Page 16 of Hot-Blooded Killer

But she’s about to find out.

CHAPTER7

GIA

The next night, Lorenzo picks me up at exactly eight o'clock. Bruno joins Lorenzo’s driver in the front seat of the armored town car while Lorenzo ushers me into the back seat.

I realize I haven’t discussed what we are going to do about guards. I suspect he won’t want Rossi family retainers in his household, but there’s no way Pop will agree to send me off with Lorenzo without my own guards.

Definitely something to bring up soon.

We walk into La Sérénade, the latest haute cuisine dining experience in the casino owned by the DeSantis family.

I’ve been here several times with Elio, and I’m glad to see that neither he nor his brothers are in evidence tonight.

The maître d’ greets me by name, and Lorenzo shoots a raised eyebrow in my direction.

I ignore it, simply saying hello to Matt. Elio always refers to him as Matt the maître d’, and I grin a little at the memory.

Still, I’m surprised how little I miss Elio.

Lorenzo and I are seated at a small table for two, and he leans across the table to take my hand. “You ready to put on a show for everyone?”

He flashes his most charming smile, and I can’t help but smile back. “Sure. I have some things I want to discuss, anyway.”

“Perfect. We can sit here looking like we’re whispering sweet nothings to each other.”

I nod and lean in closer, fluttering my lashes and lowering my voice. “Okay, then. First of all, we didn’t discuss bodyguards.” I tilt a glance toward Gino. “My father has a contingent on my apartment around the clock. I’m sure he expects to send them with me when I move into your house.”

Lorenzo’s expression clouds. “Max isn’t going to like that.”

This time, I’m the one who raises an eyebrow. “What’s your opinion?”

He chuckles and glances down at our fingers twined together on the table. “It’s fine with me. You can staff the entire house with Rossi men, as far as I’m concerned.”

My eyes narrow. “You really that confident in your guys?”

“I am. Our men won’t betray us to anyone.”

I understand his stance. After all, our men are deeply loyal to us, as well. “Okay, then. I’ll bring three guards who can each do an eight-hour shift, plus two others for the weekends.”

“Excellent. What else?”

This next one is going to be harder, I know. And more embarrassing. A burning flush crawls up my cheeks.

But there’s no way to deal with it except to dive right in.

“We already agreed on a wedding night consummation.”

Lorenzo nods, his green gaze boring into me.

“I want to clarify that there will be no sex for that. It’s a wedding night consummation—and that will be our first time.”

Something sparks deep in Lorenzo’s eyes, and he lets out a laugh, leaning back in his chair. Letting go of my hands, he taps the table. “Works for me, Principessa.”

His use of Pop’s nickname for me spins through me, leaving me feeling a little off-balance.

“Anything else?” Lorenzo asks.

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