Delta: Revenge Read Online Free PDF

standing with her had pinched expressions.
    The DJ started another song, and the dance floor was reinvigorated. Sophia could dance but had to get that awful dress off. The corset choked off her circulation and, more importantly, wouldn’t allow much room for cake and champagne, both of which she was going to sample—several times—if it was the last thing she did. And by sample, she meant gorge .
    “I appreciate what you’ve done, Mom.” It certainly should have been scary how quickly her mother and her bevy of assistants transformed the wedding reception into a fundraiser.
    Actually, no, it wasn’t scary. This was Mom’s calling. Sophia tried to understand it—really. Mom’s effort was how she showed love. The attention and PR ridiculousness were her mother’s way of showing she cared. Some people hugged. Her mom created espionage-worthy illusions.
    “Thank you,” Sophia told her.
    Mom’s perfectly lipsticked lips opened, but Sophia turned, grabbing Tabby, and walked away gracefully before another word could be said.
    “Awkward.” Tabby giggled. “We need a drink.”
    “Amen.” Sophia beelined straight to the closest bar, cutting in line and grabbing the bartender’s attention. “Hi. Can you hand me that bottle, please?”
    “Um, Soph? A drink.” Tabby touched her arm. “Maybe not a bottle?”
    “Um.” The bartender’s confused expression didn’t help the speedy getaway that she was planning. Maybe she needed cake first.
    “Definitely a bottle.”
    “Um.” Tabby glanced at the bartender. “Maybe a glass .”
    “Tabby, really, I’m good.” Or not. “I’m grabbing the bottle and some cake.”
    Her friend’s eyelashes batted indecisively. “You’re sure?”
    Sophia nodded and pivoted toward the bartender. “I’ll be back in two minutes. I want a bottle of champagne.” Still no reaction. For the love of all that was holy… “See the dress? It’s my fundraiser . And my champagne. I’ll give you a minute to figure it out.”
    Tabby nodded, finally showing solidarity. “Just give it to her.”
    “He’ll figure it out.” Sophia turned and headed toward the cake. It sat on a lonesome table, waiting for its shining moment, which would never come.
    How was she going to do this? Hmm. Sophia grabbed the engraved spatula—wow, heavier than she expected—and knife, then she cut the first slice as large as the waiting plate would allow, not looking to see if anyone noticed.
    Alright then, cake in hand. Next up, champagne. She swooshed the skirt toward the bar, heading for her bottle.
    “Oh, I will definitely need this.” She grabbed a silverware roll from a table on her way, unable to ignore that people were staring. A few eyes followed her, their gossiping gazes burrowing into the poor Paul Lang number, but mostly, she could feel her mother’s stare. Alcohol was needed more than ever, certainly more than she’d needed it at the altar.
    Sophia cut ahead of someone she didn’t know. “My champagne, please.”
    The man produced a linen-wrapped bottle. “Would you like a glass, ma’am?”
    “No, thank you.” With the cake plate and silverware in one hand, and the bottle in the other, she grinned at Tabby, who had rejoined their friends at a nearby table. She mouthed, “Cake and champagne.”
    Tabby raised her glass and smiled. “ Salud. ”
    With the senior bridesmaid’s blessing, Sophia left the reception— um, fundraiser —and wandered into the hallway, taking in the vastness of a house that she was mostly unfamiliar with. In theory, it should have felt like coming home, but neither she nor Colin had actually grown up in this monstrosity.
    Sophia leaned against the wall. Her elbow trailed the chair rail molding of the ornate hall. Once the voices had faded from the grand ballroom, the quiet played with her mind. A tear slipped free. Sophia had let her life become this: a wedding that required a press secretary and a fiancé who couldn’t keep it in his pants. What if she’d