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That's it. I've decided to step in and help after all.
There's no more fun here at this tedious business meeting. I ignore Bruno's hiss of protest as I slip out of our corner and cross the room quickly, formulating the most amusing cover story I can as I go. My shocked expression is already in place when I yank the man's hand away from Giulia Russo.
"How could you?" I gasp in faux outrage. "And on our anniversary? You told me you were visiting your cousin in Florida!"
The difference in their reactions is night and day. Her date is flummoxed, blinking and huffing at me in surprise. Giulia is irritatingly difficult to read as she flicks her gaze over me with an eyebrow arched, the careful non-reaction of someone from a mafia family who knows how to play things close to their chest.
Now that I'm closer, I can appreciate her green eyes. She has a modelesque build, a bit tall for a woman but still several inches shorter than myself, with chestnut hair tamed into curls falling down her back. Every movement of hers is controlled as she sizes me up.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Jo Schmoe asks, making a face as he looks me over, straightening and puffing out his chest a little.
"I'm theboyfriend, motherfucker," I huff in fake annoyance, pleased when I catch the Russo girl pressing her lips together and looking heavenward, not quite an eye roll but close.
The man yanks his arm from my grasp and scowls between us. "Amanda said Giulia's single, and I'm sure she wouldn't set me up with her if—"
"Oh, you'resureshe wouldn't, huh? Please. That bitch has been helping my girl sneak behind me for months!" I fold my arms and turn to face Giulia, my back to the man so he won't see when I wink at her. Her eyes narrow. "Now I have proof, huh,Giulia?What do you have to say for yourself? I can't believe you're out here cheating on me when I've been waiting at home exactly how you told me to, wearing nothing but your panties."
It'sincrediblysatisfying to finally get a reaction out of her as Giulia's mouth drops open, and she scowls fiercely. The way her attention immediately snaps to the tables around us makes it clear that she's worried people will overhear this. Obviously, she's far more concerned about her reputation being affected by this than the man beside us, who now looks mildly horrified.
"Okay, whateverthisis, whatever's happening, I'm not a part of it," the man growls, looking from me to Giulia and shaking his head vehemently. "I Don’t care how pretty you are—I Don’t need crazy in my life, and you can tell Amanda I said so. Good luck with whatever the hell this noise is about."
He motions wildly between us before storming out of the restaurant, but only the nearest tables have noticed the small blow-up, and they're quick to look away. The dance floor's music has probably dulled any noise we made because Bruno is the only one scowling over at us from the table in the corner.
I guffaw at the back of the retreating yahoo before smirking at the Russo girl. But she's already composed her face again, only glaring up at me mildly. Still, just that tiny amount of irritation is fun. I step closer, expecting her to shy away from my proximity, but she just holds my gaze and stays mere inches from me.
I wonder if she's put together who I am yet and is simply not letting on? Seems unlikely.
"I'm sure you think you're funny," she drawls.
"Actually, I'mhilarious, and I think you owe me a thank-you."
Giulia arches her brow again, moving slowly as she looks me over again from head to toe. For the life of me, I can't tell what she thinks of what she's seeing—but I know I'm not hard to look at, and I wiggle my eyebrows when she meets my eye again.
"How about it,Russo?Wanna thank me?"
The music changes tempo behind us again, and to my surprise, her lips quirk up into a too-sweet, too-intriguing little smile, and she bats her eyes.
"You're right. Thanks are in order, but this is hardly the place, now is it?"
And then she takes my hand in her small one. I'm surprised by this development, but definitely not going to argue. I'm more curious than anything as she quickly pulls me through the restaurant, across the dance floor, and into a quiet, dark back hallway of the building that must be barely used because it doesn't even look like kitchen staff is coming in here.
As soon as we're alone, I smile down at her. "You wanna thank me in a dark, private hallway, huh? I have to say, I'm excited to see why."
Giulia glances over her shoulder, but her composure melts into burning cold anger when she looks back. Her appearance changes with the expression, finally sluffing off that bland look she's perfected.
Damn. She's even cuter when she's angry.
"You've got a lot of fucking nerve, knowingly messing with a Russo," she growls. "Wherever you and your men are visiting from, you obviously Don’t understand the importance of keeping your nose in your own family's business. I suggest getting the hell out of our territory before another faux pas puts a target on your arrogant head."
Wherever we're visiting from?
This is fantastic. She doesn't know that she's talking to a Giovanni. I ignore her words, my smile broadening as I move closer and place my hands on either side of her head so I can lean closer and still remember to keep my hands to myself. I like what I see, but I never touch without permission.
But maybe she'll give me all the permission I want. If she's so upset I ruined her night, I'd be happy to be her date's stand-in. It'd be much more fun. She wouldn't spend the entire time examining her nails and folding her napkin.
"Why so upset, cutie? Don’t tell me youlikedthat Joe Schmoe back there. You were bored out of your mind the entire dinner—Don’t deny it."
"I wasn't going to."
