Page 69 of Empire of Temptation

“Yes.”

“How did I not notice?”

“It is their job to make sure no one notices them.”

“Where are we going?”

“You didn’t like your tiramisu, so I thought we would try gelato.”

“You know a gelato place here?”

I needed her closer. Letting go of her hand, I put my arm around her waist. “There must be one nearby, no?”

We soon found a gelato shop and they served the treat the true way—in a cup with a spoon. Not a cone in sight. Valentina chose chocolate, while I got blood orange. After I paid, we walked and ate silently, letting the sights and sounds of New York City surround us. I sensed she was working something through in her mind and I didn’t want to push.

Besides, she knew where I stood on the issue of her and me. My plans for the night hadn’t changed one bit.

“I like Gianna,” she said.

“I thought you might. She’s a ball-buster, like you.”

“Did you and Enzo work out whatever the issues were?”

“Yes.” D’Agostino hadn’t made it easy on me. I needed to warn Sergio of what we’d promised in exchange for D’Agostino’s help. “Which means you have my attention for the rest of the trip.”

“She said not to believe a word you say.”

I didn’t like it, but it was decent advice, considering her history with D’Agostino. “Have I lied to you?”

“Yes.”

“About my name, but I told you why I need secrecy. And you’ve already agreed to be mine. You cannot take it back.”

“Of course I can. I can change my mind anytime I like. I’m not going to be your mistress.”

Ah. Now her attitude shift made sense. This was what Giannahad warned her about. “I have a mistress back in Catanzaro. I don’t need another.”

Valentina gasped, then hit me in the arm with her gelato spoon. “Luca! What the fuck!”

“Did you think I was celibate?”

“No, but I’m not getting involved with you when you’re already involved with someone else.”

“I am notinvolvedwith her. I fuck her when it’s convenient for me.”

“Oh, my god,” she muttered around a mouthful of gelato. “Do you pay her?”

“It doesn’t work like that.”

“Then explain how it works, please.”

“I’m a busy man. My free time is infrequent and unpredictable. I don’t have the energy to find a woman every time the mood strikes. So Chiara is available when I need her. And yes, I pay for her villa.”

“What does she do the rest of the time when you’re not around?”

“I don’t know and I don’t care. We do not talk about our lives.”

“This is unbelievable. How did you meet her?”

---