Page 52 of Forging Caine

She scratched my word out and jotted underneath it,He knows I’m not clueless.

It was a calculated risk, but likely the right one. Every time she pretended not to know anything, he’d scoffed at it.

“That’s of no use. I bought it ten years ago and can barely even remember who I purchased it from.”

Poor provenance library?I wrote, eliciting a nod from Samantha. “I feel bad having to break this news to you. It’s rare but happens occasionally.”

“Did you tell anyone you took this job for me?”

Samantha grinned, like she knew what was coming next. The truth.

“You asked me not to.”

He hummed in question. “That doesn’t actually answer the question.”

“Pasquale, I’m bound by a code of ethics, which includes working in the best interest of my client and the artwork. If it was particularly complex, I might have discussed it with my father, but it was not.”

“In that case, I have another job for you.”

Samantha added another checkmark to her sheet.

“I have a painting I’m intending to sell. The sale is proving difficult as the provenance is… somewhat murky. I’d like for you to authenticate it.”

Samantha shook her fists, exaggerating her excitement, as though I could have missed the twinkle in her eyes or the way she practically danced from one foot to the other.

“If I have it delivered to you, could I be assured of your discretion? No discussions with anyone. Other than Ms. Caine, of course. I wouldn’t expect the two of you to separate for this job.”

“I can look at it,” I said, not wanting to, but recognizing it was the right choice. “Depending on how much work is required, it may have to wait until we get back from our vacation. And I may need to take it to the Ferraro’s office.”

“I understand, so long as you only take it to the office after hours. Again, discretion is required—I’m sure you’re accustomed to that?” He must have been referring to my prior work for my uncle. How much had Vincenzo learned?

“Sì, and what aboutThe Music Lesson?”

“Give me your address. One of my men will deliver the new painting and bring the other home, so we can burn that piece of trash. I’m not hanging a fake on my walls.”

Samantha wrote,Here?

My gaze rose to meet hers. I didn’t want one of his men here. Didn’t want them to know where we lived or to be inside our walls. This was too dangerous. This was a step beyond what I was willing to do. Fiori was still controlling the exchange. He knew what Samantha did. He intimated he knew about my work with my uncle.

He knew too much.

Enough of this silly game. “Prior to Friday, the last time I saw one of your bodyguards, he tried to kill me. I’m not interested in anyone from your organization coming to my home. I don’t mind doing the work. It will cost you, but I’ll do it.”

Samantha’s eyes widened and she mouthed,What are you doing?

Perhaps some of it was my temper peeking through or my desire to keep my fiancée safe. But I was not playing the fool in front of this man.

“I was wondering how long you’d continue this dance.” Fiori chuckled and I could have thrown my phone against the wall. “I like you, Antonio. We have a great deal in common, you know?”

Samantha frowned and folded her arms, continuing to telegraph very clear emotions to me.

“You flatter me, Pasquale.”

“I tell you what—I can send a familiar face, if that would make you feel better?”

Samantha practically dropped her pencil before scrawling,NO!

Red, hot rage bubbled in my stomach. “If you mean Vincenzo, you can cancel the entire deal. I will not have him anywhere near my woman.”

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