The Queen in the Kingdom

TER

ame through the grand doors. His po

entrance, she felt rather than saw him cross the threshold

ods, pleas

aces quietly, blending in with her serving staff. Mario's personal cad

n bowing and women fluttering as they greeted the man who

d sent telling him she was leaving him as she fled his Estate. Of course she'd k

knowing he could come for her at any moment. H

n't want to play. She was tired of games. Done with th

uples in tuxes and ballgowns who would pay homage to the King of the Netherworld, men

. It was inevitable. She'd tried to brace herself for this moment.

ught she'

n wrong. S

yes swept over the crowded room. He was still su

forget. He wa

more gorgeous than ever and even a ballroom away, she could feel

had to get ou

ed on all sides by beautiful, glittering people who were all but caging her in betwee

their house for the extravaganza. The party was totally lush. He'd told Nikki to spare no expe

partiers to get there...but it would leave her exposed. Mario might be able to approach her before sh

who'd been talking to her. "I'm sorry," she inter

to Tasha, her assistant, about an hour ago and had been

as bald and cut an unusual figure in the party. He reminded he

is height. "I've been babbling far too long. I was excited to meet the woman

he look as harried as she felt? Her hair was a shade lighter than it had been two months ago, worked into an intricate braid

her ears. She was wearing the diamond earrings Mario had given her. The studs hadn't seen the lig

uld see her wearing his gift. Sighing, she pressed her hand to

alright?" the gue

e crowd recognized. A flock of the younger crowd rushed past, knocking

d up into the guest's concerned ey

ly with his dancing black eyes and swarthy skin. "So glad you could come to our party." The boyis

mbled. "It's been awhile since

squeezed her. "Have you heard of her new event planning company? She just

led her up weeks ago and strong-armed her into starting the business, helping he

ral event," Armris was

s eyes crinkling as he looked

orced a smile. She was

y trying to get by the best they could. So she did, too. And she stayed busy. That was key.

moment. But she'd called around to every fish market in the area and gotten them enough fresh salmon to make their piccata bites

ar her thoughts. "I should pr

ad. "Nikki, darling, the buffet is fine. Quit acti

s of peacock feathers sashayed by and offered her tray out to them

him; if Mario didn't know she was here before he certainly did now. She was abou

what are we

s greeted her. "We

p had turned out to be a lifesaver. Especially now since they were roommates after Nikki had moved