Page 57 of Sweet Deception

I glare at Gio before rushing to ease Luca's bruised ego. "No—well, I didn't think you were, but … how am I to know? I mean, youareyoung for being a real estate mogul. That's the only reason I was worried. And not because you look older." I shrug. "That's all, I swear!

Luca's narrowed gaze eases, so I blow him a kiss. He just shakes his head before turning his attention back to his phone. I catch Gio's reflection in the mirror and give him big eyes. He gives me an amused head shake before turning to look out the window.

Rafael's quiet as ever, but I detect a hint of a smile from the side of his face. I can't figure him out, but I'm determined to make a friend out of him. I turn back to the passing view outside my window as I contemplate how to go about it.

Chapter twenty-four

Luca

After dropping Kylie off at her apartment, Rafael drops us at the downtown office. He'll continue to the club to meet with the men he hired for the investigation. Rafael has a string he's about to pull and I'm anxious if it will produce results.

I switch my thoughts to Kylie as we walk to the bank of elevators. While I'm distracted, Gio greets everyone we pass until we board the elevator.

"I've got reports to finish before my meeting with Terry about the plans for the hotel. I want you to do the property inspections. Call me if anything is out of order, but if all is ok, then meet with Rafael to see if he needs any help. Otherwise, you're free for the rest of the day."

"You got it." Gio leans back against the elevator wall as he looks through his phone.

Running a hand through my hair, I worry over Kylie. The thought of these men targeting her, while slim, still has me antsy when I'm not there for protection.

"I'm ready to wrap this thing up. Joseph is on Kylie, right?" I ask, even though I already know the answer.

"Yeah man. She's covered. Don't worry. You know how good he is. He won't let anything happen to her." His phone pings with a notification. "He just reported he's following her to school."

"Good."

The elevator stops and as we exit, I turn to face Gio. "Thank you. I don't tell you guys that enough, but thank you for all your hard work. You could be off handling your own businesses by now, but you're here helping me grow mine. It means a lot." Pausing, I gather my thoughts. "When this is all over, I would like to talk to you and Rafael about becoming partners. I know you said you don't like a lot of responsibility, but you're already shouldering it, so you might as well get all the perks that come with it." They need to know I couldn't do this without them.

Gio looks dumbfounded, so I squeeze his shoulder. But then the right corner of his mouth tips up and I know he's about to mess with me.

"Damn, Luca. One weekend with the girl and you've gone all soft."

I growl and lean in to give him a quick jab to the stomach while still holding him by the shoulder. Not expecting the punch, Gio's breath rushes out, and he bends over, wheezing.

"Your stomach is what's gone soft. You might want to work on that." I turn and walk off, whistling.

My assistant is standing at my office door with eyes wide as she waits for me. "Good morning, Esther." I take the folder from her extended hand while not breaking my stride to my desk.

Esther follows me in and clears her throat. "Uh … good morning, sir. Can I bring you coffee?" She waits at my desk as I settle myself into my chair and turn the computer on.

"No, but I would love some water, please." When she doesn't leave right away, I look up, arching my eyebrow.

Esther's eyes widen again before she backs away. "Yes, of course. Coming right up." Then she rushes out of my office.

"What the hell?" I frown. "Haven't gone soft, damnit."

Turning back to my computer, I check my schedule for the day.

Before I get to work, I text Joanna requesting the red dress she bought a few nights ago be delivered to my house and ask her to make sure she provides the appropriate accessories to match as Esther enters with my water.

Setting my phone down, I address her. "Esther, find me a respected jeweler in town and get me their contact information, please."

"A jeweler?" The pitch of her voice brings my eyes to hers.

"Yes. A jeweler." My brows dip at her reaction. I realize I've never asked this of her before, but does she have to act so surprised?

"Yes, sir. Right away." She rushes out of my office.

Shaking my head, I wonder how she'll react when I have Kylie come to my office after school.

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