Page 141 of The Proposal

Me: I appreciate it.

“Done,” I say, glancing over at my underboss.

“Good. What are our plans until we hear back from them?”

“We don’t let the girls out of our sight.” He leans back in his seat and blows out a long breath, and I can only assume he’s not happy about that prospect. “I don’t know what isgoing on between the two of you, but I need your help with this, so you’re going to have to put whatever differences you have aside.”

“Who, me and Lucia?”

“Yes.”

“There’s nothing going on. Like I’ve told you numerous times, she’s far too young for me.”

“There are eleven years between Arabella and I.”

“Arabella seems older than that.”

“Are you saying my wife looks old?”

He chuckles, which pisses me off. “I meant her mannerisms.”

“Her father murdered her mother when she was ten. She had to grow up fast.”

“Understandably so. Lucia’s just?—”

“Just what?” I press.

“A temptation I don’t want or need.”

I raise an eyebrow as we merge into traffic. “A temptation?”

“Relax, we’re just friends … well, we were. I’m not even sure we’re that anymore.”

“A friendship I can handle. Anything more or less than that is a complication I don’t need.”

“Message received,” he replies briefly, turning his face towards the passenger side window, signalling the end of the conversation.

“Are you hungry?” I ask. “Do you want to come back to the house for some breakfast?”

He lifts a shoulder without meeting my gaze. “I guess.”

I jolt awake as my phone vibrates on the bedside table. Carefully, I untangle myself from my wife, making sure not todisturb her, and reach for it. The time reads 1:36 am, and Roberto’s name is flashing on the screen.

Tossing back the covers, I go to get out of bed, when I hear Arabella say, “Is everything okay?”

I lean over and place a soft kiss on the side of her head. “Everything is fine,Bellezza, go back to sleep.”

“Where are you going?”

I lift the phone as I rise. “I’m just going to step outside and take this call.”

“Roberto,” I say once I’m in the hallway.

“It’s done.”

“You have him?”

“What’s left of him.”

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