Page 235 of Roberto

And decided it was the best way.

Theonlyway.

My stomach churned as I went to my office and got my purse.

The pistol was inside.

Time to end this.

I put on my trench coat and walked out to the elevators. As I rode down to the lobby, I radioed my head of security. “I’m going out to confront him.”

I could hear the alarm in his voice as he said,“That is NOT a good idea. Let me send some guys with you – ”

“No. He’s harmless.”

“Then why have we been monitoring him every night?”

“Because he’s a nuisance. I donotwant you or any of the other security team to interfere – do you understand?”

“Ma’am – ”

“That is a direct order. No matter what you see on the camera feeds, you arenotto intervene. I have something planned, and I have it under control. Do you understand?”

“…alright.”

“Thank you.”

I immediately turned off the walkie-talkie.

I exited the elevator in the building lobby. Rather than go out the front door, I took a side exit. Then I crossed the empty street, reached into my purse, and pulled out my gun.

My heart was beating so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest.

It very nearly did when I reached the alley.

I could hear Roberto – or someone – walking towards the street.

I raised my gun and spun around the corner –

It was him.

He wore his normal three-piece suit instead of that ridiculous hoodie.

I felt a jolt of pleasure in seeing him –

Something I definitelyhadn’tanticipated.

Something else I didn’t anticipate:

He completely ignored the gun.

Instead, he stared at me like I was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

He said something in Italian. I didn’t know what it was, but I could hear the tenderness in his voice –

And I could see the overjoyed smile on his face.

I frowned in confusion.

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