Read Online Ganache with Panache: Book 2 in The Chocolate Cafe Series by Valley Sams - Free Book Online Page A

clapped her dry hands together with enthusiasm.
    “Do you see,” she said dryly, turning her attentions to a thoroughly unimpressed Mac, “ This is what happens when you go after what you want.”
    Mac had had enough. How long had she been in this madhouse? Five minutes? Perhaps she was about to set a new record for losing her temper, but today had been trying enough.
    “You mean this is what happens when you threaten people to get what you want.”
    The entire room seemed to frost over. From the corner of her eye, she saw Kyra practically leap out of her seat. Her hands, still shaking from before, seemed to take on a life of their own.
    “What do you mean?” Olivia demanded, drawing her shoulders back in an attempt to look even more intimidating.
    “Did you call Vanessa Wells after you dumped me this morning?”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    Mac, enraged now, stalked forward and positioned herself inches from Olivia Hood’s heavily made-up face.
    “No, pardon me . Did you call Vanessa this morning and tell her to stop designing for Amelia Moore? Did you threaten her?” Mac watched as a million tiny mysteries flitted across Olivia’s eyes. She was pleased to see the first hint of nervousness.
    “Of course not, I only…”
    There was a pause.
    “You what?” Still inches away from her face, Mac pinned her with her flat stare. “You only threatened me ? Was that your quota for the day.”
    “Why do you think we picked you up?” It was Harper’s turn to speak, but unlike her mother, there was no emotion to make her voice waver or her eyes flicker with secrets. “If we had her number we would’ve called her a long time ago. You think we actually WANTED your sweat all over our upholstery?”
    Mac could think of nothing to say. She opened her mouth briefly but nothing came out. Why would they bother to drive her out to the middle of nowhere and threaten her if they could’ve done it directly?
    “Oh gracious, is this over?” John moaned from the couch. He was massaging his temples, his face contorted. Bored, Mac realized, he’s more bored than bereft. “Is Perry Mason going to leave so we can finish this?”
    Olivia turned to Mac again, an unholy pride making her slash of a mouth turn up into the same witchy smile that Mac had seen in the Range Rover earlier.
    “Why bother with some no-talent unknown when you can get the best?” She extended her hand to Kyra who stood and walked toward her as if she were hypnotized. “Harper and I decided not to bother with your crowd and went with Ms. Lau. She’s just as talented as her brother, obviously …” She motioned to her daughter’s obscenity of a gown. Mac had seen adult film stars look more elegant. She couldn’t help herself, and before she could stop it, a snicker emerged loud enough to echo throughout the entire vaulted room.
    “You think it’s funny?” Kyra spoke, her voice rattling in her chest. “This is exactly what Harper wants and unlike my brother,” she motioned toward Mac but John extended his arm to hold her back. They locked eyes and Kyra seemed to calm almost instantly. “Unlike my brother, I’m willing to give the customers what they want.”
    “There’s nothing like the integrity of a true artist.” Mac agreed. Kyra made a sudden, twitching lunge in Mac’s direction. Thankfully, Zach’s partner’s arm was still across her shoulders and he managed to hold her back before she could make it to Mac. Not that she could do anything. As she writhed in John’s arms, her overly processed purple fringe flopping around like a ratty party streamer, Mac couldn’t help but notice her other arm. Both were bruised and scarred in a distinctive way that spoke less of artistic skill and more of profoundly wasted potential.
    “You can show yourself out, Ms. Mackenzie.” Olivia announced. “I think you’ve done enough damage.”
    “True artist!” Kyra shrieked as Mac turned to go, “You two-bit nobody. You rich little…! You have no idea.