Page 19 of Veiled Vows

“Then tell me how your number is on here.”

“Your mother.” Roman sighs softly. “She gave me your number, in fact she gave me everyone’s number at the party. I assume she had something to do with it.”

Of course. I learned long ago that privacy is rarely a thing around my mother, which is why I keep nothing sensitive on my phone, but she must have been extra sneaky tonight. Maybe when we were eating? “Sounds like her,” I murmur. “So, what is it?”

“Why did you agree?”

“To the engagement?”

“Yeah. I want to understand.”

“Why?”

“So we both know where the other is coming from.”

“What if we have opposing goals, is the wedding off?”

Roman chuckles deeply. “You saw how closely we were being watched. That’s not an option.”

“I have things I want to do. Things I can’t do if I’m dead.”

“So you’re not going to tell me?”

“No. Are you going to tell me your reason?”

“No.”

“There we are.” It’s hard not to laugh as I rub one hand down my face, sending a flurry of droplets cascading across the water. “The man who was with your father, who was that? He didn’t introduce himself.”

“Alto. My half brother. No surprise he didn’t. The dude’s a dick.” Roman’s voice deepens slightly. “Are you in the bath?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

“You answer the phone naked, that’s good to know. Do you answer the door naked too?”

“To the right people,” I smirk. “People who are honest with me.”

“Honesty is a high price to pay.”

“Oh, I’m worth it, I assure you.”

“I only trust my own appraisal,” he replies with a smile evident in his voice. “I’m a hands-on kind of guy.”

“Then I will forever be priceless to you.” The flirting is light and enjoyable, but I have to be careful. Roman Gatti has a sexy reputation, and I will not be a part of it. The entire Gatti family is dangerous in more ways than one. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m off limits.”

“Yeah, I heard you were getting married.”

“That’s not it,” I say, bringing an end to the game. “I know about you, Roman. The things you’ve done. You might be attractive, but you’re a terrible person. This, between us? It’s nothing more than a selfish business agreement to enable us to pursue our own goals.”

“You find me attractive?”

“Of course that’s all you hear,” I groan. “Goodnight, Roman.”

“I’m hearing I might still have a chance.” He does not know when to give up.

“You have zero chance,” I say. “Because I’m in love with someone else.”

8

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