Page 42 of Tangled Roses
She smiles expectantly as she sits before me and I waste no time in getting to the point.
“I attended one of your organized parties the other evening and wanted to run a few things past you.”
“I heard.”
Her eyes flash. “It appears that you canceled the escort I booked for you, preferring to arrange your own.”
I’m surprised word never reached her about her daughter’s attendance and wonder why the club members kept it from her after my request.
“That is true. It worked for my father, so you could say I’m carrying on the tradition.”
She leans forward.
“His date was in my employment, Mr. Romanov. I must stress that Burning Roses provides screened escorts for a reason, to protect our members. Please don’t take matters into your own hands again.”
Her words are delivered with a smile and I shrug. “We both know Veronica Scott-Stanley was more than just a paid escort. Please don’t insult my intelligence.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” She fires back with a shrewd smile. “She also happened to be employed by me, so she ticked all the boxes. Now, if you have a particular companion in mind, I can take them on under exclusive contract to you, but unlike your father and Veronica, it is in everyone’s best interests if she is free to mingle as required.”
“Of course.”
I lean forward. “My escort for the evening was Gabrielle Adams. Would you like me to arrange a meeting for you so you can add her to your books?”
“Is this a joke?” She gasps, the shock on her face is interesting and I say coolly.
“I never joke, Marsha. So, will you sign her up under the non-exclusive contract you require?”
“You are a wicked man, Mr. Romanov.”
I’m shocked when tears fill her eyes and she whispers, “If you are trying to hurt me, then shame on you. Gabrielle Adams – is – was, my daughter, and she died three months ago.”
For a second, I have no words and as I glance at Ellie, she appears to be in shock. Her expression is one of devastation and Marsha sobs, “It was a car wreck. She never stood a chance, and the car exploded on impact.”
Gabrielle is staring at her in horror and I say gently, “How did you find out?”
She sniffs. “A cop came to my house. He told me she was traveling with my mother and they crashed into a fuel truck. They identified their bodies from their dental records.”
I’m speechless and Ellie is somewhere else entirely. She is struggling to take it in and I cough. “Um, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“I never even got to say goodbye.” Marsha sniffs.
She appears to recover very quickly and says in a brighter tone.
“So, Mr. Romanov, Arman. The woman who accompanied you must have been another one named Gabrielle Adams. It’s a common name, and I’m guessing it was a coincidence. The members were quite taken with her, so I would be happy to sign her to Burning Roses.”
I don’t know what to say because I’ve reached a dead end. There is nowhere left to go, and then Ellie shifts from her seat and walks beside me. She stares at Marsha closer and says defiantly, “I am Gabrielle Adams and my grandmother died of cancer. She also happened to be your mother and you never even attended her funeral.”
I study Marsha for her reaction as Gabrielle throws a grenade into the room and the shock on her face mixes with fear and for the first time since meeting this woman, I watch her break.
CHAPTER 25
ELLIE
When she spoke, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and I was angry. Is she lying, or is she hiding something?
Arman told me not to speak, well to hell with that. I want answers and she is not leaving until I get them.
“Gabrielle.”