Page 55 of His Two Hidden Masks

“I don’t even know what that means,” I said. “You are ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous and you like me,” he said, sighing. “Admit it.”

I sighed. I did like him. I liked him a lot. I also enjoyed the easy banter between us. It was flirty, energetic, and fun. I had never made love to a man who made me laugh this much. I had never fucked anyone three times in a row and come every time. Dylan was some kind of magic.

The door to the waiting area opened and my heart sank. It was Captain Angelo Camarda, the Chief of Police, a man close to my father’s age and one of his longtime friends. He had known me since I was a child. His son, Dante, was the legendary bad kisser from secondary school.

This was so embarrassing. Captain Camarda was a long-standing Venetian, which meant he was one of the many sitting in the pews of the San Polo Church when I’d hiked up my skirts and claimed the title of Venice’s most recent runaway bride.

Captain Camarda wasn’t a gossip. He was known for being tough as nails, and I did not consider him a friendly face. Stout and round with a shining, bald head, he stood in the doorway and sighed. Dark circles sagged beneath his eyes. He did not look pleased to see me.

“Isabella Uzano,” Angelo said, exhaling with a slight wheeze. “Come into my office, please.”

“Both of us, sir?” I said.

“No, my dear,” he said, smiling. “Just you, please. Just you.”

“See you, beautiful,” Dylan said, patting my leg one more time. “Don’t forget me.”

“SShhhh, be good,” I hissed, swatting his hand away and hoping Captain Camarda had not noticed his cheeky move.

I walked through the open door into Captain Camarda’s office. I could see Dylan on the folding chair right outside, his eyes closed again.

He looked like he was sleeping. How was that possible? I thought I might vomit, and Dylan looked like he had found a lovely, if awkward, place to nap.

Angelo nodded at the seat across from his desk. He sat down and sighed, his leather chair squeaking under the weight of his girth.

“I’m sorry, Captain Camarda,” I said. “Let me explain.”

He held up a hand to silence me. “No, please, don’t.” He rubbed his eyes. “Isabella, I have known you since you were a child. I know your father. I know your mother. I knew your sister. I was at your wedding.” He paused, and I wondered if this was for dramatic effect.

I cringed.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Things happen, my dear,” he said. “I don’t care who you marry or don’t marry. I don’t care who you spend time with.” He paused. “I have heard from the guards at the Lido Glass Factory.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, bracing myself.

He folded his hands and leaned across the leather ledger on his desk. “And I think it’s best that you remember to pick up your packages during business hours next time.” His words were slow and carefully worded. “Don’t you agree with me?”

He was handing me a lifeline, an excuse, a reason for being there after dark. I didn’t know why, but I wasn’t about to ask questions.

“Yes, of course,” I said, trying to sound normal, but convinced I sounded like a liar. I just wanted this conversation to be over so I could get out of here. “I should definitely pick up my packages during business hours like a normal person.”

“Like a normal person,” he said, rubbing the bridge of the nose. “Yes, that is right. You would save us all a lot of trouble. Going to the Lido Glass Factory after dark with a tourist is just asking for trouble.”

He waved at someone behind me and the door opened. In walked Leo with two Lido Glass Factory packages beautifully wrapped in white paper.

“Bella, darling,” Leo said, his eyes wide. He had a totally natural smile on his face. “I’m so sorry about this, Captain.” He turned and looked at me, his eyes focused. “I had the pieces wrapped, Bella. I know you wanted them for Carnival.”

“Carnival?” I asked.

Leo glared at me.

“Yes, Carnival, sorry, that Carnival,” I said, feeling like an idiot.

“As I explained when I called, Captain, this is my fault,” Leo said. “I had thought Bella could find the pieces easily, but they weren’t at the desk as expected.”

“Of course. Of course,” Captain Camarda said, his face weary. I was pretty sure he knew the whole package story was a lie. I could also tell that he didn’t care. He wanted us to wrap up and be gone.

---