Page 41 of Heart of Stone

“What about that chic? You know, the one with the black hair,” she reminded me subtly, attempting to disguise her obvious concern by needlessly rearranging the groceries on the counter.

“Oh, that was just his sister,” I said with a dismissive wave. Allyson stopped her pointless organization and narrowed her eyes doubtfully at me.

Oh, Ally! Don’t make me explain it in front of your boyfriend!

I threw her a warning look, slightly shaking my head back and forth, just hoping that she’d leave it alone for now. Before she could remark, Jeremy chimed into the conversation, effectively saving me from one hell of a complicated explanation.

“Wait a minute – you’re going out withtheAlexander Stone? As in ‘Stone Arena’ Alexander Stone?” He was looking back and forth between Allyson and me with a look of total disbelief on his face.

“What’s Stone Arena?” Allyson asked, looking to me. I shrugged and looked to Jeremy, waiting for him to elaborate.

Jeremy threw his hands up in exasperation.

“Stone Arena is only the first Major League Soccer complex to hit New York!” He muttered something about women and sports, but I didn’t quite catch it. “Stone’s been pushing for this for years. It was finally just approved and he earned the naming rights.”

Was everything in this city named after him?

“Yep, sounds like the same Alexander,” I said. Thankful that Jeremy had distracted Allyson from her questioning, I walked towards the front door, hoping that I could just slip out. “I don’t really know much about soccer. However, I do know that my ride is probably here.”

“Wait! Where are you going to eat? And are you taking a cab?” Allyson asked, quickly remembering her interrogation.

“I don’t know where we’re going,mom. He didn’t tell me,” I said sarcastically, pausing by the door. “And, no – I’m not taking a cab. Alexander sent a car for me.”

“A car? Now that’s impressive,” she said, her voice awestricken, completely ignoring the derisive comment that I threw at her. “Promise me that we’ll talk later? I want a full report.”

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry. You’ll get the specifics. Oh, and I shouldn’t be out too late,” I added and raised an eyebrow at Allyson to make sure she caught the silent meaning behind my words. Telling her that I would be home early was code from our college days – I didn’t want to come home to find her bare-assed on the couch with Jeremy.

“Gotcha,” she said with a knowing wink. “We’re probably going to catch a movie later, so I might not be here when you get back.”

“No problem. You guys have a good night.”

“You too. Have fun and be careful,” she warned, worry lines spreading over her face.

“I always am. Bye!” I yelled over my shoulder and closed the door behind me.

CHAPTER 12

When I exited my apartment complex, Alexander’s driver stood waiting for me outside of a black Porsche Cayenne. I approached him and I attempted to introduce myself, but he just gave me a curt nod as a way of greeting and motioned for me to get inside the awaiting car.

He was sort of intimidating in an ex-military kind of way, and didn’t strike me as much of a talker. He wore a fancy earpiece on his ear that reminded me of the Secret Service and I was afraid to even talk, much less ask him where we were going.

So instead, I sat in silence while we weaved in and out of the New York City traffic, having no idea where he was taking me.

When we arrived at our destination, the driver still didn’t speak, but merely opened the door of the car for me. I stepped out onto the pavement and he walked me towards the entrance of a no-named building. I might have been worried about the nondescript place, but I saw lights on in the windows and a polished bar that gleamed under muted lighting. For some reason, I found these little signs of life comforting.

The front door of the building opened suddenly, and a stocky man with curly dark hair stepped out.

“Ah, finally! You are here! Come in, come in please!” the man said with a slight Italian accent. His hands were waving in the air, motioning for me to get inside. His gestures seemed panicked almost, yet he wore a friendly smile on his handsome face. I could only raise my eyebrows in surprise at his overexcited presence. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of him.

I looked behind me, but the silent driver had disappeared back inside the SUV, leaving me little choice but to follow the animated Italian through the front doors.

“My name is Matteo Donati. I will be serving you tonight,” he called over his shoulder, walking briskly ahead of me. He was moving quickly and I struggled to keep up with him, barely managing to stay vertical in my strappy little four-inch heels. I was already beginning to regret the risk that I took by wearing them.

“Hi, Matteo. I’m Krys– .”

“Hurry along. Mr. Stone is waiting,” he said, completely cutting me off.

Heaven forbid we keep Stone waiting.

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