Page 57 of His Two Hidden Masks

“Yes, I do,” Dylan said as we rounded the corner of the train station. There were a few people on the steps outside, but it was practically empty. The trains wouldn’t start running again for a few hours.

“The way I see it, we had a lovely tour, and your friend has also selected some wonderful art and helped engineer our exit. I will carry it and I will buy it.”

“Thanks for noticing,” Leo said, pleased with himself. “I did engineer your exit, although Captain Camarda may have been on to us. He is still mad that you didn’t marry Dante, Bella.”

“Please,” I said. “No more talking of Dante.”

“Who is Dante?” Dylan said.

“You don’t want to know,” Leo said. “Nothing to worry about, by the way. Just a kid with terrible mouth and tongue coordination.”

“What does that mean?”

“A very bad kisser,” Leo said.

“Ignore him, please,” I said.

We walked down the marble steps of the station toward the Grand Canal.

“I’m amazed you pulled it off, Leo,” I said, exhaustion hitting me. The adrenaline of our evening was officially depleted. “Even if Camarda didn’t buy the whole story, you gave him a reason to send us home.”

We crossed the bridge over the Grand Canal and back into the narrow and cobblestoned streets of Venice.

“Well, if you must know,” Leo said, clearly enjoying the recap and his role in our escape. “I had to think fast. When the security guards alerted me about you intruders, I only had seconds to come up with a scenario to keep you out of trouble and keep my job.”

“Oh, Leo,” I said, hooking my arm into his as we walked toward the Campo Polo. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right. I kept my wits about me, and knowing you two enjoyed your private tour makes it all worthwhile.”

“Well, I’m still sorry,” I said. “We lost track of time.”

“I’m glad,” Leo said. “I’m glad someone had fun tonight, and honestly, I can return the packages in the morning.”

Leo turned to look at Dylan. “I needed a solid reason for you to be there tonight.”

“I’m keeping them,” Dylan said. “And I’m paying you triple for every piece.”

“You don’t even know what’s in the bags,” Leo said.

“It doesn’t matter. You work on commission?”

“I do,” Leo said.

“I have seen your work and I’ve seen what you sell in your gallery. It’s beautiful. Thank you for what you did tonight for Bella,” Dylan said. “I appreciate you looking out for her.” We kept walking in silence. I tried to ignore how much I liked the feeling of Dylan taking care of me.

Whatever started and ended in Venice, if I wanted to avoid another emotional breakdown that would land me in my bedroom for six months, I needed to take care of my heart.

We walked in silence. Leo and I led us to still quieter streets. It was close to three a.m., and most of the city was asleep, although every once in a while, we heard someone hooting and hollering. The bars and dance clubs had just closed, so there would be one more wave of chaos before the morning.

We were getting close to Leo’s house. I linked arms with him and leaned in, giving him a side hug as we walked. “You are simply the best,” I said.

“I wish David thought so,” he said.

“What?” I looked at him in shock. “What happened?”

“Nothing, it’s fine. Ignore me,” he said, shaking his head. “We had a call planned for tonight, a sexy call. He’s been traveling so much.”

“And you said he was busy.”

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