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“Isabelle.” Valentino called after me.
I spun around to face him but said nothing.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” He furrowed his brow.
I nodded. “I am but I just want him dead sooner than later, please.”
And with that, I left the room so they could discuss their plan of attack.
Pleased with my reflection in the mirror, I studied the dress Valentino had delivered to the hotel for me; a black and white halter neck gown with crystal sequin embroidered bodice detail. Slanting toward the mirror, I attached the last long, diamond earrings to my earlobe and took a step back.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
“Come in!” I waltzed to the bed, perching on the edge as I put my shoes on.
Joseph stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. “Care to share?” He crossed his arms and leaned on the wall.
I shook my head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You know I can’t help if you don’t talk to me.”
“I know, but it’s being handled, okay?”
“What do you mean,handled?”
“Joseph, how much do you know about Lindsay?” I grabbed my other shoe off the floor and slipped it on my foot.
“That’s what all this is about?” He slid his hands into his pockets and took several steps toward me. “Isabelle, I mean Miss—”
“God,Isabelleis fine.” I sauntered back toward the mirror, slowly twirling to get a final look at myself as I slid my hands down the fabric.
“Isabelle,” he cautiously continued, “can I ask you a question?” He took a deep, slow breath. “And be honest, please.”
I spun around to face him as I untangled a strand of my hair from my earring. “I’m not jealous of her, if that’s what you’re about to ask me.”
“Okay, maybe not.” He strode over to a chair by the window and sat down. Leaning forward, he propped his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. “I researched her extensively, and she’s clean, I assure you.”
I lowered my gaze, bobbing my head. “Okay, I just want to make sure we’re safe.”
“I know, and you have to trust I would never knowingly place any of you in danger.” Crinkling his brow, he placed his hand on his pocket, then dug his phone from it. Glancing down at the screen, he rolled his eyes. “Speaking of…I have to take this.” He placed the phone to his ear.
One second. He stretched his neck away from the mouthpiece. “He’s waiting for you in the kitchen. We’ll be leaving soon.”
With a small smile, I glided out of the room, hearing him continue his conversation.
What can I do for you?
While he was right, I still did not want to involve him either, without proof. I hoped Noah would have the information as soon as possible.
“—and I think if we—” Valentino stopped speaking the moment I entered the room. He smiled, trailing his eyes from my feet to my face. He drank in every bit of me every time I put on any outfit. He ran his thumb across his bottom lip. I knew he was resisting the urge to skip dinner and take me back to the bedroom. He was always hungry for sex. Approaching me, he clutched my cheeks in his palms while pressing his lips to mine. “You look so fucking gorgeous.”
Joseph exited the room and walked outside onto the balcony, in deep concentration.
Valentino paid him no mind as he turned his head, calling back over his shoulder. “Noah, delay the reservation for twenty minutes. I suddenly had something come up.” He glanced down before meeting my gaze with a ravenous starvation.
Noah cleared his throat. “Uh, okay, no problem, Mr. Greco.”
Gnawing the inside of his cheek, Valentino gripped my hips and pivoted me toward the bedroom. Cupping my backside in his hands, he ushered me into the room and closed the door with his foot. I whirled around, smiling. He herded me backwards toward the bed.
