Free The Devil's Game by Alex Strong Page A

she said, sad to have to say to goodbye. “Good luck.”
    “And Karina?”
    “Yes?”
    “I’m sorry,” he said. “The last thing I wanted to do was take off like this.”
    “It’s fine,” she told him. “Go get some sleep. I’ll talk to you soon.”
    She hung up the phone. So tomorrow was planned for her, but that still left today to wallow in her boredom. Deciding she’d had enough of the sun, she ventured indoors to see what movies Damien kept stocked in that fancy entertainment room of his.
     
    When Karina walked into the boutique the next day, she was painfully aware of how much she didn’t belong here. Since she would just be trying on dresses, she had opted for jeans and a tank top—a decision she regretted as the three impeccably dressed women behind the counter glanced in her direction with a look of disapproval. Karina walked toward them, and the tallest of the three finally approached her.
    “I’m sorry miss, but we’re by appointment only,” she said with a fake, condescending smile. Maybe Karina didn’t really need to go to this affair after all.
    “I have an appointment. I’m Karina Watson.”
    The woman raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing her.
    “Damien Bishop arranged it,” Karina told her.
    Everyone’s demeanor changed at the mention of his name, and Karina hated these women even more for it.
    “Oh yes,” said one of the ladies, a blonde. “We’ve been expecting you!”
    The third girl ran off to the back room.
    “I’m Yvette,” said the blonde. “Right this way and we can get started.”
    Yvette led her to a chair with a side table, and the third girl came out of the back room carrying a tray with champagne in an ice bucket and a single flute glass. Karina was grateful as the woman poured it, because she had a feeling she was going to need alcohol to survive these vultures.
    As Karina took her first sip, Yvette pulled out a rack already containing some dresses.
    “Mr. Bishop told us a little about the event and your size, so we went ahead and pulled a few items to get started. But let us know if you’re looking for something different.”
    Karina stood, still holding the glass, and looked over the selection. They were all gorgeous. But it didn’t take long to find her favorite—a strapless satin-twill gown in midnight black with an off-center slit on the front.
    “Can I try this one on?” she asked.
    “Of course.”
    Yvette grabbed the dress and showed Karina to a dressing room. The second she stepped into it, she knew this was the one. It was less embellished, less flashy than the others, but sometimes less was more. The slit came half way up her thigh, and the back flared a bit just below her backside. A mermaid skirt, Yvette called it.
    She walked out and stood on a little platform in front of several mirrors.
    “Wow,” said the brunette who had brought out the champagne. “That dress is perfect.”
    Karina did a little turn—being careful not to fall and embarrass herself—so she could see the whole dress. It was perfect. She was almost sad that Damien wasn’t here to see it, then decided she’d rather spring this on him later. At home.
    “I don’t even think you’ll need any alterations. You are planning to wear heels, aren’t you?”
    Karina nodded. She was now, apparently.
    Just then, a chime went off, signaling that another customer had walked in.
    “Yoo hoo, anyone here?” called a voice that made Karina’s skin crawl. Tabitha .
    She walked back to where Karina and the women were, looking much more put together than Karina had when she walked in.
    “Oh, Miss Rose!” Yvette exclaimed, jumping to attention. “We weren’t expecting you today.”
    Tabitha removed her oversized sunglasses. “I was in the area,” she said. “I thought I would check in on my dress. Oh, hello.” She had finally noticed Karina “Haven’t I seen you before?”
    Karina stepped down from the platform. “The engagement party,” she mumbled.
    “That’s right.