“You think so?” Melina asked.
She admired herself in the mirror. Though she had a special love for bodycon dresses, there was nothing wrong with trying something a little different every now and then. Mac had chosen for her a dark purple cocktail dress. Two straps crossed her right shoulder and there was a strategic cut out just above her cleavage. The soft silk of the material clung to her body and ended just below her knees. She looked the part of hostess at an exclusive event, especially with her hair styled in an elegant updo.
“I know so. Go on. Admit you like it.”
“Of course I like it. Thank you for the dress.”
“My pleasure. Now why don’t you slip on those Prada spiked heels I like so much and we can get out of here,” Mac said.
Melina faced her husband and smiled, “You and those heels.”
Mac shrugged as she went into the closet. “What can I say? Spikes turn me on.”
“Is there anything that doesn’t turn you on?” Melina asked.
She sat down on the bed and strapped on her spiked heels.
“That was a low blow, doll. I’m a peculiar sort of man.”
Heels on, Melina stood and touched the cross that hung around her neck. Since Mac had given it to her on that fateful night, she’d done her best to never take it off. The simple cross was a subtle reminder that strength sometimes came from unexpected places.
“Yes, you are and I’ll always love you for that.”
Mac brushed his fingers over the cross. “You nervous?”
“Just a little bit,” Melina confessed.
“No worries. Tonight is going to be a success. We have nothing to worry about.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Of course I am. Now let’s go, Cinderella. Your chariot awaits.”
Melina couldn’t contain her laughter as Mac took her hand and lead her from the room. Cinderella indeed.
“You mean my carriage awaits?”
“Yeah.”
Melina smiled. Her husband was something else. With Mac, the surprises never stopped coming.
The Dollhouse was filled with people. Melina could only help but wonder how word had gotten out to so many people about the grand opening. It wasn’t exactly like she’d been able to advertise the grand opening through some of the normal channels for a business opening. Especially a business like The Dollhouse. But somehow or another, it seemed that the night was off to a roaring success.
Unsurprisingly, the number of men far outnumbered the woman in attendance. After all, sex was something that would always sell, whether it was explicitly advertised or not. Standing near one of the large bars, Melina surveyed the crowd again. She’d noticed more than one of her girls discretely slip away with a well-clothed gentlemen. Tossing them a subtle nod as they’d disappeared, Melina was mentally counting the money that would be made this evening, not only from the bar but with the girls as well.
“Champagne?” a passing waiter asked.
“Absolutely.”
Melina took a glass from the tray and took two long sips of the cold bubbly, liquid.
“Melina, there you are, dear.”
She turned when she heard her name called. Melina nearly choked on her champagne.
“Neeya?”
The tall, elegant woman wrapped Melina in a warm hug. “Why the surprise?”
“This is not the sort of place I would expect a Don’s wife to be.”
Neeya laughed. “This is a completely different establishment than it was before. You’ve done wonders here. Why wouldn’t I be here to support you?”
“Again. You know what kind of place this is,” Melina reiterated.
“Nonsense. I couldn’t be prouder. I knew from the first time we met you would turn things on their heads and you have done exactly that.”
“I just hope I haven’t pushed things too much with this place.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m supposed to be the quiet little wife, not running a business. I don’t want this to reflect negatively on my husband.”
“There will always be those who have something to say, but they don’t matter. If anything, you are proving to everyone that you are your husband’s equal in every way.”
Melina fingered her necklace absentmindedly. “That’s all I want to be. An enhancement to Mac, not a detriment.”
Neeya grabbed her shoulders. “You are. Now enough of this self-doubt. Let’s toast to a profitable new venture.”
“I’ll second that notion.”
Luca Pivetti eased next to his wife while motioning for a waiter.
“Thank you,” Melina said. “This is unexpected.”
“It shouldn’t be. This place was bleeding money and now it will be raking it in. A smart man can appreciate business savvy, no matter who it comes from.”
“You couldn’t be more right, boss.”
Mac appeared, sliding an arm around Melina’s waist as the waiter came over with drinks. He, Luca and Neeya each took a new flute of champagne. Melina drained the rest of her glass and took a new flute as well.
“A toast to my beautiful, hardworking, ambitious wife and a stellar opening night.”
Mac raised his glass.