Page 53 of The Last Vendetta

The less chance I took of someone being suspicious about my looking for Cecilia, the better.

“Did you find anything?” I asked once I closed the doors behind me. Francis had beaten me to the solarium. He stood near the back windows, gazing out at the horticultural sculptures out back. Always alert, always watching. In a little way, I knew I’d miss him once I left. He was a familiar source of security, or he was supposed to represent it.

“I did.” He faced me, checking that we were alone. “But if I may…?”

I waved my hand, gesturing for him to go ahead. “You know you can always speak your mind with me, Francis.”

His lips almost lifted in a smile. “Yes.”

“I’m not my mother,” I reminded him snarkily.

“Indeed, you are not.” He cleared his throat. “If I may be so bold to ask, why do you want to know where Miss Romano is?”

I licked my lips. I couldn’t tell him that Renzo and I were trying to be sleuths together. That was my secret.

“She is my peer.”

He arched his brows. “And potential sister-in-law?”

I clamped my lips shut.

“Miss Giulia,” he began carefully.

“I don’t want to discuss my future.”

He sighed and nodded. “Should you ever need my help, though?—”

I huffed. “Help?” I raised my brows. “I wouldn’t need help dealing with my fiancé.” I would need assistance getting away from him.

“If you should attempt an alternative solution for your future…”

Now it was my turn to fail at hiding a smile.

“Then please know that I have your best interests in mind. Politics will never change. But I’ve seen you grow from a sweet child into a generous and kind woman. You have my allegiance.”

I broke all protocol to hug him. It was a risk, but after the tumultuous ups and downs, I couldn’t help it.

“Thank you.”

He patted my back before we parted. “Now. Miss Romano.”

I nodded. It was back to business. “Have you learned anything?”

“Yes. She is residing at the villa up along the coast. One of her family’s vacation properties.”

“Residing? Or hiding?” There had to be a difference. If Renzo was correct in saying that Marcus didn’t know where his daughter was, her choice of a location made no sense. It wouldn’t be that hard for him to find her there. Or any number of employees could tell Marcus where she was.

Unless Marcus is trying to act like he doesn’t know where she is…

“I cannot tell. My sources only confirmed that she’s been there since Luka Bernardi’s death.”

“Your source?”

He nodded. “A member of the Romano security detail.” Then he handed over a small slip of paper with an address on it.

“Thank you, Francis.”

Now that I knew where to find her, I’d go and get some damn answers. I couldn’t be sure what Cecilia could tell me that would help me figure out who my truest enemies were, but it was a start.

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