Chapter 43

Nina’s POV

The quiet but distinct click of heels on the marble floor drew all eyes toward her—the woman approaching us with a calm, almost regal gait. The poised elegance with which she moved was undeniable, but her eyes—oh, her eyes—flashed with an intensity I couldn’t mistake. She was angry. Not at anyone else here, not at Tony, not even at Mark. No, that laser-like focus was trained directly on me, as though I were some intruder in her perfect little world.

“Mark,” she greeted him with a smile, but there was no warmth in it. “Good to see you. But how could you mistreat my brother...for an outsider?” Her voice had the syrupy sweetness of someone playing nice, but her expression was anything but kind.

Mark’s face tightened, a look I had come to recognize—one that said he was barely tolerating her presence. His patience, his politeness, his very composure seemed to be on the brink. And though he didn’t respond, I could tell he was struggling not to let his f