Page 86 of Deception

I’ll treasure these moments we shared for as long as I live.

I only hope that life includes Isabella.

19

ALESSANDRO

“Alessandro.”

Red velvet … black silk …

“Aless.”

Ivory skin, sweat soaked leather…

“Alessandro Gabriele!” Adriano’s voice rarely rises above a casual tenor. “Wake up, jackass.” He’s got one eyebrow raised, giving me what I like to call hisconsiglierelook of disdain.

I snap back to the present, shaking my head to clear away the images from last night.

“Sorry. Just tired.”

“You’ve been drifting for days. Where’d you go just now?”

I almost laugh out loud. If I told him, he’d probably call me a fool, a sucker, a lovestruck idiot. Or he’d tell Ciro and Ero and let them go nuts making fun of my fetishes. “Just thinking about something.”

“Someone, more like.”

“Stai zitta, shut your mouth.”

Adriano sighs out half a laugh, shaking his head. He looks over the itinerary on the desk for a few seconds before speaking again. “You know, it’s okay for you to care about someone.”

“I’m well aware of that.” My grating tone would suggest otherwise.

“Even if you don’t entirely trust them,” he finishes.

“You never trust anyone.” I feel my lips pull in a smile as I say it, and he gives me another flat stare. “Neither do I.”

Adriano's always been extra suspicious of anyone outside the family, and even some of the family.

Including the women I’ve brought over for one-night stands in the past.

None of them got under my skin like Isabella.

Or have me so distracted that I daydream about them when I’m supposed to be strategizing. Adriano’s right to be worried.

“It’s all booked. We’ll decide when to strike as soon as we get back to NewYork.”

“What?”

“I’ve been telling you that we’re ready to move. The men are just waiting for you.”

“Oh. Right.” I rub my temples, shaking my head. “I’m acting like a fool.”

Adriano sighs, leaning back in his chair crossing his legs. “A little. You need to make a decision. Tell her that it’s over.”

“I'm considering asking her to come with me.”

“You're kidding.” He sits up, glaring at me. “Of course you're not kidding. I should have seen this coming.”

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