Page 114 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

I won’t mess this up.

Chapter thirty-nine

Leah

The stillness of theCaldwell Estate feelseerie, like a prologue to the rest of the evening, and I’m hoping thateverything I’ve set up in Rome will go as planned. I’ve decided I don’t likeLondon, but we’re here to do business. Well, Silas is.

Kane and Silas went golfing to finalize theterms of the deal, and as I stroll around the estate in my dress and hat, Imiss him.

Over the last two days, he’s been doingeverything he can to be focused and engaged. But I notice the abrupt tightnessof his jaw and the unmistakable faraway look in his eyes. It’s been six yearssince Ezra’s death, and I know Rome’s the last place Silas wants to be.

Soon enough, he’ll be back in Rome—the placethat holds his most painful memories. I intend to do what I couldn’t all thoseyears ago, and that’s make this easier for him.

If helets me.

When he returns from golfing with Kane, I takea deep breath, gripping his arm as we walk around. Kane goes to find Tamara,muttering something about how he hates being away from her for too long.

“Did the talk go well?”

Silas nods. “I got it.”

“You did?” I beam.

“I did, darling.” He pulls me close and kissesme. “I got what I wanted.”

We stay in each other’s arms for a littlelonger before I pull away. “I have a surprise for you.”

I lead him to the clearing he led me all thoseweeks ago in London. And just like him? I have a plane waiting. The shadowsmake the small plane I rented almost glow under the faint light. Caleb standsby, shuffling from foot to foot, giving me a quick grin as I pull Silas towardit.

“Leah,” Silas says, his voice low and slightlyconfused. “What’s going on?”

I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile.“Just trust me. You took me flying—let me take you on one for a change.”

He raises a skeptical eyebrow, his eyessoftening as they search mine. “And you’re sure about this? I remember someonehaving a little fear of flying.”

I laugh, though my heart is pounding. “Thanksto you, I’m over that. Besides, it’s my turn to surprise you for once.”

“At least you’re not the one flying it,” heteases, and I punch him jokingly. “You’re in on this too, Caleb?”

He shrugs. “Of course I am. What would youguys do without me?”

“The kid’s right.” I nod.

We board, and as the plane lifts off, I feelthe weight of the upcoming moment settling in. Silas is relaxed at first,leaning back, his arm draped around Caleb, who’s scrolling through some videoon his phone. I steal a glance at Silas every few minutes, mentally rehearsinghow I will reveal everything.

This hasto go perfectly.

As we descend in two hours, the Roman skylineglimmers in the distance, and Silas’s expression shifts. His eyes darken, andthe set of his jaw hardens. I reach for his hand, threading my fingers throughhis.

“Silas,” I murmur, “just trust me.”

We land just as the sun dips below thehorizon, casting a soft glow over the tarmac. The warmth of the Roman air wrapsaround us as we step off the plane, and I can see Silas’s guard going up again,his brows knitting together.

“Leah,” he says, his voice a low rumble,almost a warning. “Why are we here? I don’t wanna—”

I squeeze his hand, offering him a gentlesmile. “You’ll see soon enough.”

The car waiting for us pulls up, and Caleb andI exchange a look. Silas’s fingers twitch in my grip as we drive, and I don’tlet go. Not once. He doesn’t push me for answers, but his radiating tensionfills our silence. The night air smells faintly of jasmine as we finally stopnear the museum where Ezra’s life had ended.

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