Page 48 of Royally Roma
She had to stop herself from reaching for him and pressing a parting kiss to the corner of his lying mouth. She wasn’t about to go down that humiliating road again. Besides, how dare he tell her such things? He didn’t know the first thing about the hurt she’d endured. He couldn’t possibly.
Not everyone is out to hurt you, Julia. Present company included.
They were pretty words, nothing more.
She wasn’t even sure she could believe them, much less commit them to memory.
“THAT’S YOUR SECRETARY?”
Niccolo could have sworn he detected the faintest note of relief in Julia’s tone as they approached the patio of Café Rocha, where Piero waved at him discreetly from a table partially hidden beneath a huge yellow umbrella.
“Yes.” He slid her a sideways glance. “Pray tell, what exactly were you expecting?”
Her cheeks blazed crimson. “I haven’t given it any thought whatsoever, actually.”
He bit back a smile. “The look on your face says otherwise.”
“That’s exactly the sort of presumptuous thing Caligula would probably say.”
Again with the wicked emperor comparisons.
It occurred to Niccolo that he should probably be relieved to tell the impetuous Miss Costaarrivederci. She might be beautiful...and challenging...and real, but she had no clue to whom she was speaking. If she knew the truth—especially now that he’d been lying to her for the better part of twenty-four hours—she’d be furious. His actions had only confirmed everything she suspected about people in his position.
He should be thanking his lucky stars he’d managed to keep his identity a secret.
For numerous reasons.
He should also probably be leaping over café tables right now in an attempt to get to Piero, pay Julia what he owed her, and get his own life back on the proper track. It would take him days, if not weeks, to undo the damage his disappearing act had done.
Oddly enough, he wasn’t in any hurry whatsoever.
“Right.” He slowed to a stop and pulled out a chair at a small table on the outskirts of the café. “Have a seat. I’ll just be a moment.”
“What? No.” Julia stared at the empty seat and shook her head. “I’m coming with you.”
“No, you aren’t.” This time she would do as he said. For once. “You’re to stay right here. Order a glass of champagne if you like. I’ll be just a few feet away.”
“Champagne?”
“Yes. It’s on me.” He motioned for her to sit, and called out to the waiter, “Champagne per la signorina, per favore.”
“Grazie,” she said primly and sat down. “I’ll be watching, so don’t try and make a fast getaway.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
He left her there and wove his way through the tightly packed tables toward Piero. Aside from two nondescript men seated close to Julia, the café was empty. The farmer’s market was in full swing just a few feet away, and the air was filled with the scents of freshly cut flowers, Italian herbs and ripe red fruit. When he unbuttoned his suit jacket to sit down, he realized his shirt cuff was stained with tomato juice.
Piero stared at the dampened oxford cloth as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. “Your Highness, it’s such a relief to see you again. Everyone at the palace...”
Niccolo held up a hand to stop him. “No formalities, please. Not here.”
Piero nodded. “As you wish.”
“Did you bring the money?”
“About that, sir.” Piero cleared his throat.
Niccolo suddenly had a very bad feeling about where this was going. “Piero, tell me you brought the money.”
