Page 8 of Hot Moves

“Uh-huh.” She gives me a knowing look. “You need any more aloe? And by the way, we just finished a round of volleyball. It’s crazy out there. I came to see if you wanted to grab some dinner with me while Jana and Clarissa hang out with two hotties they met on the beach.”

That sounds like those two. They live to flirt. “Actually, I was just about to decide what to order.” I gesture to the menu lying on the bed.

Her eyes light up. “Perfect! Let’s order room service and have a girls’ night in. Besides, you need a break from the sun.”

I laugh, grateful for her company. Tomorrow, we all head our separate ways, and it will be several more weeks before I see my sister again. “Sounds good. I could use a burger.”

We peruse the menu together, settling on burgers and a couple of desserts that look too good to resist. Lila calls in the order, and we flop onto the bed, chatting about everything and nothing while we wait.

As we talk, I can’t help but glance occasionally at the bottle of aloe vera gel sitting on the nightstand. I wonder if I’ll seeLorenzo again. Maybe it's just a fleeting encounter, destined to become one of those intriguing but unfulfilled “what ifs.” Or maybe, just maybe, there’s more to this story.

Our food arrives, brought up by the same polite hotel employee from before. We dig in, enjoying the savory comfort of burgers and fries.

“Here’s to no more sunburns, thoughtful strangers, and sisterly bonding,” Lila says, raising her soda in an impromptu toast.

I clink my glass against hers, feeling a rare mix of contentment and excitement. “To all of that and more.”

We share a laugh, and for the first time today, I fully relax. It feels as though the sting of the sunburn, both literal and figurative, has started to fade. And as I lie back against the pillows, I allow myself to believe that maybe unexpected things are just around the corner.

FIVE

LORENZO

The viewfrom the hotel penthouse balcony is growing tedious as I long for my home in New York City. The city that never sleeps’ restless energy mirrors my own. I take a deep breath, the cool salty sea air filling my lungs, but there's no real calm to be found here tonight.

I twirl the glass of bourbon in my hand, watching the amber liquid catch the light. The city holds countless threats and opportunities, alliances and betrayals. It's a delicate balance and one I manage daily. I miss it and can’t wait to return home. The only thing holding me back is thoughts of a gorgeous blonde I can’t wipe from my thoughts or my heart.

The sliding door opens behind me, and I hear Luca's footsteps. I don't need to turn around to know it's him; his presence is as familiar as my own shadow.

"Lorenzo," he says, his voice low and urgent. "We have a problem."

I turn to face him, sensing the weight of his words before he even speaks them aloud. “What is it?”

He steps closer, lowering his voice even further, though we’re alone out here. “Intel just came through. The Grimaldis have someone in the hotel. They’ve been leaking information.”

I feel a spike of anger, but I keep it controlled. “What do they know?”

Luca’s expression darkens. “We suspect they know all of our movements. And they were able to find out Mira’s name and room number as easily as we did. They probably suspect something happened between the two of you since you sent a bottle of aloe vera gel to her room.”

Fucking hell. It only took Luca five minutes and one call to discover my curvy little blonde heart thief’s name and room number. I should’ve realized at that time my girl could be in danger, but I’m losing my goddamn edge. Meeting Mira fried my brain circuits.

The mere mention of her name makes my pulse quicken and turns my cock to stone. “Grimaldis…” I curse under my breath as all the possibilities flow through my mind. “Those motherfuckers.”

Luca nods, his eyes filling with concern. “You always knew having close personal relationships would supply them with potential weak spots. It’s time for us to go into damage control.” Then he adds almost under his breath, “If you plan to pursue a relationship with this girl.”

There’s no doubt in my mind and no choice for me. Leaving Mira alone now just isn’t possible. I set my glass down on the railing, a new wave of protectiveness surging up within me. “Where is she now?” I ask without answering his question while a little voice in the back of my mind celebrates having an excuse to keep her close.

“She’s still at the hotel, enjoying her vacation, completely unaware of the danger she’s in,” Luca replies.

I turn to face the sea again, my mind racing. Mira is innocent, completely removed from the bloody chess game of power and retribution I play daily. The thought of her being dragged into this mess, of her being hurt because of me, is intolerable.

“We need to get her out of here,” I say, my voice firm, leaving no room for argument. “Tonight.”

Luca nods, already anticipating my next move. “I’ll arrange it. We can have her moved to a secure location. But she’ll have questions, Lorenzo. Lots of them.”

“That’s my problem,” I reply. “Just make sure she’s safe.” I’m not sure how I’ll convince the innocent woman to give me a chance, but I’ll figure it out somehow.

Luca turns to leave, his mission clear, but then pauses. “And Lorenzo… are you one hundred percent sure this is what you want?”

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