Page 39 of Deception

“It’s not too hard. Although, I’ve never lost a game. No one has ever beaten me.”

“We’ll see about that. I always liked a good mystery.”

An hour later I'm pulling out my hair, slamming my fists on the table. “You've gotta be fucking kidding me. How do youdothat?”

“It's simple deduction, my dear Watson.” Isabella strokes an imaginary mustache. “You have to put the clues together and take a guess.”

“No shit. Every time I’m about to, you beat me to it!” I’m imagining the razzing Ciro would give me if he saw me losing a board game. Hell, he’d give me shit for playing one at all.

“Don’t be a sore loser.”

“Says the woman who wins every goddamn round.”

“Shall we play again?”

“I think not. Another loss and I’ll throw the whole damn board out into the snow.” I lean back onto my hands as she packs up the game. “What now?”

“You’re not sick of me yet?”

Not even a little. I don’t want this to end, not that I’d tell her that.

“How about a movie?”

“I was thinking about that earlier. That theater room is ridiculous.”

Crossing the foyer toward the stairs we both pause when the east wing door opens, Adriano stepping out and stopping as he spots us. He looks at me, then Isabella, then back at me.

“What?”

One eyebrow cocks upward, his expression vacant.

Isabella widens her eyes at me and heads down the stairs with a nod to Adriano.

“Don’t give me that look,” I snap.

“What look?” Adriano schools his smile.

“The judgy one. She’s our guest.”

“What’s to judge? You can spend as much time with our guest as you want.”

“Against better judgment, right?”

“I clearly have no say in the matter,” he sniffs, turning to go back to his room.

“Wait, what have you been up to? I haven’t seen you in two days.”

“Just in my room. Keeping busy.”

“You're just in there jerking off to porn.”

“Oh, shut the fuck up. It's not like I want to be out here playing a third wheel.”

“She's actually very charming. You might like chatting with her.”

“I'll take your word for it. Just be careful Alessandro.”

“Careful? I’m always careful.”

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