Page 14 of The Last Dance You Saved
Something about his tone set my nerves jangling once more. I’d originally intended to tell Lorenzo about the diamonds and ask if they’d belonged to Carolyn or her family. Instead, I bit my tongue. Gia’s sources had said the Puzo family had cleaned up their act, but she couldn’t be sure they just hadn’t gotten really good at hiding their criminal enterprises.
I didn’t want to offer up the jewels and possibly put a target on our backs if they rightfully belonged to Carolyn. If they were ours, I hoped to convince my family to use them to fund a special kind of Hatley and McFlannigan legacy in Willow Creek. A way I could leave a mark on this earth that might be different than the one I’d originally planned but would still be meaningful.
“Was the Puzo family wealthy back then?” I asked.
When his eyes narrowed at the question, I realized I’d messed up and he thought I was after their money. I attempted to soothe his concerns. “I don’t care if they were. My family doesn’t need money or anything. That isn’t why I’m here. I just…there were some things I found while going through the attic of the house where she lived, and it made me curious. Why did she go to Hollywood? Why did she and Great-grandpa Harry leave California? Why was there no mention of her side of the family at all?” I was babbling. It was a habit I had when I was nervous. I took a deep breath, slowed down, and said, “I guess I just wanted to understand my roots.”
He set his knife and fork down smoothly and slowly, in that same way that gave the impression he hadn’t moved at all. “Roots are important. Traditions as well as the wishes of our ancestors. I’m afraid that’s all I can tell you about her.”
It was easy to tell that his “all I can tell you about her” wasn’t all heknewabout her. The congeniality he’d had during our entire conversation completely disappeared, leaving behind the tension of a coiled snake. Adrenaline pumped through me as I wondered just how much of a mistake I’d made in meeting with him.
Before I could respond, a shadow crossed over our table, and we both looked up to find Rafe glaring down at us. Not just glaring but shooting lightning bolts from those chocolate depths.
My heart stopped.
By the time he spoke, the simmering anger I’d glimpsed had disappeared back behind that emotionless wall he’d tossed at me last night. “How mad is your boss that you didn’t get anything from me?”
Confusion spiraled as I realized the dry, scornful question was meant for me.
“Excuse me?” I asked, hating that I sounded breathless and unsure.
“Do you know each other?” Lorenzo asked, glancing between Rafe and me with a raised brow, interest sparking in his eyes.
“Not as well as she would have liked.” Rafe’s tone was as disparaging as it was icy.
I wasn’t one to blush easily, but I felt my face heat as his words suddenly merged into a single, ugly thought. He was insinuating I’d tried to sleep with him for Lorenzo. For what reason? Blackmail? My embarrassment turned to disgust and then to fury.
“What the hell?” I hissed. “If anyone should be pissed about how things ended last night, it should be me!”
Lorenzo chuckled. It was dark and somehow incredibly satisfied and drew Rafe’s gaze from me to him.
“You’re not allowed on the premises, Puzo. Not on any of my properties.”
Rafe’s voice was calm but held a hint of threat that sent my flight instincts into overdrive. Lorenzo, however, seemed to get enjoyment out of it. He waved his hand at me and said, “But I was invited by the lovely lady.”
Suddenly, that unease and trepidation that had been growing since I’d first sat down with Lorenzo morphed into something much larger. True fear. I’d stepped into the middle of something nasty between him and Rafe. Something that ended up putting the unsuspected heroine in the movies in danger. Or worse, got the unsuspected pawn killed off like aStar Trekred shirt.
“The ruling the judge made was very clear after your attempt at corporate sabotage. Neither you nor your employees are allowed on Marquess Enterprises property,” Rafe said. “But please, stay so I can call security and have Steele throw you out. He’d take great pleasure in it.”
Lorenzo smiled and put his napkin down slowly and methodically before pushing back his chair. I rose at the same time, shaky and unsteady. Before I realized what he was doing, Lorenzo had leaned in and kissed my cheek. Way too personal. Way more than I’d expected. And entirely for Rafe’s benefit. I stepped back automatically, nearly running into Rafe.
“It was a pleasure, Sadie. I’ll be in touch soon.” He sauntered slowly and carelessly away before I could even respond, his movements still a lesson in efficiency. Smooth and confident.
Rafe’s hand closed around my bicep, and he jerked me closer to him. That flash of anger appeared again as our chests collided, and those damn sparks that had ignited yesterday flared right back to life at his touch. Even furious and glaring, he still caused delicious tension to sweep through my stomach.
By the time he spoke, he had himself in control again. The glacial edge was back as he said, “You tell Puzo he will never be able to blackmail me. And if he keeps sending his minions, I will file new charges.”
I pushed against the solid wall of his chest, trying to put distance between us. “I don’t know what the hell is going on between you two. This was the first time I’ve ever met Lorenzo. My business with him has nothing to do with you.”
He didn’t let me escape. If anything, the grip on my bicep increased as he scoured my face, weighing my truthfulness. “If that’s true, I’d only advise you to stay away from him. Puzo will destroy you and everyone you care about and celebrate the fall. Go back to Tennessee, Sadie, and keep your nose out of my business.”
He finally let me go, and I stumbled back, noticing for the first time people were trying not to stare at the scene we’d caused.
I rubbed my arm, and his gaze settled on it, a flicker of something that might have been remorse drifting over him before it settled back into his unreadable mask. Fear and regret and irritation all mixed inside me, but I refused to let him see it. I hid every emotion I could as I said calmly, “I was checking out today anyway. So, don’t worry, you’ll never see me again.”
Then, I whirled around, weaved through the tables, and headed directly for the elevators. I felt him watching me the entire time. Felt the look burning through the back of my skull.
I was close to tears again, like I had been last night when I’d left the penthouse. And I hated that he was able to evoke these intense emotions in me. Hated him for interrupting my discussion with Lorenzo before I could set it to rights. Hated the cold disparagement he’d sent reeling in my direction when I’d seen the real him last night. That Rafe, the one nearly overcome with passion as we’d kissed, had been the true him. I’d almost bet my bar on it.
