Page 43 of The Billionaire's Destiny

“Sometimes, I want to be your hero,” he muttered.

Our gazes connected, and my heart panged.

“You always are,” I said, my voice cracking. “Every day.”

He broke eye contact, and his expression went blank. “Come. We’re leaving.”

I followed him out of the room and strapped into a seat next to him.

A rush of excitement filled me at the prospect of seeing another city I had only read about. Rocco probably had a story or two he could share about his time here.Maybe another time.

Rick and Zane had a plan to exit first and work with security to get the press away. Gunnar and Isla would be on another plane nearby. We’d leave in separate cars.

Once we landed, they went to check. After ten minutes, they returned, and Rocco gestured for me to go ahead of him. I walked down the stairs, putting my sunglasses on out of habit, especially when we encountered the press and photographers. Another plane was already there with Gunnar, Isla, and a handsome man in a pressed suit with a colorful, printed T-shirt underneath. He walked over to us, and Rocco appeared to my left. His hand was light on my back. “Xander.”

The man waved both hands and came over to us. “Mr. Handsome. Good to see you.”

Xander hugged Rocco and gave me a wink over his shoulder.

Rocco’s smile broadened. “I didn’t know you were coming to Milan. Are Nadia and Paul here too?”

“Nope, just fabulous me,” Xander said and gestured down his body. “We were celebrating Nadia’s mom’s birthday when you called Gunnar. He told us he was heading to Milan.” He turned to me with a bright smile. “And I came to meet your beautiful wife, bond, and become lifelong friends.” He extended his hand. “Hello, Adelina.”

I smiled and took his hand. “Nice to meet you, Xander.”

“I’ve been dying to dress you. We can shop or do what you usually do?”

I grinned and shrugged. “I paint most of the time.”

“I make prints,” Xander said. “Maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle.”

Gunnar came over and said, “Hello, Adelina. Rocco, you ready?”

“Xander, you’re booked at the same hotel,” Isla said as she stepped forward.

My phone buzzed, and all heads turned toward me. I opened my phone and checked. Lily Crane. “Oh, my goodness.”

“What is it?” Rocco stepped closer to me.

“It’s Lily,” I said and bit my lip.

He gave me a soft smile. “All you can do is answer.”

“True.” I took a deep breath and said, “Hello?”

“Hello, Adelina.” Her tone was pleasant. “Are you still in Florence?”

“No, we’re in Milan. We’re on the tarmac.”

“I love Milan. I’m back in the British Virgin Islands at our house here.”

“Uhm, that’s great,” I squeaked.

“I guess you want me to get to the point,” she mused.

“No, uh, I mean, we can talk about whatever you want,” I said and bit my bottom lip.

“Well, allow me to put you at rest. We want you to illustrate theBrenna Strongborne and the Shadow Princeseries.”