Page 48 of Hired By the Consigliere

She let out an aggravated sigh. “Fine. What time should I be ready?”

“Our plans for Saturday will go on as we already arranged. As for our double date to my club, I will pick you up Wednesday at seven. You should wear a cocktail dress. I will have one sent over to you.”

“I can dress myself,” she snapped.

“You can. But as your employer it is my prerogative to choose your uniform for the evening.”

“Whatever you say,sir.” There was a bite to her voice, and it dripped with sarcasm, but I smiled knowing that I would get to see her again, no matter what the circumstances were.

Chapter 20

Aurora

Part of me was surprised that Enzo called to arrange another date, but I suppose with Ludovic so close to endorsing him for the council, he was desperate. Before he called, I had told myself that I would remain professional and go about things the best way that I could while guarding my heart. I could be his employee and let him be my employer for the remainder of the month until our charade was finally over.

I would make a lot of money then walk away. It would be a life-changing amount of money, I reminded myself. I just had to make it through a few more events. First, my engagement party, then the trip to the club. We'd planned a low-key week before ending things so that people wouldn't have just seen us together before the breakup.

After doing my hair and makeup I slipped on the dress I'd bought on my outing with the girls. I put on my heels and tucked the last stray strand of hair into place with a few tendrils falling down around my face. It was still fifteen minutes before he would arrive, so I poured myself a glass of wine to calm my nerves.

Ten minutes later, Franco was at my door. “Ciao? Where's Enzo?”

“Signore Morelli is waiting in the car.”

“Why is he in the car? He usually comes to the door himself.” I was curious and suspicious by the sudden change in routine.

Franco looked uncomfortable and shifted from one foot to the other. “He said that this is how he would treat any other employee.”

I blinked once in surprise.So that’s how he wants to play it.

I forced a smile and nodded politely. “Let me just grab my purse and I will be right there.”

“Yes signora.” He called out but I was already back into the apartment grabbing my purse and checking my lipstick one last time before heading out the door.

Enzo and I rode in uncomfortable silence for most of our drive to the ballroom located in one of the Venturi hotels.

With Ludovic as one of our guests, it wasn't as important for the event to be covered by the press because he would be there firsthand, but we had to expect some paparazzi to be there even without Enzo tipping them off.

We pulled up to the hotel's front roundabout. Franco stopped the car and started to get out when Enzo stopped him.

"Give us a moment, Franco."

"Sì, signore."He climbed out of the car but didn't open my door.

I turned to Enzo, my brow knitted in confusion. “What's going on?”

“I know you're mad at me,” Enzo said earnestly and took my hand. “But I need you to understand that it's not what it seems.

I pulled my hand out of his, needing space from him because every time he touched me, I couldn’t think straight and did my best to keep my demeanor and tone business-like. “Look, I know that tonight is important, and I told you that I'm going to do whatever I need to do to complete our contract.”

“I know that. But I need to tell you something else. I need you to know the truth before we go in there.”

“Then tell me the truth. It would be a nice change of pace.” There was an unintentional bite to my words and Enzo flinched.

“I want to let you know that yes, my Tuesday night appointments did start off as a way to cope with losing Gemma. I missed her so bad. I didn’t date for the first year after she was gone. Alessandro suggested that I hire a professional to get me out of the rut I’d fallen into, and I tried but I—I couldn’t even go through with it. I couldn’t…” He looked uncomfortable and I knew what he meant. I nodded to let him know that I got it and he continued. “The next time I tried, I had the girl wear Gemma’s perfume. I could close my eyes and pretend that it was her, and just for a little while, it was like I was holding her again.”

“That’s so messed up.”

“I know, and I knew that it wasn’t healthy, but it became the only way that I could…perform. That is until you. With you, it grew into something different. Getting to know you over this time I've begun to develop feelings for you—the real you. I've gotten to know you outside of our unusual bedroom routine. I got so upset that day on the yacht because I found myself completely forgetting about Gemma. I was only thinking about you, how much I wanted you. I see who you are as a person and I,” he hesitated, taking a deep breath before continuing, “I'm falling for you. I know that we have a long way to go to get to know each other beyond the scope of a contract. I don't even know what that would mean for us exactly, but I do know that I am falling for you. When you're not around, when I don't get to call or see you, I miss you and I don't think that that's going to wear off when these two months are over.”

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