Page 47 of Immoral

"What's so funny, Cara?"

"How convenient for you. What's next?"

He shifts on his feet and scrubs his face. "Stop making this into something it's not."

I scoff, not breaking from his intense scowl. "Glad to see nothing has changed," I state then spin and approach the hostess stand.

When the hostess turns, I cringe inside. It's the same woman from last night.

Her eyes widen. She clears her throat. "Mrs—"

"Do whatever you want with him. I don't care. Can I have that table?" I point.

She opens her mouth, shuts it, then looks in the direction I'm pointing. "Sure."

"Great. Thanks." I stomp past her and plop down on the seat, fighting myself not to look back. I might have told her to do what she wants with him, but the last thing I want to see is either of them flirting.

And I wish I could believe it would only be her.

11

Gianni

"Mr. Marino!It's so nice to see you this morning," the hostess from last night chirps.

I groan inside and scowl, pinning my eyes on hers to make it clear when I say, "Not interested." I grab the menus from her hands, slide past her, and go to the table Cara chose. I place a menu in front of her and lean down until my lips hit her ear, warning, "The next time you want to have a temper tantrum in public, I'll make such a big scene you'll never do it again."

She tilts her head, glaring at me. "Don't threaten me."

"Stop insinuating I want anything to do with that woman," I seethe.

"Why? You're not bored with me yet?"

I slide my hand on her neck, brushing my thumb over the small bruise I left there. She inhales sharply, making my dick twitch, but I'm already tired of having to reiterate that I've changed. I know I haven't earned her trust yet, but I'm not a patient man. The last few years, I suffered without her. Since she got back to New York, I've done everything I can think of to win her back. So our timelines may not be jiving, and I understand why she can't trust me, but I'm getting close to the end of my rope. I put my mouth an inch from hers, stating, "We've been over this. I'm not addressing it for the rest of my life. Decide if you want to live in the past or the future. I can assure you the future is a better scenario for both of us."

She throws me another defiant, dirty look.

All it does is make my lips curl. I release her and sit down in the chair next to her, instead of across the table. I pick up her menu and hand it to her. "They have skillets here." I arrogantly smile. It's her favorite breakfast food. I looked at the menu online when I booked this place.

She takes the menu, and I pick up mine. I already know what I'm getting, but I count to one hundred in my head, pretending to read it, trying to calm down.

My phone call didn't help matters. Massimo informed me that Uberto is missing. All our guys are out hunting him, yet he seems to have vanished. It angers me. He's not smart enough to disappear into thin air. Jacopo Abruzzo has to be involved in this, which makes my hatred for him and desire to destroy his family more potent.

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Marino! I'm Kelsey and I'll be your server this morning. Can I start you off with coffee?" an older woman with lots of wrinkles and gray hair chirps, holding a coffeepot.

Relieved she's not someone Cara will think I want to bang, I smile and turn both our mugs over. "Yes, please."

Cara looks up and nods.

Kelsey's face lights up. "Well, aren't you beautiful!"

"Yes. She is," I agree, filling with pride.

A pink blush fills Cara's cheeks. "Thank you."

Kelsey fills our cups and states, "Our chef has a salmon eggs benedict that's to die for! Do you have any questions on the menu?"

I arch my eyebrows at my tesoro.