She turns self-consciously. “You don’t like it?”

“This is how a woman with your figure should dress. Now the shoes.”

January returns to the bed, and I pass her the second largest bag. She pulls out the black and white striped box and her eyes widen. “Aquazzura?”

“Surely, you’ve had them before?”

“No. I wasn’t allowed to wear high heels because…” She goes bright red, and I understand. She’s tall for a woman. In heels, she’d tower over Parker.

“You don’t have to worry about that anymore, bella.”

“I know. I mean, thank you.”

She opens the box, unveiling the sparkling rose-gold heels. “They’re beautiful.”

I watch as she slides the shoes onto her toes. I don’t usually care for feet but hers are gorgeous, small and white with tiny pink nails.

I hold out the small bag from Bergdorf’s. “Makeup. I’ll leave you to apply it, but I’d like you to wear red lipstick.”

“You picked out makeup for me?”

“I described your coloring to an assistant. I want you to be subtle. Do not overpower your face.”

“Yes, Mr. Morelli.”

I like the way she talks, husky and sweet, just the way a woman should be. “There’s one thing left,” I tell her.

Her green eyes shine up at me. “Yes, Mr. Morelli?”

I pull the ruby necklace from my pocket, the stones glittering in the bedroom light.

She pulls away from me.

“You don’t need to panic. No promises will be made because you wear this necklace. I just want to see it against your skin.”

She shifts back even further onto the bed. “I don’t think… I just…”

My good mood vanishes. For all her beauty and gratitude, she’s acting like a child. I shove the necklace into my pocket. “Fine. Put on your makeup and come downstairs.”

Her face falls. “Mr. Morelli…?”

“Do not keep me waiting.”

I find my men sitting around the freshly cleaned dining table, all of them well-groomed and drinking wine. This is how Velvet House should be.

I sit at the head of the table and raise the glass of Montalcino that’s been poured for me. “Salut.”

“I was just saying Parker’s acting strangely,” Bobby tells me. “Sealing himself in his office with his counter chief.”

“You were expecting him to do something else?” I ask.

“I was expecting threats. Him biding his time worries me.”

Doc throws a chunk of bread into his mouth. “Let him sit around and sulk. Gives us more time to look into this Orchard bullshit. I’ve tracked down an ex-girlfriend of his in Monaco. I’m trying to reach out and ask if she was ever overwhelmingly horny in Parker’s presence.”

“Good idea,” I say. “If we get confirmation we can—”

Everyone turns to the doorway. Bobby goes red. Doc’s jaw hangs. Even Adriano stares. It’s January Whitehall, in record time and she looks fucking delicious. I stand and the other three follow.

She raises her hands then lets them flutter back down to her sides. “Hi everyone…”