Page 104 of Dangerous Contract: Part 2

"There's no reason to apologize," he spoke up. "And please, call me Frederico."

Forget calling him Frederico. What she really wanted to do was call a ride to get her away from there. Monique reached for her purse, which was on the seat next to her. Now was the perfect time to call Meka and have them come back for her.

"Who is he?" Frederico asked. "And how long have you two been together? No, the better question is, how long have you two been apart?"

He was reading her like she was an open book.

"There isn't anyone," Monique lied, retrieving her phone from her purse.

Frederico chuckled. "There's definitely someone, la mia Belleza."

Monique paused, phone in her hand. Raz had said those exact words to her the last time he made love to her and promised never to leave her.La mia Belleza.

"It means..." Frederico started.

"My beauty," Monique finished for him.

"Very good," he complimented, seeming impressed. "You know a little Italian?"

Monique shook her head.

"Ahh..." A knowing grin appeared on his face. "Someone has said those words to you before."

"Do Italian men toss around words like that often?" Monique asked, feeling unnecessarily irritated.

"Boys do," Mr. Miconi told her, the grin leaving his face. "Men only use those words when they mean it."

"And I take it you mean it?" Monique asked, returning her phone to her purse.

Mr. Miconi clasped his hands together on the table. "I take it you don't think I mean it."

"It's hard to tell what's truly going on in the minds and hearts of mankind."

Mr. Miconi smiled, but it wasn't a charming smile this time. It was a genuine one.

"That is true, Ms. Rose. Some say the eyes are the gateway to the soul. But even the eyes can lie if the soul is corrupt."

"Are your eyes lying, Frederico Miconi?" Monique asked, curious.

Mr. Miconi hesitated briefly before saying, "Not entirely. Youarevery beautiful, Monique Rose."

"But..." she prompted, eager for him to continue.What lies are you telling me, Mr. Miconi?

"You're also very perceptive. You're right. There is a but."

"Let's hear it," Monique told him as she leaned back in her seat and folded her arms over her chest.

Mr. Miconi leaned forward, eyes peering into hers. She held his gaze, refusing to look away or be unnerved by the intensity of his dark eyes. A few seconds ticked by, with neither of them speaking or averting their gaze.

"Let's play a game to get to know each other better," he said.

"Are you changing the subject?"

"Not at all. I'm just making the subject more interesting. Would you like to play a game with me, Monique?"

Against her better judgment, she found herself nodding her head. She had time for a game.

"Good. I'll tell you something I like in a woman, and then you'll tell me something you like in a man. Deal?"

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