Page 58 of The Tenor's Shadow

“Thank you, cara,” Anthony said. “I didn’t know how to handle that. Will she give you trouble?”

“Not a chance,” Gabriela answered. “I’ve dealt with her before. She’s always been that way. She thinks she knows what’s best for everyone, even strangers, and she likes to throw her political weight around.”

“I’m not sure why she would care.”

“She doesn’t, not really. It’s part of her evening’s entertainment. Luckily, she’s a bit of a coward, and she knows she can’t do anything to me.”

Anthony was about to make another comment when he realized Freddie hadn’t said a word. He turned to his handsome mate.

“Freddie?”

“She’s right. You are smarter than me. I’m not good with people.”

“That’s just not true. You’re smart, and you’re good with the people that matter. You’re good with me.”

Freddie shook his head. “You deserve better.”

“The hell I do.” Anthony looked up at Freddie, taking his face in his hands. “You are what I want. I can be shallow enough for the both of us. Who cares what some wealthy fossil says?”

Freddie didn’t say anything. His jaw clenched and his lips pressed together tightly. Anthony did his best to project how much he cared for Freddie through his eyes.

“You are the one that’s important to me,” Anthony said. “Don’t doubt yourself.”

“He’s right, querida.” Gabriela’s smooth voice broke the intimacy of the moment, but Anthony didn’t mind. “The more famous Antonio gets, the more people will monopolize his time. Don’t change who you are. Having a scary bodyguard boyfriend is an advantage.”

Freddie looked at Gabriela, then shrugged. Maybe hearing that from someone other than Anthony had broken through his self-judgment a little. “I guess.”

“I promise you it is true.”

“You are fantastic!” Anthony said. Gabriela was a master of these petty social games. “What are you doing after we close? You should come to New York with me.”

“They expect me here to work on La Sonnambula. God, I hate that one.”

“Whatever they’re paying you, I’ll beat it. All the big stars travel with their personal dresser, but I’ve never found anyone that I clicked with. You’re perfect.”

Gabriela thought for a moment and flashed a wide smile.

“I would love to.”

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