Page 32 of Empire of Temptation

Silence followed my statement and they both stared at me in disbelief. “You left,” Maggie repeated. “As in, like, left.”

“I know.” I dropped my face in my hands. “I’m hopeless. But I didn’t know what to do. I told him his watch was sexy. It was so embarrassing.”

“Did he try anything or give you any hints that he’s interested?”

Sam picked up a napkin and threw it at Maggie. “Of course he’s interested! He’s Investor Daddy.”

Maggie batted the napkin away. “I know, but I would think a guy that old at least has some game. I can’t believe he let you leave, Val.”

This conversation was making my head spin. “Do not call him Investor Daddy. It’s bad enough I call him that in my head.”

“I need to get a look at this man,” Sam said. “Maybe I should drop off some pastries from the café one morning.”

“Good luck.” I set my wine glass on the table. “His security probably won’t let you in.”

“Security?”

“The estate is crawling with young guys who look like serious badasses. I had to show ID before they’d let me in.”

“Damn, I want to be that rich,” Maggie said.

“Me too,” Sam echoed. “But a rich Italian man, living on that particular estate with a bunch of security? The Portifinos were connected. So what does Luca do for a living?”

The three of us stared at each other. “No, it couldn’t be,” I said. “You’ve been listening to your grandmother too much.”

But the seeds of doubt were planted and started to thrive. Luca did carry a lot of cash. And there was Roberto and Giovanni’s suddenappearance in Paesano. All the men in Luca’s orbit seemed to defer to him as if he were the . . . .

“It doesn’t matter,” I told both of them. “I’m not going to see him again.”

“Sure you won’t,” Maggie said dismissively. “How was the tension? Thick with sexual chemistry?”

“So fucking thick.” They both clapped their hands and gave little squeals of delight. I could feel my skin heating, a blush working its way to my toes, so I rushed to say, “Stop. I just told you I’m not going to see him again.”

Maggie topped off my wine. “Listen, whether he’s connected or not doesn’t matter. He’s not husband material. Just have some casual fun for once in your life with someone you won’t see at the grocery store for the next forty years.” Maggie had dated a lot of guys in Paesano. She said she couldn’t go anywhere here without running into at least two of her exes.

Sam nodded. “Yes, good point. And I bet he’sveryexperienced. We need to find a way to manifest this for you. You deserve a temporary fuck buddy, Val.”

“You’re both insane. And I don’t want to think about that tonight.” I lifted my glass again. “Tonight I just want to drink and hang out with all of you.”

“Okay, but don’t think we’re dropping this.” Maggie lifted her glass in a toast. “To manifesting!”

We all touched glasses, with Sam giving Maggie a wink. “To manifesting!”

Luca

The computer screen blurred, so I took off my glasses and rubbed my eyes. Though I was tired, I couldn’t relax. An hour had passed sincemy visit to the mayor, but I was still pissed. I kept picturing Val forced to fuck that piece of shit . . . and I wanted to hit something.

I’d tried to take my mind off everything by staying busy. I showered, then concentrated on work, moving money and reviewing financial reports. I even checked in with some of our distributors in the Netherlands.

But I couldn’t concentrate, I was so wired. Maybe some food would help.

In the kitchen Aldo was sitting at the island, laughing at something on his phone. He didn’t look up as I went to the refrigerator.

“Let me guess? Hamster videos.” Aldo was obsessed with watching animal videos, usually hamsters.

“They are adorable. Per favore, can we get one?”

I shook my head as I searched for something to eat. I’d once watched Aldo pop a man’s eyeballs from his skull, and he could dismember a body faster than anyone else on my payroll. And he wanted a tiny little ball of fur?

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