Page 5 of Forbidden Arrangement

CHAPTER2

The wind caressed my neck as I walked down a side street on my hot red Ducati Panigale V4 R.A yellow cab honked at me as I zipped past him toward the bar.I loved riding my bike, even in New York City.I stopped outside the Tied Hog Bar and parked next to a Harley.I grinned as I got off the cool metal and took my helmet off, running my hands through my short, dark hair.I checked out my reflection in the window as I made my way inside.Stefano had convinced me to wear a blue dress shirt to bring out the blue in my eyes and tight black jeans.He said women were attracted to men who looked like bad boys, so I had to dress like one, which I thought was moronic.All of us Valenti men were bad boys.It didn’t matter what we wore.

I pushed the door open with my left hand and adjusted my helmet under my armpit as I looked around for Valentina Ford.Hamilton hadn’t given me a photo.He’d said if I were a detective worth my salt, I’d figure out which woman she was.The bar was loud and full of young professionals who were busy trying to out-impress each other.Pop music was playing through the speakers, and I decided to grab a drink before I got to work.I passed a group of guys and felt a hand on my shoulder.I turned around in surprise.

“Can I help you?”A pretty brunette with hazel eyes and long hair grinned at me and then back at her group of friends, who were all cheering her on.

“Hey, Danny,” she said, reaching up to hug me.

“Sorry, I think you’re confused.”I shook my head as I took in her face.She really was quite beautiful.

“Oh, Danny, I’ve missed you so.”With a giggle, she wrapped her arms around my neck and leaned in to give me a long, warm, tender kiss.Her eyes were sparkling as she pulled back.

“Um …” I stared at her, wondering what the hell had just happened.

“Sorry.”She winked at me.“That was a dare.”She pointed back toward her friends.“Lindsay over there is getting married, and tonight is her bachelorette party.”

“Oh, no worries,” I said, understanding now what was going on.“You have a nice night, ma’am.”

“You too, Danny.”She blew me a kiss and then turned around and walked over to her gaggle of giggling friends.I smiled as I made my way back toward the bar.My lips were still tingling from the kiss.That had been a nice way to start the night.The girl had been pretty and almost captivating.But I couldn’t think about her.I needed to concentrate on meeting Valentina, wherever she was.

“Hey.”I approached a bored-looking man standing behind the bar, idly cleaning a glass.

“How can I help you?”His eyes looked glazed, and I was pretty sure he was high.

“Can I get a Corona?”I tapped my fingers against the wooden bar top and looked around.“I’m waiting on a blind date.”

“You and half the crowd.”He grabbed a bottle from the fridge.

“Oh, is this a pickup spot?”

“I guess.”He shrugged as he handed me the bottle.“That’ll be eighteen dollars.”

“What?”My jaw dropped.“For a Corona?”

“Welcome to Williamsburg.”

I rolled my eyes and pulled out a twenty.“I don’t suppose you know Valentina?”

“Nope.”He shook his head.“I know Valentino, though.”

“Valentino?”

“The designer.”He rolled his eyes and looked me up and down.I could tell he was sizing me up and finding me lacking.

“Never heard of him.”

“Surprising.”He took the twenty, and I watched him put it in the register, take out a five-dollar bill, and put it into his pocket.Hmm.I debated saying something but then changed my mind.I didn’t know if he was ripping his boss or me off, and frankly, at this moment, I didn’t care.I leaned back against the bar and looked around.My phone beeped, and I grabbed it from my pocket.

Stefano: You found your new wifey yet?

I rolled my eyes as I stared at Stefano’s message.Sometimes, he was an asshole.

Sam: You get your ass beat yet?

Stefano: Dad wants you to know that we’re all expected for Sunday dinner with his new main squeeze.

Sam: ARGH.Do I have to go?

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