Page 60 of Fortress of the King

ANGELO

I didn’t intendon going into the Gallery at all, but the temptation was all too much. I can’t go another day without seeing her.

Just as I’m leaving, I get a call from Allegra.

“Hello, stranger,” she says when I answer.

“Allegra.” I still haven’t forgotten what Rayne told me about their conversation in the coffee shop.

“Have I caught you at a bad time?”

“I’m about to go into a meeting.”

“I was wondering if we could have dinner this week before I have to fly to London.”

Allegra is always traveling. She runs a textile business that Roberto founded, and she took over when he passed away.

“I’ll have to see if I can fit it in.”

“I barely got to see you at the auction. Mario said you met somebody.”

I stiffen my jaw. “Seems you’ve met her already.”

She laughs softly. “If you’re referring to the little chat in the cafe, it was just girl talk. I’m protective of you, so I wanted to make sure she’s good enough.”

“I’m a big boy, I don’t need you looking out for me.” I know I sound harsh, but she has to learn to stay out of my affairs. I have one annoying little sister already; I don’t need another.

“Don’t be so mean, I simply want what’s best for you.”

“Did you tell her we slept together?” I already know the answer to that.

“No,” she says. “I was just trying to get information, and I’ll admit, I was being a little bit nosy. Don’t be a spoilsport.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. I know she’s just trying to help, but I don’t need her prying into my love life. “Well, stay out of it from now on. You know my life is crazy, things are always changing and I don’t need you meddling. You’re as bad as Valentina.” I try to take the sting out of my tone, but annoyance is my number one virtue.

“Fine. Sorry for caring.”

“You can care, just don’t meddle.”

A few moments of silence ensues before she asks, “So it’s serious, then?”

I don’t know why she’s prying and poking her fucking nose in all of a sudden. I’ve enough drama with my sister and ma on my hands without her adding to my stress.

“I didn’t say that.”

“Are you sleeping together?”

“Allegra.”

“What? I’m not meddling, I just want to know how serious it is. We should get together and have a double date if she’s going to be part of the family...”

The words ‘double date’ have no meaning at all in my vocabulary. None whatsoever.

“I’ll have my assistant text you my schedule, if I can fit you in for dinner then it’ll have to be before the Gala.”

There’s another long pause, and I know she won’t be happy about the ‘fitting her in’ comment. Allegra has always been a very strong, very capable woman who knows what she wants. And I know she’s interrogating me. For what reason, I don’t know, but I doubt it is out of genuine concern for my welfare and more like good old nosiness.

“I’ll be leaving right after it, so that’s perfect timing, actually.”

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