Page 110 of Modern Romance Collection May 2024 Books 1-4

It hadn’t been until Aroldo had arrived to prepare lunch and confirmed not only that his son-in-law was with Julius but also a well-trained officer who was being generously compensated for his time that she had managed to let herself breathe.

Julius had texted around noon, telling her that was she was off-duty and the best thing she could do was relax.

She hated it. But unless she could somehow trace his phone and call for a ride, she wouldn’t be able to track him down.

So she’d had lunch on the terrace, explored the villa’s library. She’d even spent an hour lying by the pool with a book, forcing herself to try and relax as she waited for him.

It hadn’t worked.

Now, with four o’clock fast approaching, she hadn’t seen him all day.

Frustrated, she blew on her mug, watched steam curl up from the pink-tinted rose tea. Then stiffened as she heard footsteps coming down the hall. Her heart careened into her throat, butterflies flapping madly inside her chest as she sucked in a calming breath.

You can do this.

She turned just as Julius walked into the kitchen.

“Hello.”

She bit back a flash of irritation at his casual greeting, strove for the same level of calm he exuded.

“Next time, I need to know where you’re going and who you’ll be with.”

He stayed by the door, hands tucked into his pockets, his eyes moving up and down her body. Heat seared her fingertips as her hand tightened around the mug.

“Yes, Mom.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“Your safety is not a joke.”

His expression sobered.

“That was thoughtless. I’m sorry. I’m not used to the security and protocol. But Aroldo’s son-in-law was both an excellent guard and guide.”

“And generously compensated,” she added dryly.

“That, too,” he added with a grin that made her heart clench.

Now. Tell him now.

“I—”

“Would you like to go to a masquerade with me tonight?”

Her lips parted. Of all the things she’d anticipated him saying, an invitation to a masquerade hadn’t even made the list. “What?”

“A masquerade.”

“But...where?”

“Aroldo’s daughter Hanna operates a rum distillery near Grand Anse Beach. She’s hosting a gala to raise funds for the island’s annual Spicemas carnival in August. Aroldo compared it to the carnivals celebrated in late winter in countries like Brazil and the States.”

“Oh.” Mentally she started running through her checklist. “It’s a little soon, but if I could get a copy of the floor plan, I could evaluate—”

He stepped closer, a slight smile lifting the corners of his mouth.

“Not as my bodyguard, Esmerelda. As my date.”

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