Page 57 of Empire of Temptation

“I’ll bring Valentina.”

Sergio chuckled. “I thought you might say that.”

“Call the hotel I like, stronzo. Book the nicest room they have available.”

“Okay, but what if she doesn’t agree to come with you?”

I thought of the woman who’d melted like butter in my hands. “Don’t worry. She will agree.”

Chapter Fourteen

Valentina

“Val, the toilet in the first bathroom is stopped up.”

I glanced up from the order list I was working on for Roberto. Anne Marie stood in the office doorway, her expression full of regret at delivering me this news. We’d rehired my former server a few days ago, but this was her first day back since quitting. She’d agreed to return when I told her we had a new chef and that Tony was banned from the restaurant.

“It’s stopped upagain?” I asked, my voice rising in annoyance.

“It wasn’t me,” she quickly added. “Have the workmen been using it?”

“Probably.” I closed my eyes and exhaled. I hated our old pipes. “Okay, I’ll go plunge.”

“Want me to do it, honey? You’ve got a lot on your plate.”

Plunging toilets was a dirty, thankless job. One I wouldn’t wish on anyone. And I never asked employees to do anything I wasn’t willing to do myself. After all, I was the boss. It was my responsibility. “That’s nice of you to offer, but I’ll do it. I’m used to it.”

“You might want to change first.”

Right. I’d worn a cute outfit today, wanting to look my best in case a handsome older Italian gentleman stopped by. Which was stupid, because Luca had far better things to do than drive over here.

Like running a criminal mafia organization.

I tried not to think about our hookup when I was lying in bed last night. Or this morning. Or in the shower. Or on the drive into work. Or as I stopped for coffee.

Okay, I was obviously failing at forgetting it. I felt like the information was tattooed across my forehead for all to see:I hooked up with a mob boss.

“Damn it,” I said to Anne Marie. “I don’t have a change of clothing here.”

“Then let me do it.” She gestured to her jeans and t-shirt. “I’m dressed for dirty work.”

I stood up. “No, that’s all right. God knows it’s not the first time I’ve plunged while wearing a dress.”

“If you’re sure, then I’ll go back to unpacking the new glassware with Roberto. Good luck.”

In the bathroom, I caught my reflection in the mirror. This dress really was cute. I discovered it while scrolling on a social media app late one night. The sleeveless wine-colored sheath dress had a tiny bit of ruching on the side, and I looked sophisticated in it. A woman in charge, like my mother. Not like a silly twenty-one-year-old virgin.

Bottom line? Nothing was going to ruin this dress. I locked the bathroom door, then carefully unzipped my dress and stepped out of it. I carefully hung it on the side of a wall sconce, far out of the way.

I stared down at myself and tried not to laugh. I now wore only heels, a thong, and a lace bra. It was ridiculous, but what choice did I have? Besides, this would be over soon and no one would ever know.

A long curse crossed my lips. At some point I really needed to get these old pipes dealt with. No matter how many signs you put up asking people not to flush paper towels or feminine products, rude assholes stilldid it anyway.

Just as I turned to the small supply cabinet for the tools needed to tackle the job ahead of me, a frightening bang on the door was accompanied by an equally frightening shout.

“What thefuck?”

I froze. That wasn’t Anne Marie.

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