Page 106 of His Two Hidden Masks

“If there were a way for you to stop the acquisition and be with Dylan Street, would you choose it?” He slowed down his voice, pausing between every word. “Don’t lie. Give yourself a second.”

I didn’t need a second. I knew the answer. “Yes,” I said, swallowing. “Yes, I would.”

Leo nodded and smiled. “Okay, we’ve gotten to the truth. So, when is this sham of a wedding?”

“Tomorrow, eight p.m. at Doge’s Palace.”

“Oh, yes, the offering of love.” Leo smiled. “If you want me to be there, and you want my help making this happen for you, I will be there.”

He nodded his head and twirled his hands, as if he were doing a royal bow at the table.

“Thank you,” I said. “I need help with my dress.”

“Of course, you do.” Leo stood up and stretched his arms skyward. “Come on, come on. Get up. If we are going to make you look like a love goddess in twenty-four hours, we have work to do.”

“I don’t think I need ‘love goddess.’ Remember, this is a marriage of convenience.”

“I don’t care what you call it. You are going to look gorgeous when you give your heart to Mr. Have-and -Not-Hold until you crush the competition.”

“Thank you, Leo.”

“Strand? Really?” Leo said, hands raised.

“Yes, really.” I laughed and paid the bill.

Leo turned to leave and pivoted right into the path of another guest. The man was tall, and my first thought was that he looked like Aqua Man.

His wavy, auburn hair was tied into a man bun. He wore a plaid shirt, black vest, and tats covered his neck and knuckles. He was rugged and smoking hot.

The man caught Leo with both hands. He held him by his elbows in an awkward embrace.

“Well, hello, sailor,” Leo said, looking up at him.

“Are you all-right?” he asked Leo, his voice low.

Leo blinked at him, not speaking.

“He’s fine, thank you,” I said, jumping in when Leo went silent. “I’m Bella. This is Leo. Thank you for catching him.”

“Yes, thank you,” Leo said, a dizzied smile crossing his face.

“You are welcome,” the man said. “I’m Ari.”

“And are you in town visiting from somewhere, Ari?” I said.

“Iceland,” he said.

“Of course, you are.” Leo sighed, smitten.

“Dining alone, I see,” I said, nodding to the waiter behind him. He stood waiting by a table set for one.

“Yes,” Ari said. “I arrived today. It’s my first time in Venice.”

Leo pulled out a card from his back pocket. “I work at the Lido Glass Factory and have lived in Venice my whole life. If you would like someone to show you around, call me. I’d be happy to take you anywhere.”

The man looked at Leo, his serious expression softening into a sweet smile. He looked like an enormous, fierce, but cuddly, red bear.

Leo linked his arm in mine and we walked out of the restaurant. “Call me,” Leo mouthed the words to Ari over his shoulder.

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