Page 43 of The Veil

“Oh, were you wanting more details?”

“I'm dressed in interview clothes,” I noted, gesturing to my outfit, “not dinner clothes.”

The corner of his lips hinted a hidden smile. “Would you be more comfortable if I let you go home and change first?” he offered.

Tucking my bottom lip between my teeth, I squinted, scared to sayyes. His gaze targeted my lips. He slowly peeled away, focusing his attention on my eyes. Picking up the phone in the car, he told his driver to stop by my apartment.

The driver circled the block, arriving in front of my building. As we stepped out of the car, I turned to Joseph who had gotten out of the car behind us, striding to where we stood. He pulled a cigarette out of his front jacket pocket, lighting it then taking a long drag. Comfortably, he leaned against the limo. It was clear that he had no intent to follow us into the building.

My eyes widened. Placing my hands on my hips, I hissed, “Are you not coming up?”

“Oh right, sorry,” he muttered, snuffing out his cigarette in the ashtray outside the building.

I was so unsure why he seemed so relaxed around Valentino. To say that it was odd would have been an understatement. I would have to remember to speak to him about it later. We waltzed through the door as the doorman held it open.

“Mr. Greco,” he greeted Valentino, who only nodded.

We stepped off the elevator into the large foyer of Isabelle’s apartment. I finally got to see what my design team and movers had done with the penthouse. Magnificent, was the only way to describe it. Their skill set, along with design ideas matched the appearance I wanted it to have. Isabelle quickly glided upstairs to change. A few moments after she disappeared, one of my phones vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, reading texts from her.

Hey just wanted to check in with you.

He's here at my apartment but I am behaving. ;)

I swear.

I snickered to myself then smiled as I began to conjure up a sarcastic text but decided it was best not to be a jerk. Instead I was nice.

I miss you, just a few more days until I can see you. Xo

I smiled once more before sliding the phone back into my pocket, just in time to see her emerge from upstairs. My mouth fell open in awe as I stood up from the couch, absorbing in the breathtaking view of the most extraordinary woman. I was speechless.

As she slowly descended from the staircase, it took everything in me not to grab her, making love to her on the sofa. I was ready to blow my cover and just tell her everything in hopes that she would be with me.

The sad reality was that I could never be with this woman. I never played by the rules, but this was a contract between her father and me. If I messed up, her life would be in grave danger. I was already playing an extremely dangerous game that could very well result in her heart being broken. I could not think of a scenario in which Isabelle and I could ever be together, but I felt myself wanting it more every day.

In this version of me, I was candidly me; well, as true as I could be. I only allowed the public to experience but so much of me. The other version of myself was the version I kept hidden from the public; the dangerous one. That was the one where you should always sleep with one eye open if I was angry with you.

In both versions, I could never see us being together. It did not matter if it was the contract she and I had or the one I made with her father. I could never fully open up to her or be myself with her. I did not know what the hell I was thinking. Now I was stuck, possibly losing at my own game. I had to walk away, or I had to do this one hundred percent. Tonight, a decision would be made.

We returned to the car. I texted a few people making sure everything for the night was ready to go. I placed my arm around her, pulling her close. She instinctively slid over, leaning against my side. She tilted her face, peering up at me.

“Are you still not going to tell me where we're going?”

I bit my bottom lip while smiling, shaking my head. I stared out the window to keep from breaking my composure. She was slowly penetrating my soul. I was not sure I liked it as I felt like a prisoner in my own mind. Taking her hand in mine, I held on to her.

She looked down at my knuckles, gasping, “What happened?”

“A little boxing incident,” I growled, before smiling.

She glared at me with a crooked smile that told me she knew I was full of shit, but she did not push for answers. The car came to a stop just by the Hudson River on a private pier. She sat up straighter, searching around with a perplexed expression. The driver opened my door and I stepped out, reaching my hand back into the car for Isabelle.

“Come with me,” I instructed.

Taking my hand with a half-smile, she exited the car. We strolled down the short pier, hand in hand, boarding my yacht. She glanced around suspiciously before turning to me with wide eyes, letting go of my grip.

“You're not going to kill me, are you?” she gulped nervously.

I smirked without saying a word. Taking her hand in mine once again, I helped her onto the yacht, guiding her to the other side by a railing. I twirled her so that she was facing toward the water then snaked my arms around her waist as I pulled her against my body.

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