Page 275 of Roberto

“No, go to Venice. I didn’t get to tell you when you called before, but that’s where we are. Dario wanted to be with Massimo.”

“Alright, I’ll text you our ETA after I talk to the pilot. By the way, I’ll be bringing someone with me.”

“Who?”Niccolo asked. I could hear the burning curiosity in his voice.

“You’ll see.Ciao.”

“Roberto – ”he said indignantly.

I hung up and turned to the pilot. “We’re going to Venice.”

“That’ll be close to 14 hours. We should get to Marco Polo International around…” The pilot did a few calculations in his head. “…roughly 8 PM local time.”

“Excellent.”

“You should get to your seats – we’ll be taking off in just a few minutes.”

“Thank you.”

I texted NiccoloETA Venice 8 PM,then handed Mei-ling her phone as we strapped into seats facing each other.

“Do youreallyhave to give back the money?” she asked wistfully.

“I have no interest in looking over my shoulder the rest of my life.”

“Then I would think you’re in the wrong line of business,” she teased me.

I grinned. “Let me amend that: I have no interest in looking over my shoulder forHanthe rest of my life.”

“But it’s 200million dollars.”

“A deal’s a deal.”

“Hmph,” she pouted playfully as the jet roared down the runway.

We both stared at each other the entire time, waiting in fear for an explosion –

And only breathed easily when we reached cruising altitude.

“We didn’t get blown up,” Mei-ling said, almost like it was a shock.

“Not yet, anyway,” I joked.

Once the stewardess told us we could move about freely, I got out of my seat, went over to a sofa along the cabin wall, and motioned to Mei-ling. “Come here.”

She got out of her seat and sat facing me, her legs curled up under her body.

I kissed her, and she kissed me back.

“Thank you,” I whispered when I pulled away. “For everything.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled sadly. “I suppose we’ll be going our separate ways when we get to Venice.”

“Or… we could get married.”

She stared at me, shocked speechless.

“Is that youthinkingabout it?” I asked playfully.

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