Page 48 of Incognito

He’d left her.

And for a woman who’d learned to cope with whatever traumas life threw her way, it hurt more than she could’ve imagined.

27

“He’s left?” Gina bristled like an angry porcupine, her dark curls spiking in all directions as she leaned over the concierge’s desk. “What do you mean he’s left?”

Natasha took a deep breath, not in the mood to placate the pushy princess. “Like I already said, Dante isn’t here.”

“But he told me he was staying here.” Gina’s brows drew together in a formidable frown. “Why would he change hotels?”

Natasha had pondered that very fact on the interminable tram ride home, grateful when she’d arrived back at the hotel to find she had to fill in for a shift.

Anything to dull the pain of realising Gina must’ve been right, that Dante had only been after one thing, and when she’d been too slow in producing the goods, he decided to cut his losses and run.

Who knew, maybe he was over at the Sofitel right now buttering up some other gullible female with his sexy smile and piercing eyes?

“I have no idea why he changed hotels,” Natasha said, her glare implying ‘don’t push me, lady, I’m not in the mood.’

She should be doing cartwheels through the hotel foyer after finally getting rid of Clay. Instead, she wanted to rant and raveand scream at the injustice of losing the man she’d fallen for, then having to face his sister when Gina was the last person she wanted to see right now.

“But you’re his friend.” Gina crinkled her nose like she smelled something bad. “Surely he would’ve given you some idea why he changed hotels?”

Gritting her teeth in frustration, Natasha shook her head. “I’m not your brother’s keeper. I provided a service for him while he stayed here, that was all. If you need to speak to him, try calling him.”

Gina wouldn’t get the location of his new hotel from her. Natasha had gone through enough trouble for the royal heartbreaker and being sued because she leaked information against the hotelier’s confidentiality act was more than she was willing to do.

“This is all very strange.” Gina fixed her with a suspicious glare, as if she didn’t believe a word Natasha had said. “Dante doesn’t do anything impulsively. His official hotel residence was scheduled here months ago. I can’t understand why he’d leave, especially without telling me.”

Natasha refrained from rolling her eyes, just. If Gina didn’t understand the workings of Dante’s mind, what hope did she have? Trying to figure out his thought processes was a total waste of time and ten times more frustrating than those stupid twisty coloured cubes.

“If you want answers, the only way to get them is to ask Dante.” And leave her alone. “I’m sorry I can’t be of more assistance.”

“Perhaps I should be saying the same to you.” Gina’s dark eyes took on a speculative gleam and Natasha didn’t like the implication.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Gina waved a bejewelled hand in front of her face. “I’m not blind or stupid, despite what my brother might think. I may have made some silly decisions with my life but that doesn’t mean I can’t see what’s going on with his.”

She leaned closer and dropped her voice to a dramatic whisper. “Dante likes you. He would never have brought you to my home otherwise. And by the look of your long face, I’d say you’re just as confused as me by his departure.”

Natasha stiffened, despising herself for the surge of hope Gina’s words elicited. Dante liked her? Yeah, right, that’s why he’d high-tailed it out of here without an explanation, leaving so fast her head still spun.

Keeping her voice steady with effort, Natasha said, “Dante’s departure has nothing to do with me. Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to do—”

“Dante is a proud man, a stubborn man. Don’t let his casual attire this last week fool you. He is regal to the bone and if you want answers, you’ll have to go straight to the source.”

“I’m not going to see Dante.”

Damn it, the response popped out before she could stop it and Gina’s gaze glittered with triumph. “I can see his interest isn’t one-sided. You have feelings for him too.”

Natasha shook her head, wishing her brain hadn’t gone into overdrive at Gina’s suggestion.

What if the princess was right? She could waste hours, days, longer, wondering why Dante left and why he lied about it. She was a worrier just like her mother, an integral part of her personality she couldn’t shut off.

She’d worried about what her family would think of her hasty engagement to Clay.

She’d worried about taking money from her fiancé when the hotel hit a really tight spot.

---