, honey. Johnny can’t see past a woman’s cup size. As far as he’s concerned when God made women, he left an empty cavity in their cranium.” She walked over and straightened a lighthouse picture that was hanging askew over the bed.

  “And this is Adam’s uncle?” Just what does Adam Morelly think of women?

  “Oh just because he considers them on the same level as a good racing horse or beloved dog doesn’t mean he’s cruel to them. He’s considerate in an offhand manner.”

  “That’s almost worse.” Sabina scrunched her face in disgust.

  “Well, hon, you just have to see the humor in it. Knowing my cat Puss-Puss is smarter than Johnny just gives me something to laugh about while Johnny is at his supercilious best.”

  “Did anyone ever tell you that you have a very odd sense of humor?”

  “Quite frequently, sugar. Now grab your ice bucket and we’ll trawl the hall and see if anyone saw anything.”

  “Good plan, Blondie.” Sabina gave Bella’s blonde curls a tweak as she walked by and grabbed the ice bucket.

  “I do miss Maureen.” Bella heaved a nostalgic sigh. “She always calls me Blondie plus other not so repeatable names.”

  Sabina turned, ice bucket in hand and studied her friend. “The link between the amulets is strong isn’t it?”

  Bella nodded. “Once the link in the sisterhood is forged it becomes unbreakable. Can you feel it? The bond between us grows daily. It has become as strong as a lover’s.”

  “What about the protectors of the knowledge and wealth amulets? Do you think we’ll ever meet them?” Sabina asked as she opened the door.

  “I’m sure of it. I’m just not sure when.”

  The door swung silently shut behind them as they stepped into the corridor.

  Bella pointed to the left. “The ice machine is just down the hall.” Their shoes sank into the rich silver-gray carpet as they walked down the corridor. They stopped in an alcove labeled in bright gold letters “Accruements for Our Guests”.

  Sabina thrust the ice bucket at Bella. “You fill the ice bucket and I’ll hang out in the hall.”

  “Yes, princess. Barely a star and already thinking you need a beck and call girl.”

  Sabina grinned then straightened. “Here comes a maid.”

  A young black-haired woman dressed in gray and wearing a white apron, her arms piled high with fluffy white towels, came hurrying down the hall. Sabina stepped in front of her forcing her to stop. “Excuse me.”

  “Yes, ma’am?” The maid’s chin rested on the towels. She tightened her grip around them.

  “I’m Sabina Comte in room five-thirty and this is my friend, Bella Tremaine-McHenry in room five thirty-two.” Bella stepped forward, holding the ice bucket at her side by the tips of her well lacquered fingernails.

  The maid nodded as best she could over the towels.

  “Did you see anyone loitering around our rooms tonight?” Sabina asked.

  “No, ma’am but I just came on duty. Let me drop these towels off and I’ll check with Marie and be right back.” She nodded and hurried down the hall.

  A well-dressed gentleman, with graying hair, nodded to them and stepped toward the ice machine, his bucket in hand.

  Ice rattled as he scooped cubes into the container. He put down the ice machine lid and straightened. Clasping the bucket in one hand, he stepped forward, holding out the other. “Ms. Comti, may I say you have the most beautiful voice it’s ever
been my privilege to hear. I was in the audience last night. Your songs brought tears to my eyes.” He pumped her hand up and down. “I’m sorry but I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation.”

  “Did you see something, Mr…” She leaned forward.

  “Hughes. Larry Hughes. As a matter of fact I did. A little old gray-haired lady went into both rooms. Very well dressed, loaded with baubles. Is there a problem?”

  “No. No problem. When was this?”

  “About forty-five minutes after the show.” He looked shamefaced. “Me and the wife had heard you were staying in the suite on our floor and were lingering in the hall hoping to get an autograph.”

  Sabina smiled. “I’ll be sure and get you and your wife an autograph. What is her name, Mr. Hughes?”

  “Wilma.”

  “I’ll remember.”

  “Thank you,” he said with a pleased expression.

  She and Bella said their goodbyes and walked toward their room.

  “Victoria,” Bella said.

  “Yes, unless Adam put someone up to it while we were dining with him.”

  “We can’t rule anything out. Getting Victoria might be a bit of a problem if Adam stays as close by you as he’s threatening to.”

  “You leave Adam Morelly to me, maybe it’s time to go on the offensive on that front too.”

  Bella sidled next to her and gushed, “Oh, sugar, are you planning on bringing him to his knees with wild mindless sex?”

  An image of Adam on his knees before her wearing nothing but his diamond pinkie ring flashed into her mind.

  She looked at Bella and smiled, her lids heavy, her face hot.

  “Oh, sugar, how exciting for you. Just don’t forget the children’s tale about the lady from Niger and the tiger,” Bella cautioned.

  Sabina blinked, confused.

  Bella sighed. “Never mind, I believe it’s too late for warnings in that direction anyway. It was from the first moment you clapped eyes on each other. Just be careful.”

  * * * * *

  Victoria sipped a beer in the quiet of her room. While the bitches had been dining with Adam Morelly, she’d trashed their rooms sending them a message. She could get to them anytime, anywhere.