Page 40 of Salvaged Hearts

“And the ball buster?”

“A survival tactic. You have to know what you’re signing up for. You might have big house energy now, but wait until I’m manic because I chugged pre-workout.”

“Have you always spoken so candidly?”

“No,” she admitted, cocking her head. “Spent most of my life silent. But look at where that got me.”

Engaged to a Hart. That fact was instantly reduced to a sentence instead of a godsend. That should irritate me, but it didn’t. Actually, I was rather amused.

Her belongings had been moved and sorted for her, and her car upgraded to a limo with a driver or her pick of Teslas, luxury SUVs, or sedans. Clothes had been neatly folded, sorted, and put away by a staff that sang her praises because she memorized their names and made eye contact while they talked to her. A private chef occupied her new kitchen five hours a day. And she dismissed it because her reality was arranged rather than stumbled into with some tacky meet cute like the books she read. I knew countless power couples who’d started out as mergers rather than romances. Leave it to Alessandra to make it seem outrageous.

“You move like a god damned greyhound,” Luke noted, finally catching up with frustration carving his strong brow.

“And you shuffle like a bulldog.” I pointed out, earning an honest to god giggle from Alessandra and a glare from Luke as he ran a hand through thinning brown hair. “Alessandra, you remember Detective Rivera?”

“From the Sullivan case. Yes, of course. Nice to see you?—”

“Luke,” he cut in.” Please call me Luke. We’re friends now, Mrs. Hart.” His use of the moniker sent her cheeks flaming, a timid smile on her face as those eyes dropped to her feet. “I’d blush if I was crazy enough to marry this guy, too,” he teased, hooking his thumb over his shoulder toward me.

“You underestimate your friend if you feel that way,” she countered, words taking me by surprise. Perhaps she’d wear this role better than I even anticipated. That or she hated me less than she let on, which would be preferable given the proximity we’d be in until this mess was resolved.

“I’m not in the habit of flirting with men—might give people the wrong impression,” I stated, eyes only for her. I liked the smile my stupid, understated joke earned. Liked the way those blue-grays ignited with amusement. The way some long-buried flame in my chest seemed to wake in response.

“Wouldn’t want to feed the stalkarazzi fodder.”

“Of course not,” I agreed, smiling as she did, knowing full well our entire arrangement was designed to do exactly that. It had been our plan, of course, to leak one morsel of gossip at a time. The ring. Perfect photo announcement. This party. Wedding date speculations. She had each piece timed precisely.

“Ahh, there’s Mike. I’m going to go coordinate,” Luke cut in, pulling our focus as he nodded to us in turn. “Congrats to you both. Really. Thrilled about the news.”

“Say hi to Marie,” I replied, reaching out a hand in thanks.

He shook it quickly. “Will do, Hart. Will do.”

Alessandra looped her arm in mine when he'd gone and angled us toward the venue entrance. “Why do I feel like there’s more than one reason you reintroduced me to Detective Rivera.”

“Because trust is challenging to find within government institutions, and he’s one of the few you could safely turn to.”

“Ahh,” she said simply, as though that made perfect sense.

We stepped through the expansive double doors onto the ballroom floor as a coastal breeze shifted her silky hair. Gently tucking a side behind her ear, I slid my arm out and down to her hand. “Tonight will be a whirlwind,” I noted, squeezing her fingers gently.

“Nothing we’re not used to.”

“Except you’ll be the center of their focus this time.”

“I can handle myself.”

“I know,” I agreed, nodding. “Tell me I have a phone call waiting in the office if you need an excuse to leave.”

“You don’t need to look out for me.”

“But I will,” I countered. Abandoning my hold on her fingers, I ran my own up the length of her lace-shrouded arm. “And Alessandra, one more thing.”

“Yes?” she asked softly.

“The dress fits you beautifully. You’re a mirage in ivory.They’re askingbecause they can’t fathom a woman as kind as you would take pity on a man likeme.”

“Have you no sense of duty?”My uncle’s snarled demand pulled my attention from the cuff link I was fastening. With guests set to arrive any minute, I was well past the curtain call and needed to make sure I pulled my weight tonight. Alessandra looked radiant, so I needed to attempt to match.

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