Page 51 of Deception

No sooner does she offer consolation than I hear static from my office, the radio warbling.

“Hello? Adriano?” I grip the receiver.

“zzz-Alessandro! We made it.-zzz”

“Thank goodness.”

“zzz-Yeah, we made it, but it’s a mess out there.-zzz-I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere for a while.-zzz-Staying at Vincenzo’s.-zzz”

“Don’t worry about it. Radio me tomorrow, once you’ve had a rest andchecked the post, alright?”

“zzz-Good, will do. You have plenty of food and gas for the generator if need be.-zzz”

“Thanks, Nonna, we’ll be fine.”

“zzz-You do remember how to turn the thing on, right?-zzz”

“I’ll figure it out, smartass. Goodnight. Over and out.”

“zzz-Goodnight, Aless. Over and out.-zzz”

I sit back in my chair, looking up to see Isabella standing in the doorway to my office. She looks around, appraising my little sanctum.

“Any chance that thing can call Rome? I was going to let my boss know I was okay.” She holds up her cell phone uselessly.

“Not so much. Landline isn’t working either right now. Must have knocked down the line.”

“Looks like we're extra stranded,” she muses, biting her lip nervously.

“Seems that way.”

We stay that way for a minute, staring at each other.

Being truly alone with her sends a thrill through me. It also makes my mouth go a little dry. “Wine?”

“Definitely.” She leads the way to the kitchen. “And food.”

“I’ll get something started?—”

“Why don’t we do it together?” she counters.

“Deal.”

Fortunately, the fridge is full of leftovers and prepped food, dishes Carla was getting ready for the evening, for breakfast. As confident as I am in my ability to cook, the discovery is a relief.

Setting the spread out on the counter, Isabella sidles up close to me, our hips brushing.

It’s quiet, the hiss of the wind the only real sound other than the clatter of knives and plates.

“You know, we may be stranded for days.”

“Just the two of us.”

“Just the two of us.”

I see her pulse quicken, beating in the line of her neck as she gazes up at me.

My own heart is pounding out of control.

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