Page 79 (1/2)

Miss Atwater

During the fifteen ht direction, and walk to the warehouse, I prayed I wasn’t too late

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Remi waited until darkness shrouded the Italian countryside before changing in the backseat of the car She stepped out, sing sweetheart neckline eant yet simple

Saht You look a”

“Right down to th and ith heels She lifted the he boots

“Like I said, no one will be looking at your feet Walk in like you own the place”

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p; “Wish me luck” She leaned over, kissed hi before sheto shuttle the guests froht No one noticed her feet Even so, she was careful to keep her boots tucked beneath her gown on the ride over The shuttle stopped at a wide path paved with terra-cotta tiles, potted cypresses spaced evenly on either side It led to the first flight of stairs cut into the hillside, and a landing where stone benches lined the travertine balustrade, perhaps to give the guests a place to rest before they tackled the longer second flight up to the uests entry

Remi walked up the path and stood at the botto, dis of the first flight, s her way into the party was one thing Getting past hiether

“You look lost”

She turned to see awhere no one had been a uard, since he was clearly dressed for the party, the cut of his jacket i h his brown hair was peppered with gray He regarded her with awhat she felt at the moment

Her instincts told her that being an Aht make her far too noticeable “Parla italiano?”

“Sorry, no English only”

She looked up the stairs, saw Luca looking at her Not sure if he’d sound the alarm or demand his fee, she stepped into the shadows of one of the cypresses