Page 119 of Unstoppable Billionaire

"Surely you remember me, Maximus?"She looks genuinely hurt.

Ah, she is speaking English again.

"I am Elena Maria."

"Ah, Elena."He nods, then drops his sweet gaze down on me."It's been a long, long time.Have you met Mio Bella Signorina, Siri Wright?"He pauses just a split second longer than polite manners dictate, then he lifts his eyes to meet hers.I see his jaw imperceptibly set.

She blinks under his piercing stare, then looks at me and says with ice."Yes.We met."

I squeeze his hand, and he squeezes mine back.

"What brings you here?"He questions her.

She smiles, looking back at him, flirting."An old friend."

"Really.Who?"His face is relaxed, but his eyes narrow.

"You."

He turns hawk eyes on Antonio and Franco."Did you two know about this?"They shake their heads.

She takes a small step toward him and says."We have unfinished business to discuss."

He smiles at her."I'll ask Mia to take you to lunch sometime to discuss it."He turns to face Antonio, dismissing her."Antonio, forgive me for taking you away from your lover.Siri is obviously fine.Ciao."

Antonio smiles, looking relieved, then reaches for Elena's arm."Elena, allow me to escort you.Do you need a ride?I can drop you off somewhere.You can give me your contact information for Mia, and we can catch up on all the years you have been away and all the changes in our lives."He tucks her hand in his arm, and although she pouts, she leaves quietly.He chats her up, being an attentive escort, and I watch Aurei's first love disappear for all the world to see, walking like an old giraffe.

As soon as they are out of earshot, Franco turns to us."Maximus.Siri.My apologies."

I look up at Aurei.His jaw is firm.He is upset.He doesn't know exactly what happened, but he does know Elena wasn't a surprise he should have had, and he isn't happy about it.

I reach my hand out and touch Franco's arm and explain to them both what happened."I was coming down to meet you, Franco, and ask for a favor.Elena was at our door when I came out.That's all that happened."Aurei stiffens, and I slide my arm around his waist.He pulls me to him."I'm sure she used a rouse and tricked someone into finding out our room number."

Franco tells us."Rest assured, I will speak to Carlo, and he will get to the bottom of it."

Aurei is frowning when he says to Franco."I want to know who informed her."

Franco nods, then asks me."What may I help you with?"

I laugh."I would like a jar of peanut butter and a place to work on a dance routine."

Aurei asks me, "Peanut butter?"

"Yes.It is my go-to food!"I grin at him.

"See what you can do on the peanut butter."He tells Franco.

"Certainly," Franco answers."And the other?"

"I got that."I look up into his face and his beautiful green gaze.He winks at me and says."It's a surprise."

"I love surprises!"

He laughs, and Franco looks relieved."Come on.We don't want to lose our reservation.I'm hungry, and Michael's is famous for pizza."As we start down the stairs, Franco takes his phone out.As soon as we part paths, he makes a call.

I'm rested assured.He is def on it.

CHAPTERTWENTY

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