AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Of course. Do you like them?”
“I do. They’re very you.”
“Thank you. So . . . .” Theo poked my shoulder. “You most definitely have a type.” He nodded toward Alessio.
Physically, maybe this was true. But my former boyfriend had been a teddy bear. Alessio was sharp and hard, cold at times. He wasn’t afraid to stand up to me. Paolo never would’ve dared. “Stop. He’s right here.”
“And he’s listening,” Alessio muttered.
This caused Theo to laugh. “You two are cute together. Which is surprising, considering he was hired to kill you.”
I shrugged and sipped my wine. “It makes for an interesting ‘how did you meet’ story.”
“This is true,” Theo said. “You never do things the easy way, bello.”
“And Nic? I saw the way you looked at him tonight.”
Theo ducked his head and smoothed his already-smooth skirt with one hand. “I think I might like him,” he said quietly. “It’s disgusting.”
“You are allowed to be happy. For longer than two weeks, I mean. But what do you know about him?” I heard Alessio sigh heavily beside me, but I ignored him.
“I’m not sure he is out.” Theo looked around, making sure we weren’t overhead as he leaned in. “In Paris, we stayed in his hotel room. He never left. No visitors. Then he brings me here to this yacht. Either he’s closeted or he’s embarrassed of me. Or married. Maybe all three.”
Theo didn’t hide. As long as I’d known him, he was proudly gay and wore exactly what he liked, regardless of gender norms. I couldn’t imagine him dating a closeted man. “Have you asked him?”
Theo pinched the tips of his fingers with his thumb. “Ma dai. Don’t be ridiculous. We’ve known each other for less than a month. I want to enjoy whatever time we have together and not ruin it with heavy conversation.”
“You’re afraid of the answer.”
“Sì, certo. And this is just temporary.”
“You noticed the crew? The guns?”
“Of course.” Theo’s brows lowered as he frowned at me. “A man as wealthy as this? We would be surprised if there weren’t guns aboard, no?”
“I’m worried about your safety,” I said quietly.
“Fair, then, because I’ve spent the last four years worried about yours.” His voice was sharp and clearly I’d hit a nerve.
“Forgive me. But you know I didn’t have a choice.”
“What I know is that you are stubborn. Siderno, your father’s estate, is the safest place. Yet you avoid moving back, even at the cost of your own life.”
Alessio grunted in agreement. I ignored him and kept my focus on Theo. “And a good thing I did. They sent six men to kill me in Scotland. Do you think I can risk Frankie and the kids? My mother died when she was caught in one of my father’s feuds. I won’t risk it.”
Settling back in his chair, Theo relaxed and grabbed my hand. “I don’t wish to argue, bello. It is good to see you. I have been worried these last few months. After Greece I stopped hearing from you and I feared the worst.”
“I’m sorry. I should have called sooner.”
“Where were you in Scotland?”
“The Upper Hebrides.”
“That sounds very cold and so very not-gay.”
My lips twitched. “It was cold. But I found it surprisingly gay.”
“I bet you did. You are pretty enough to make the straightest of straight ones curious.” He sipped his wine, gazing at Alessio over the rim of his glass.
