Page 63 of Cruel Longing

“Just go.”

Ciro paused as if he was going to say something before he left, but decided not to. I was happy for his silence.

As soon as I was alone, I circled my desk. I cut open the end flap of the envelope. A small box fell onto my desk. The small cube was tied with a velvet ribbon. I held my breath as I flipped open the lid. There was a note folded on top.

You left this behind. I thought it was time to wear it again.

I lifted the necklace from the cushion. He had kept it. I had been too afraid to ask him after the way I had stormed out of the suite. The diamonds sparkled as the pendant spun in the sunlight. I thought of all the days I had worn it. How careful I had been with it. How close it had made me feel to Luka when I had nothing else to hold on to. I fastened it against my neck, feeling the coolness of the engraved side brush just below my throat. The twinge of guilt I had for leaving it behind eased slightly. I wouldn’t leave it again. I’d keep it this time.

I blinked when I looked at the box. There was something poking out from the lining. I lifted the edge. It was a key. I flipped thenote over in case I had missed Luka’s explanation for the key, but there wasn’t anything on the other side.

Before I could pick up my phone to text him, it beeped. I saw his name on the screen. I reached for it, reading his message.

Ready for your surprise?

I scowled.

Don’t you know I don’t like surprises?

I could almost hear his laugh at my response. That beautiful rich laugh that stirred something in my belly I couldn’t describe adequately.

Too bad.

I smiled at his answer.

The tiny dots flashed on the screen. I stared at the address that popped up in the text bubble. Where in the hell was that?

I waited for the next message.

Are you already in the car?

I laughed.

You think I can drop everything right now?

I know you will.

I blushed. The words shot a thrill through my body. How did he do that? I didn’t have time to shoot back something biting and sexy. Luka was waiting, and I had to change out of this dress quickly. I kept a couple of spare suits in the adjoining walk-in closet to my office. I chose a pale blue two-piece skirt with a short skirt. I discarded the dress stained with blood in the hamper. I closed the door behind me.

I held the key in my hand would let me into Luka’s destination. I tugged my bag over my shoulder and strolled out of the office.

“Ms. Amato, should I tell Ciro you’re headed out?”

I paused in front of the young assistant’s desk. She had a notepad and pen in her hand.

“No, don’t do that. I’ll be back later this afternoon. Besides, he’s going to be out of town for a few days.” Ciro was probably already interrogating someone about Luka’s past. I’d rather leave him behind than have him tag along on the scavenger hunt. “He knows how to get in touch with me.” I walked briskly past the girl. I spun on my stilettos. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember your name.” I glanced at her. She wasn’t that much younger than me. All my new hires were business school graduates. She had to be at least twenty-two and twice today I had treated her like a fourteen-year old babysitter.

“It’s Val.” She grinned.

“Val? Hmm.” I used to do a better job of remembering the names of everyone on the staff. I had let other things distract me lately. “Thank you, Val. When did you start here?”

“Two months ago, Ms. Amato.”

I pressed my lips together. “Maybe we could have coffee sometime. You can tell me what your goals are with the company.”

“Really?” Her eyes widened to the size of saucers.

“Yes. I think it would be a good idea. Let’s try to schedule that tomorrow.”

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