Page 49 of Deception

There’s more to that than he’s telling me. He wants to keep her here for a reason.

And not just to keep me company.

“Dammit. This is dangerous. You radio me as soon as you get there, you hear me?” I’m rarely emotional, but I pull him into a hug.

Adriano claps me on the back after a squeeze. “I’ll be fine. This is nothing. Remember our visit to meet with the Bratva three years ago?”

His smile has me grinning along with him.

“We almost froze to death because Yuri left us stranded.”

“Yeah, because you insulted his mother.”

“Father, mother, who could tell? She had a beard.” I chuckle, feeling a little lighter. Adriano will be fine. He’s tough, and Vincenzo is an expert at navigating the mountains in snow. “You get ready. I’ll go tell them the news.”

“More like give them the order. You know Carla isn’t going to want to leave.”

“That’s why I’m going to go tell Vincenzo and Ava, and let them force her hand.”

“Ah, ever the diplomat, Don Alessandro.”

After delivering the order to my staff, I head back upstairs to see Adriano off, help in any way I can. The next hour is a hustle of quick packing, checking the truck, and helping Vincenzo get it out of the garage, clearing a path to the road before pulling it back in to load everything up.

By the time we get everything set, Isabella has joined us, standing in the doorway to the house, a confused look on her face.

“Where are they going?” she asks as I pull down my gator and goggles. Worry hides behind her neutral expression.

“I should have sent them away sooner. We need to get the staff home before it gets worse. Otherwise, we’ll have to start rationing with five of us here.” I try to sound light, jovial.

She’s not buying it.

“Did something happen?”

“Adriano needs to get back to town, as well. Let my company know everything is fine, check for news, you know.”

“Right. Leaving you and I … ?”

Oh. Shit.

The realization hits me that I didn’t explain any of this to her or ask her what she wants to do. A normal host would offer to get her out of here, too.

“Did you want to?—”

“No. Not a chance,” she answers too fast.

“I apologize, I just assumed with your car here and all?—”

“Exactly. I’m fine waiting it out. Honestly, I’d rather stay here than being stuck alone in my hotel room for days.”

“Oh. Good.” I expected more of a fight, or some pushback. Odd.

“Food’s better here, too,” she deflects, smiling and turning back into the house. “I’m going to say goodbye to Carla and Ava. Shut the door, it’s freezing!”

She’s right. Even bundled up in arctic gear, the cold is leeching away my body heat.

Adriano steps out of the truck, checking through his things one last time. “Stay near the radio for me. I’ll call as soon as we make it back.”

“I will. Don’t freeze to death out there.”

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