Vulgarian Vamp (A Wendy Darlin Comedy Mystery Book 5) (20 page)

“Marni, come here. I want to chat with you in private.”

She unscrewed her arm from Hook’s and sauntered toward me, her nose in the air and a defiant look in her dark eyes.

“Marni, you just met this guy. Why don’t you take a day to think this over? He’ll still be here. Let’s call your mom and ask her advice.” I was concerned. If she were my kid sister I’d lock her up in a convent.

“My mother chose to move into a retirement village in a third world country. On what planet is her advice useful?”

“If this is about his money, you’re making a big mistake. You have nothing in common with Hook. He could take you out in the middle of the ocean and dump you overboard.”

“I know what I’m doing. I really like Hook… and his money. So butt out.”

“You’re coming across as a gold-digger.”

“What’s your point?”

I was stunned. Kit and I returned to Miami without her. She was a grown woman, but I felt responsible for her. Contacting her mom was out of the question. I was Marni’s boss, not her nanny.

My former sales agent called the following month to flaunt her acquisitions. Hook was making a show of indulging her in an orgy of spending. They had acquired enough possessions to host their own reality television show, including a mansion in the Hamptons… not Miami.

“Hookie bought me a black Ferrari. It’s so cute,” she said.

I wished her well and hung up.

The following month I got a call. “We’re getting married!” Marni trilled.

I had to hold the phone away from my ear.

“Please come for the ceremony. Say you will.”

I was Dr. Frankenstein and my creation was calling.