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.She once was married to the financier Charles Stout, now deceased, and thirty-five years her senior.Before they married, they were involved in a scandal.Epifania ran the Stout household for Binkie, Charles’ first wife and the mother of his estranged children.She fell into an affair with Charles one evening when he asked Epifania to bring him two scoops of ice cream in the library.Binkie caught them doing it doggy-style on the priceless Aubusson rug she inherited from her great-grandfather, which was ruined by smeared ice cream and bodily fluids.She filed for divorce and took Charles for over $250 million.”“Did he leave Epifania anything?”“To say the least.They married right after his divorce, and she stayed with him until his death.Rumor has it she walked away with at least $500 million.Maybe more if you consider Stout’s property holdings.She’s one of the wealthiest people here tonight—and one of the craziest.You’ll see.In these circles, Epifania isn’t just the slut who broke up the Stout household.In a cheap way, she also can be the unexpected life of the party, especially if she’s given the right platform and enough tequila laid bare on an empty stomach.Once, I saw her manage to shimmy around Stout to Felicia Sander’s cabaret version of ‘Fly Me to the Moon.’”“How is that even possible?”“With Epifania, anything is possible.”“She’s coming this way.”“So, she is.And she looks as lost as ever.As beautiful and chic as she is, she always seems out of place in this crowd because she is, in fact, out of place.While society can’t fully shun Charles Stout’s widow because of the sheer amount of money she has, they absolutely can be cool toward her.She’s a woman with no education and who was little more than a common maid, in their eyes, when the truth about her affair with Stout was made public.She’s Mexican and her English isn’t so great, so you’ll need to listen closely to her.”“Papi!” Epifania said as she walked toward us.She extended her arms toward him as she cut through the crowd.She was stunning in her black, form-fitting gown and long, flat-ironed black hair.“I didn’ know you come tonight.What surprise.It been too long.Give Epifania a kiss.That’s right.We’re all better, no?”“We’re fine, Epifania.”“Good, because I can tell you this.You never know which way fart is gonna blow when Epifania is in the room.” She looked at me.“Who is this? Why she look so familiar?”“This is Lisa Ward,” Marco said.“My new author.We’re here tonight because Julian has expressed interest in her new book.He might turn it into a movie.”“Whatcha book called?”“‘I, Zombie.’”“¡Ay, caramba! Epifania no like the zombie.They freak her out.How you even sleep at night?”“Let’s just say that I have a very tall, very well-built boyfriend who makes me feel safe at night.”She cocked her head at Boss.“So, you two a team? You making the sexy times with him?” She winked at me.“Big package on that one, no?”I flushed.“No, no,” I said.“Marco and I aren’t seeing each other.I’m seeing Tank.”She looked down at Marco’s crotch.“Is that what you call that python in his pants? Tank? I see why, cookie.That boy huuuuuge.Epifania date him once.But it’s all good.We friends now.No worries.We move on.”“I think there’s been some confusion,” I said, determined to set her straight.“My boyfriend’s name is Tank.Actually, that’s his nickname.His real name is Mitch.I’m not dating Marco.I’m dating Mitch.”“Oh,” she said, almost with a sense of disappointment.“Well, you should date this one, too.He good in bed.” She looked over at him.“You used to fuck Epifania till she saw two moons, new universes, and exploding stars.”“Epifania,” Marco said.“Well, it true.”“We should probably get a drink,” he said.“Now Epifania get the brush off.She always get the brush off.”“We just want to get a drink before we meet with Julian.It was great seeing you.” He leaned forward and kissed her on each cheek.“Seriously.”“Fine.But you two should be couple.Think about it.You look good together.Epifania can feel the heat.” She held up her hands when Marco cleared his throat.“I know, I know—Epifania have no filter.Whatever.She say what she means.”And with that, she slipped back into the crowd.I looked at Marco with a sense of exposure and embarrassment—after that, I knew way too much about my editor.“Well, that was uncomfortable,” I said.“You think?”“Sounds like she’s missing something.”“Like a screw?”“I wonder how you mean that…”He looked down at me.“Seriously?”“I don’t know.Somewhere within her, it’s clear that there’s a deep ache for something she doesn’t have in her life.There was a whole lot of missing going on there.”“Hilarious.”“Martini?” I asked.“Yes,” he said.“And fast.”CHAPTER FIFTEENWhen we arrived at the bar, Marco was so tall that he towered over the rest of the crowd and caught a bartender’s eye almost at once.He looked at me.“Gin or vodka?”“Vodka, but with a twist.”He ordered the drinks, they came, and Marco pretty much downed his.“That was quick.”“Would you like another?”“I’ve barely tasted mine.”“I’m having another.”“So have another.”He did.When he turned around with it, he said, “Sorry about that.I told you she was crazy.”“She’s crazy about something.But none of that’s my business.We should seek out Julian.I believe we’re here to meet him, aren’t we?”“In time.”“Why wait? You don’t want another former girlfriend to accost you, do you? Why not cut your losses while you can?”“I seriously doubt that there’s anyone else here whom I’ve dated.”“Just dated?”“You can stop having your fun any time now.”“Hmmmm,” I said, sipping my martini.“The night’s so young, and already so memorable.”He looked at me, and in his eyes I saw a challenge I met with my own.He might have had the upper hand when it came to my book because he was my acquiring editor, but he didn’t intimidate me—not after what just happened.Marco Boss was a confirmed playboy, and that was something I just couldn’t take seriously.But I’d taunted him enough.I looked away from him and said, “Quite a crowd.You’d think we were at the Academy Awards.” My tongue knew no bounds, and it couldn’t be stopped.“Or Hooters.”“Is this going to go on all night?”I put my hand on his arm.“I’ll let it go.Lighten up.We’re just having fun.”“One of us is.”“Look, you’re an adult.I really could care less about your affairs.”“Not by the sounds of it.”“If you’ve read my book, then you’re well aware of my wit.If it makes you feel any better, she’s the one who came off as a fool.You were polite, and you handled her well.We got away as quickly as we could
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Tematy
IndexChristine Amsden [Cassie Scot Cassie Scot ParaNormal Detecti
Christie Craig [Divorced, Des Divorced, Desperate
Moore Christopher Ssij, mała, ssij (II)
Stasheff, Christopher Wizard in Rhyme 6 Haunted Wizard
Christine Feehan Mroczna Seri Mroczny Demon
Cidney Swanson [Saving Mars Saving Mars (epub)
Stasheff, Christopher Rogue Wizard 04 A Wizard in Peace
Feehan Christine Mroczna Seria 01 Mroczny Ksišże
Stasheff, Christopher Warlock 01 The Warlock in Spite of Himself
Christine Feehan Mroczna Seria 13 Mroczne Przeznaczenie