Page 66 of Dangerous Deception

Knowing where her heart lies, I’ll make it my mission to make it happen for her. She placed so much of herself on hold after the wedding, mostly because of me, and even more after her attack. Watching her stride into the penthouse with wide eyes and utter glee at the luxury surrounding her, I know she will be okay.

Her chin is high and determination is back in her heart.

“I can’t believe a place like this exists.” Adelina laughs as she kicks off her shoes and runs across the thick, fluffy carpet.

Tall windows stretch from the floor to the ceiling, lining one wall with a gorgeous view of the skyline. A fireplace burns in one corner behind safety glass, surrounded by a cozy sitting area that leads into an open-plan kitchen where several menus are laid out for us. A spiral staircase leads upward to the bedroom and luxury bathroom. Adelina immediately discovers the door that leads out onto the balcony and she runs back inside with a grin.

“There’s a hot tub?”

“There’s everything.” I chuckle. “Although, you look exhausted. How about a bath first?”

She contemplates my words while chewing on her lower lip, then she nods. “I am tired.”

“Bath it is, then.”

Placing my hand against the small of her back, I guide her upstairs where she once again giggles in awe at the large bed and then the massive oval bathtub. She sets about filling it with water and an alarming amount of bubbles, all while chatting away about the painting ideas she has for the children and the art class she can run for them.

Watching her is a delight. Her father may have been rich in the eyes of an everyday American, but he’s nowhere near as rich as me and she deserves to be spoiled.

I stay with her until she sinks deep into the bubbles and discovers the massage jets, then I kiss her damp forehead and retreat downstairs.

The air is colder here and suspicion is back in my heart. Vito is my first call.

“How is being back Stateside?” Vito snorts over the phone.

“Makes no difference to me,” I say, wandering out onto the balcony. “But it’s already smothering Adelina’s light a little. She wasn’t ready to come back. Not really.”

“Anything I can do?”

“The hospital she spent so much time at? Get me the list of patients from the department in which she volunteered. And make sure Caterina is up to date on the building and all routes to and from. She wants to go back there, so I want to make sure she’s safe.”

“Will do. Anything else?”

“Put everyone on high alert. And get out of the manor.”

Vito’s voice changes immediately. “Understood. Any reason?”

“Would you trust me if I said it was a feeling?”

“Yes,” Vito replies. “But I’d ask for elaboration.”

“Pascal.” Tension pulls across my forehead, and I try to chase it away with my fingers. “I can’t put my finger on it, but I don’t trust him. He sounded so violently ill, but when we got here, he just had a fucking cold.”

“You think he wanted you back here for a reason?”

“Maybe. Either way, I don’t trust the prick. So get out of the manor. Tell Caterina we’re at the Scarlet Pearl and she should come here. I sent her to get some rest when we landed, but I want her back.”

“Understood. Anything else?”

“No, that should be all.”

The call ends and a cold breeze flashes across my face, carrying the subtle scents of the city below. If it were anyone else, I’d have used my fists by now and the truth would be as laid bare as their blood on the stone.

But Pascal is Adelina’s father.

I have to be careful. And confident.

Acting too soon could destroy the bond that’s finally forming between us, and I can’t have that.

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