Page 69 of Burn for the Devil

My mother smiled lovingly at my dad, but his head was buried in his phone. “I just want what's best for you, Samantha.”

“I know mom, I appreciate you. Please do me a favor and stop trying to set me up, though. Please.” I paused for several seconds. “On second thought, don’t set anyone up with Senator White. Trust me on this. And I’m much too old for your interference in my love life.” There’d been too many evenings where me or someone else found his wandering hand traveling up their thigh under a table. It was disgusting.

“You seem pretty serious about this,” my mom remarked.

“That’s because I am. Just trust me on this. All of this.” I was expecting more of a backlash, but it never came.

The car pulled up to the estate where the benefit dinner was taking place. I wasn’t even sure what the dinner was supposed to benefit, never having looked over the details my mother sent me, but there were a lot of cars. It must be an important one. Most of the faces I saw getting out of cars and entering the large estate were familiar, people I’d mingled with or knew personally. I followed my mom and dad inside.

The building felt more like a castle indoors, than a mansion, with the soft cream and beige colors and curved molding. Elaborate lighting hung overhead, full of crystals and gleaming gold. Priceless artwork lined the walls, likely worth millions. There was no sign of who the dinner was meant to aid, but I

wasn’t surprised. We wouldn’t want to mess up the decor with gaudy pamphlets and posters, would we? My snarky attitude would get the better of me if I wasn’t careful, but it sure did feel good.

My parents were separated from me by some friends of theirs and I wandered farther into the building, crossing the foyer. When I spotted Caroline and Helen, I headed toward them.

“Hi,” Caroline greeted me.

“Hey,” I replied, smiling at her and then Helen.

“Did you hear about Julia?” Helen leaned in.

She had my attention; I remembered Julia’s tryst with the handsome stranger. “No, what happened? Is she all right?”

Helen nodded. “She is but Clint caught her with that man with the scar, Ilya. He’s here somewhere.”

I winced. “Oh no. What happened? Did they break up?”

“No but I guess Clint came home early and found them in bed. Ilya messed him up pretty badly, but nothing happened. Some hot shot lawyer got him off. They’re still getting married.” Helen laughed.

“You look stunned,” Helen said to me.

Grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing tray, I said, “Well, whatever works for them.” It was a lot to take in, but I really wasn’t that surprised. The newcomers in town appeared to not have to face any consequences, between Ramone's murderous proclivities and his friend’s back-alley ways.

After John’s and Timothy’s unfortunate fates, I didn’t have to ask Ramone if he was responsible for the waiter’s death outside the restaurant that my mother and I had stumbled upon that day. It was a foregone conclusion.

“So true. I wouldn’t kick him out of my bed,” Caroline said before turning to me. “Where’s Ramone? Anything come of that?”

“We’ll see,” I answered noncommittally. “What have you two been doing lately?” I wasn’t going to give them anything to gossip over.

Helen leaned forward. “Is that a bite mark?” She pointed at my chest and Caroline leaned in, her eyes almost bugging out of her head.

“Maybe?” I smirked.

“Oh my god,” Helen hissed. “It is. Why didn’t you cover that up?” Her expression was both disapproving and envious.

Taking a sip of my beverage, I said, “I just didn’t get around to it.”

Caroline narrowed her eyes at me. “Hm.”

“Are you into that BDSM stuff?” Helen asked, tilting her head.

“What? No, why would you ask that question?” Now, everyone was going to think I was into it. Maybe I should’ve covered it up, but it was too late now.

Caroline shrugged her shoulders. “I just want to know who you’re seeing.”

I tossed back the rest of my champagne. “I’m going to go mingle.” Caroline and Helen exchanged glances as I made my exit.

Passing through the hall, I made my way to a much larger room where tables were spread out with elaborate settings. Floral arrangements, greenery, and candles of varying sizes decorated the tables in a gorgeous display. Twinkle lights were wound through the greenery and small linen bags full of swag were set at each place setting.