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.Find out who you are.Then everyone will see you as your own person.”She looked so bleak and hopeless, Maggie’s heart tore.God, she remembered how it felt, howconfusing life was.But Carina had people to guide her, people who loved her, and Maggie hoped itmade the difference.“How do I do that? Look at me.I’m a mess.”“Do you like studying business in college?”“I don’t mind.I’m very good with numbers—oneof the few things I can do well.” Her chin tilted upstubbornly.“But it would be nice if someone asked my opinion.”Maggie laughed.The girl had spirit.She’d need it.“Business and accounting aren’t bad degrees toget.You can do lots of stuff with it and meet new and interesting people.” She pointed to the art roomat the back.“Is that your painting?”Carina nodded.“Yeah, I like to paint, but I don’t think I’m good.”Maggie took in the stark images of faces in different emotional turmoil.With a critical eye, shenoticed the sweeping lines of the brush, the vivid expressions pulling the viewer in, and thebeginnings of real talent.“No, you’re good,” she said slowly.“Don’t ever give up on the art.Takesome classes on the side to nurture your talent, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.Get it?”Carina nodded, seemingly fascinated by her new sister-in-law.“Michael has your best interests at heart, but as an older brother, he’s always going to suck at this.You’re going to need more of a backbone to let him know what is and is not acceptable.”Her eyes widened.“But whatever Michael says is law,” she whispered.“He’s head of the family.”“I’m not telling you to disrespect him.Just be clear with communication.Try.”“Okay.”“As for Max, maybe one day things will change.Until then, you need to concentrate on other boys.”“I told you, boys don’t like me.”Maggie shook her head.“You’re not presenting yourself to your full potential.” The invitationhovered at the edge of her lips, but before she could swallow the words Maggie sealed her fate.“Why don’t you come with me to my shoot this week?”The girl studied her with suspicion.“Why?”Maggie laughed.“I’ll give you a makeover.Show you the world of photography and introduce youto some of the models.It won’t fix your problems, but maybe you can see how other people view you.You’re beautiful, Carina.Inside and out.You just need to believe it.”As she said the words, Maggie suddenly fought back tears.What she would have given forsomeone to say those words to her.Would it have made a difference? At least she had an opportunityto tell another young girl, whether or not it made an impression.Disgusted with her burgeoningemotions in the past twenty-four hours, she tamped down her silliness and stiffened her spine.“You would do that?”“Sure.It’ll be fun.”Carina threw her arms around her in an all-consuming hug.A beat passed before Maggie hugged back, then pulled away awkwardly.“Thanks, Maggie.You’re the best sister-in-law in the world!”“I’m your only sister-in-law, babe.” Guilt pricked her conscience.It was one thing to pretend to beMichael’s wife, but another to actually form an attachment to his family.She regretted the invitationimmediately but it was too late to change her mind.Maggie rose from the bed and walked toward thedoor.“Grazie!”“Prego.”She shut the door behind her.Oh, boy.Michael was going to be pissed.Chapter SixDios, he was going to kill her.Michael watched his fake bride calmly gather her belongings for the upcoming shoot and moveabout the room like she was alone.Unfortunately, she was not.He was getting more and moreirritated at her fake ignorance of the chemistry that burned through the room.This was getting complicated.She was supposed to stay out of his business, remain distant, anddepart with not even a ripple.Instead, she caused a tsunami the first day here.Everyone seemed tolike her mouthy attitude.Now his baby sister was going to a shoot to see half-naked men, and Maggiethought this was a good thing.“You did not even ask permission before you invited her,” he stated coldly.“Do not disrespect mewith matters of my own family, Maggie.”She didn’t bother to glance at him as she packed her day bag.She wore black satin pajamas thatrippled over her like water, emphasizing every sweet curve of her body.Her silky hair brushed backand forth past her shoulders and put him in a meditative trance.“Hm, I don’t think the word ‘obey’was in our vows, Michael.Anyway, I told you I was kidding about the blind date thing.At least youdon’t have to worry about that.”“This is not funny.”She snorted.“Listen, I had no choice.She was hysterical, and I needed to calm her down.If youhadn’t treated her like a five-year-old, maybe I wouldn’t have had to do it.”“Carina is an innocent and I intend to keep her that way.”She snorted again and his temper reared.“Wake up and smell the coffee, Count.She’s on the edgeof exploring her sexuality.She’s gonna do it anyway, and we might as well be her guides.”“Not under my roof.I have a duty to protect her and I will.She needs to finish college and start hercareer.Boys are not in the picture.”“She’s hot for Max.”“What? ” His roar boomed off the walls
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