Page 47 of Hired By the Consigliere

I took a deep breath and plastered a fake smile on my face before walking in. "Ludovic, it's so good to see you. I'm sorry I'm late."

"There's a first time for everything I suppose. I'm guessing that beautiful fiancée of yours had something to do with your tardiness." He chuckled and I forced myself not to react we shook hands and took our seats.

"You caught me." I laughed and hoped it was convincing enough since in a very real way, it was true. While I'd spent time looking through Gemma's pictures, Aurora's hurt expression was the one I couldn't get out of my mind.

"Ah, to be young and in love."

"Indeed. So, I know you are a busy man. I don't want to keep you long, I was just hoping that I might touch base with you about my nomination."

"I have been reviewing your work and your company and I must say I'm impressed but truly there is only so much one can ascertain on paper."

"I completely agree."

"We should get together outside of the office. At your club, perhaps? My wife has been dying to go and it would be a good time to get the ladies together as well."

My stomach sank but I fought to remain stoic. "That sounds fantastic. "

"Wonderful. We will be attending your engagement party this weekend, of course, but maybe sometime the following week? Would Wednesday evening work for you or do you need to run it by the future misses first?"

"I should probably check in with her. Just to make sure she doesn't have a previous engagement."

"Smart man. You're learning early," he teased and let out a boisterous laugh.

"Can I get back to you tomorrow with an answer?"

"Of course. I look forward to hearing from you."

"Perfect. And while I've got you here, I was hoping to discuss a couple of pressing policies with you."

"Only if it's over coffee."

"Of course. It appears in my running late I've left my manners at home. I'll have Claudia get us coffee right away."

"Grazie."

After my meeting with Ludovic, I took care of a couple of other business calls, dreading the moment my schedule cleared enough that I could call Aurora. I wasn't sure what was going on or where we stood. I hadn't spoken with her since she’d left my apartment Saturday night.

That next weekend was supposed to be our engagement party. If she was backing out of our deal, I needed to know sooner rather than later so that I could come up with a plan that could salvage my deal with Ludovic. It was more than that, though. If I was truly honest with myself, I missed her.

I wasn't sure if she would be back from lunch so I dialed her cell and waited as it rang. I’d all but given up and was already pulling the phone from my ear when her voice came over the line, sounding harsh and cold.

"Ciao?"

"Aurora, you answered."

"Yes. I answered." Her words were short and business like but with an icy sting.

"I'm not sure what’s going on or where we stand but Ludovic just called to see if you and I could join him and his wife at my club next Wednesday. I told him I’d have to talk to you about it, but in all honesty, I don't even know if you're still planning to attend the engagement party."

"Of course, I am. And I'll go to your club on Wednesday as well. I can meet you there."

"Really? You will still come?"

"Yes, I will still come. It's my job. I signed a contract. I made a commitment. And I will follow through with that, then, after that I want nothing to do with you." The sound of her voice and her words were like icy shards stabbing into my heart.

Aurora had every reason to be angry with me, but the truth was, I’d begun to develop feelings for her. But she wanted to play it cold and maybe it was instinct after being hurt so badly after losing Gemma, or maybe it was my fragile male ego, but the pain caused my walls to go back up and my voice came out through clenched teeth.

“Good. I'm happy to hear that you will be a professional about this. And to add to that professionalism, it would appear best if we rode together for appearances sake.”

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