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People stared and whispered as they passed. A few dared to approach Cristiano with questions in their eyes. He just nodded at them and kept walking.
He stopped only briefly to speak to Clarence Loggia, the hotel manager, as Matthews and a porter headed for the elevator with Hallie’s boxes.
“Good evening, Mr. Moretti.” Mr. Loggia was too well trained to show even the slightest surprise at seeing either a baby or a former hotel maid on his employer’s arm.
“How is it tonight, Clarence?”
“I am pleased to report the hotel is currently at ninety-six percent capacity. The Sultan of Bataar just arrived. He’s taken the presidential suite for the entire summer, along with the rest of the floor for his entourage.”
“Excellent. Please send him my regards and a collection of his favorite brandy and cigars with my personal compliments.”
The man smiled. “Already done, sir.” He hesitated, then lowered his voice. “Also, I thought you would want to know. Prince Stefano Zacco di Gioreale just checked in.”
“Why does he insist on staying here?” A shadow crossed Cristiano’s face, then he shrugged. “I suppose his money is as good as any other’s.”
“I thought you’d say that.” The manager gave an impish smile. “But in light of your past history with the gentleman, I did take the liberty of adding a surcharge to his nightly rate.”
“He deserves it, the Sicilian bastard. Nicely done, Loggia. Anything else?”
“Nothing that requires your attention.”
“I see I’ll be leaving the hotel in good hands when I depart. Buonasera.”
“Good night, sir.”
Cristiano turned back to her. As they walked to the elevator, suddenly Hallie felt very ti
red. Without a word, he stepped ahead of her to press the elevator button.
“Hallie Hatfield!”
A woman’s shrill voice behind her made her jump. Turning, she saw Audrey, who’d once been her supervisor. Not just that. She’d once been a trusted mentor and friend.
“What are you doing here, Hallie?” the other woman demanded. “Looking for another rich man to seduce? You’re no longer employed here and not allowed to be loitering in the lobby with the guests. Get out before I call the—”
Audrey sucked in her breath as Cristiano suddenly turned around.
“Hallie’s with me,” he said mildly. “And I own the hotel, so that makes it all right, does it not, Ms....” He looked at her name tag. “Ms. Johnson?”
Audrey’s shocked face went white, then red.
“Yes, of course. I’m so sorry, Mr. Moretti,” she stammered, backing away. She bowed her head repeatedly. “I didn’t realize Hallie was with you. I’ll, um, return to my duties—”
The woman fled. As Hallie and Cristiano got into the elevator with their baby, he frowned. “That was your old supervisor.”
“Yes.”
“Did she always treat you so poorly?”
She gave a brief smile. “No.”
“Do you want me to fire her?”
Hallie gaped at him. She couldn’t tell if he was joking, but just to be safe she quickly said, “No, of course not. I feel bad for her.”
“Why?”
“When you ordered her to fire me directly, without going through HR, then gave her the mysterious severance envelope she wasn’t allowed to read...” Hallie shrugged. “She’s not stupid. She guessed we’d slept together.”
