Anathema (Causal Enchantment #1)(18)

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Our black town car pulled out of the tunnel around two that afternoon with Leo at the wheel and Max whining by the gate, eliciting an exasperated look from Sofie.

As we turned onto a busy street, Sofie pointed to a massive forest on its other side. “That’s Central Park, right there.”

I’d been too overwhelmed to notice it the night we arrived. “Wow, it’s so big,” I murmured.

“Maybe we’ll go one day this week. Drop us off at Saks, will you?” Sofie instructed Leo.

“I can’t believe Viggo and Mortimer, with the money. They’re so nice,” I said.

“Yes, it would appear that way, wouldn’t it?” Sofie said through clenched teeth. Then she sighed loudly and, as if that simple act released a mountain of tension, a broad smile splashed across her beautiful face and the fire went out. “Let’s go spend all their hard–earned money.”

The car dropped us off and I followed her into Saks like a seven–year–old tailing her mother. “Fifth Avenue is the most expensive street in the world for shopping,” Sofie announced. And then she transformed into a human wrecking ball, weaving through the place without caution, casually yanking clothes off the racks and tossing them at me. “Try these on. And I want to see all of them,” she demanded, the look in her eyes brooking no argument. Not that I would argue. I’d gladly play her dress–up doll if that’s what she wanted.

Two sales ladies descended upon us, eyes alight with the possibility of large commissions, but froze in their tracks with one venomous look from Sofie. I guessed she wasn’t in the mood for help.

With my arms buried under clothes, we headed back to the fitting room, where I spent the next half an hour modeling for Sofie.

“I always dreamed of doing this with a daughter,” Sofie sighed, helping me with the zipper of a black evening gown.

“You still can. You’re young.”

Sofie laughed sadly. “There was a time when I dearly longed for two little girls—my dolls.”

It was my first glimpse of Sofie as something other than my confident and beautiful boss. By briefly sharing such a personal dream, she became human to me. I desperately needed to see more. “You still have plenty of time, Sofie.” She smirked but said nothing. “You just haven’t met the right guy yet,” I continued, defaulting to the universal explanation all females had firmly committed to memory by their early tween years.

Sofie’s lips pursed. “I did. The perfect guy.” She finished with the zipper and turned me to get a look.

“What happened?”

“It didn’t … end well.” She glanced at my pendant before scooping up a pile of clothes and walking toward the cash register.

I paid for my purchase with my birthday money, holding my breath as I counted out and laid thousand dollar bills on the counter. We stepped out of the store to find Leo waiting with the car.

“Let’s drop these bags off in the car and—” Sofie stopped in mid–sentence, her eyes suddenly scanning the street, an apprehensive grimace marring her beautiful face.

“What’s wrong?”

She didn’t respond, still searching.

“Sofie?”

“This way. Lots of shops to hit still!” she said abruptly, pounding the trunk door twice with her hand. It popped open in response. She tossed her bags in, then turned to stalk toward the next retail victim.

Hurricane Sofie whipped through three more posh stores on a spiteful mission to exhaust every last cent of Viggo and Mortimer’s money. I noticed her glance out the window several times with that same cautious gleam in her eye but each time I asked, she shrugged it off.

“I really don’t need any more clothes, Sofie,” I said as we stood in front of the fifth clothing store, my arms laden with bags. And I meant it. Between what we’d just purchased and the full closet back at Viggo and Mortimer’s, I had enough clothing to last me a lifetime. Growing up, my mother never had enough money for more than a pair of Wranglers and tennis shoes at one time. My foster families were required to ensure I had an adequate selection of clean, hole–free clothing, but there was never enough money to indulge in a pair of designer jeans, let alone go hog wild. This was beyond excessive.

“You’re right,” she said, her brow furrowing in thought. A devilish smile spread her lips. “Follow me.”

I remained clueless of her intentions until I saw the Harry Winston sign. Jewelry. I groaned.

Marching in, she headed straight for a counter and turned to me. “Pick something out, Evangeline,” she demanded.

I swallowed, gazing down at the display cases full of sparkling jewels. “I don’t need—”

“Okay, this one.” She pointed to a diamond bracelet. The clerk rushed to pull it out. “Wrist,” Sofie ordered.

I obliged. The clerk slipped on the bracelet. I turned my arm slowly, watching the light reflect off the countless stones. It was stunning. “How much is it?” I asked. When the clerk told me I choked, my eyes bugging out of my head in shock. “Get it off! Please!”

“We’ll buy it,” Sofie announced.

“Sofie! I don’t need a bracelet! That could pay for college!” My stomach churned as the words left my mouth, the truth of it distressing. It would take me a lifetime to save that kind of money.