Free Twisted Lies 2 by Sedona Venez Page B

on my I-don’t-give-a-shit face as I stepped out of the SUV. I
wasn’t as comfortable as Jade standing in front of hundreds of
photographers, so I had to go somewhere else in my mind and pretend
I was a confident person in front of a horde of people.
    When my feet hit the carpet, the lights
exploded everywhere. I lifted my gown train and tried to walk
around Jade.
    The paparazzi screamed questions, coming at
me from all directions.
    “Sinthia Michaels! Can you pose for a
photo?”
    “Are you wearing a gown from your upcoming
collection?”
    “Can you comment on the rumors that you and
Core McKay are now business partners?”
    I uncomfortably looked at Jade before trying
to hurry up the stairs.
    “Go, go, go!” the paparazzi said, actually
moving to chase me.
    Jade wrapped an arm around my waist and
whispered, “Relax.”
    “This is new. I didn’t realize I was a
celebrity,” I muttered.
    I plastered a frozen smile on my face as we
posed for photos.
    “Enjoy it, sweetheart. You deserve it.” She
stepped aside, allowing me to have additional photos taken by
myself.
    The flashing lights started to freak me out.
I sighed gratefully when Jade looped an arm through mine, leading
me away from the cameras.
    We ascended the red-carpeted staircase lined
with camera crews, photographers, reporters, and other gawkers.
Tonight’s gala was a tribute to all the rich elite and A-listers
congregated at the venue.
    I surveyed the scene upon entering the
mansion. A giant chandelier made from hundreds of red and white
roses conspicuously hung above the information desk. The desk was
completely covered with red roses rising five feet high.
    Jade and I handed over our invitations for
inspection, and then we waited patiently while a white-gloved
security staffer politely scanned our bodies with a handheld metal
detector.
    Walking farther into the mansion, we
strolled up the main staircase covered by walls of pristine white
roses. At the top of the staircase, Cate and Bigsby regally stood
as if they were a royal couple and greeted arriving guests.
Millions of dollars were at stake tonight, money that could be
added to Bigsby’s political war chest by wealthy patrons. Cate had
corralled and badgered to death donors. No one said no to her
unless they wanted to feel her wrath. She was a ruthless, conniving
bitch who would think nothing about taking down the most powerful
people unless they played nice. All those traits made her an
excellent match for Bigsby.
    Bigsby adjusted his bow tie, looking ultra
sharp in his black tuxedo with a white silk cummerbund. He advanced
forward, offering his hand to me. “Sinthia, it’s great to see
you.”
    I shook his hand. Bigsby lingered a second
or so long on the handshake. I quickly pulled my hand away, barely
suppressing the urge to wipe my palm on my gown to remove any trace
of his touch.
    Cate swayed frontward. Her mask of
neutrality slipped as she eyed the deep-V neckline plunging down to
my belly button. Her lips pressed into a thin line. Then she said,
“Thank you for coming, Sinthia.”
    My irritation swelled. Cate was an uptight,
judgmental witch. I was comfortable with who I was. It had taken me
too many years to get comfortable in my skin.
    My gaze swept over her gown. It wasn’t my
design, but I could admit Cate oozed glamour from her elegant updo
to her couture white-and-black ball gown and the pair of white
gloves she’d donned.
    “I was dragged here,” I responded stiffly,
nodding over at Jade, “by your arm-twisting niece.”
    Cate inclined her head with her eyes locked
on Jade. “You’re late,” she snapped.
    Jade’s lips pursed. “I’m not in the mood to
argue tonight. Just be happy I came to this circus.”
    They tensely faced off.
    Cate’s eyes narrowed, disapproval turning
down the corners of her mouth. She bit out, “Jade, a minute in
private.” She smiled warmly at Bigsby. “Darling, I’ll just be right
back.” She turned on her heel, walking toward the corner