Page 124 of The Sexy Billionaire

“You’re still following Michael, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Why, what’s going on?”

I shake my head and a sense of unease fills me. “I don’t know. I just had a strange feeling, that’s someone was following and watching me. That couldn’t happen, could it?”

“No, I’ve had no alerts that he’s left the country. Where’s Gio? Find him and stay near him. I’ll call around and see what I can find out,” he says frantically before hanging up. I shake my head, there is no way he is here, yet I scan the space around me again.

There’s just no way.

Collecting myself, I step back into the ballroom and take my seat again. I grab my glass of champagne and notice how unsteady my hand is as I raise the glass to my lips.

“Are you okay?” Mackenzie whispers, noticing my hands shaking.

“Guess I’m still a little emotional about the tribute,” I lie, which seems to be enough as she encourages me to try the steak.

We get through the rest of the gourmet meal, then the MC announces it’s time for dancing as he starts encouraging everyone to the dance floor. When I look around, I notice Gio isn’t at his table anymore, neither are Luca and Lilly. His parents have gotten up to dance. Where has he gone?

“You coming to dance?” Tomas asks as Matteo and Zoe stand beside him.

“I’ll wait until Mackenzie gets back from the bathroom and then come join you,” I tell them as they head off. I watch the three of them laughing as they disappear.

“Hey, Paige,” Allegra says as she comes and takes a seat beside me, Giada joining her on the other side. Why does this feel like an ambush? I’m already stressed enough as it is with this stupid gut feeling to worry about these two. “This might be a strange request, but Gio has asked us to help you leave the event with him,” Allegra explains. He what?

“He sent you a message,” Giada adds.

I frown as I pull out my phone, and sure enough, I have one. I open it up and read it.

Giorgio: Allegra is going to help you leave. I’ll be waiting in the car outside for you.

Oh.

“Are you ready?” Allegra asks.

I nod.

“It was so lovely meeting you, Paige. Hope to see you again soon,” Giada says, standing up and giving me a hug. “Gio deserves happiness and I think he’s found it,” she whispers into my ear before flitting off into the crowd.

“Come on,” Allegra says as she escorts me out of the gala. It’s easier to make our way through the crowd now that most of them are up dancing. She walks us outside back along the red carpet, and I can see cars pulling up and collecting the departing partygoers. A car flashes its lights as it pulls up before us. “This is your ride.” She smiles, opening the door for me.

“Thank you,” I say, still confused.

“I look forward to getting to know you,” she adds as I get into the car.

“Me too,” I answer before she slams the door.

“Thank fuck you’re safe. Fuck, I can’t believe they can’t find him,” Gio says as he pulls me into his side.

I go still at his words. “Can’t find who?”

Gio looks down at me, and I can see the barely contained rage on his face. “Michael.”

36

GIORGIO

Watching Paige’s face pale when I tell her they can’t find Michael feels like someone has stabbed me in the guts. It’s my job to protect her. I told her she was safe with me, that I wouldn’t let Michael harm her ever again and now I’ve failed. Her body shakes as I hold her tightly against me. “Smith called me and told me you had called. When he looked into it for you, they realized he’s missing.”

“He couldn’t possibly be here, could he?” she asks, looking up at me with those dark doe eyes.

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