Page 120 of Love Redesigned

It takes me a moment to place the voice. “Vittori.”

“Please, call me Lorenzo. Vittori reminds me of my uncle, and he’s a real dick.” Lorenzo’s mocking tone only irritates me more.

“How did you get my number?”

“You’re not the only one with connections.”

Something that sounds distinctly like Dahlia’s laugh has me nearly crushing my phone within my grip. “Is that Dahlia?”

“Yup.”

“Put her on the phone.”

His deep chuckle lacks any warmth. “I don’t think so.”

“I’m not asking you.”

“Unlike the majority of this town, I’m not on your payroll, so treat me accordingly.”

I take a deep breath to stop myself from cursing him out. “Fine. Please put her on the phone.”

Something muffles his question, although I can distinctly hear Dahlia rejecting his request.

“She’s not available right now.”

“Where are you?”

He releases a big, dramatic sigh. “I’ll tell you once you promise to end your personal vendetta against me.”

My teeth grind together. “Extortion won’t make you anyfriends.”

“Maybe, but it will get me a house.”

The soft rattling of ice in the background has my ears perking up.

“Speaking of houses, I’m curious why you need one to begin with…” I let the thought drift like chum in the water.

He scoffs. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

I pause to listen for any other clues about his location. “I’m trying to figure out if you’re competition or not.”

“If I wanted to compete with you, you’d know it.”

“So that only leaves one other reason.”

“Sounds like you have it all figured out.” Ice rattles again at his end of the call.

“You can’t run for mayor without actually being a taxpaying citizen, can you?”

Blissful silence greets me.

Who knew Lorenzo was capable of such a thing?

“One more. Please.” Dahlia’s plea is followed by a rough voice I’d recognize anywhere.

“I’m cutting you off,” Henry replies in that serious tone of his.

I hang up the call and head toward the one place I’m kicking myself for not checking.

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