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“Then we have a deal.” I can no longer hold back the wicked smile that forms on my lips. This is it. Everything is falling into place. “Keep me up to date. I want to know what to expect, and when, so I can fully enjoy the show.”
Baron grunts in response. “You’re fucked up. It’s one of your better qualities. Will do.”
He ends the call.
I lean back in my chair, letting the reality of what I’ve put in motion fully sink in. The clock is ticking, a countdown to Kozlov’s ruin, and music to my ears. I’ve waited six long years for this day. All I have to do now is keep up this charade with my temporary fiancée and watch Kozlov fall. Then, in less than three months, my life will be mine again.
I’m looking forward to peace. A time in the future when I will no longer be consumed by this need for revenge. My days will be quiet, my sole focus on my company, and a different woman in my bed every week if I want. I’ve been too focused on my plans and my company to give much thought to women until now.
But that’s the perfect life.
No wife, no children, and above all else, no one to betray me.
Waking my computer, I initiate the bank transfer to Niall Bane in payment for the information he provided to Baron. Niall owns a security company with an army of private investigators on his payroll. If you want information on anyone, Niall is the man for the job.
But digging up dirt is as close to the criminal underground as he’s willing to get. If you want something done with that information… that’s where Baron comes in. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty for the right price.
As soon as Niall is paid, I pop up his contact via text.
Roman De Luca:
Baron confirmed receipt of information. I’ve paid your fee.
Niall Bane:
Received. If you need anything else, you know where to find me.
I close the app and set my phone on the desk.
Done, and done.
CHAPTER5
Sophia
“You must be Miss Pontrelli,” says a middle-aged woman, dressed in a simple black uniform, as she steps into the kitchen. “I’m the housekeeper, Diana.”
Her friendly smile immediately puts me at ease. Since Roman disappeared earlier, I’ve helped myself to another pour of bourbon and been lost in terrible, spiraling thoughts.
“It’s nice to meet you, Diana. Please, you can call me Sophia.”
“Very well, Sophia.” She gives me an assessing once over. “You must be freezing in nothing but that delicate dress. Come, I’ll show you to your room.”
“Thank you.” There’s no reason to be rude to the staff. They probably secretly hate Roman as much as I do.
She leads me back through the foyer to the curving double staircase, then along a wide hallway to the last door on the right. The room itself can only be described as grand. A king bed sits among robust furniture. One door leads to a walk-in closet, the other to an enormous ensuite. The double French doors open onto a private balcony overlooking a terraced backyard that fades into dense forest.
Diana motions toward my suitcases. “I had your luggage brought up. If there’s anything else you need, either come downstairs or press the call button on your nightstand. Can I get you anything else right now, Miss Sophia?”
I’ve probably had a little too much booze but I’m not hungry. If anything, I just need a good night's sleep. So I tell her, “I’m fine for now, thank you.”
She nods. “Very well. The cook’s name is Luis. At some point, you might see Rafael, the groundskeeper, though he is quite reclusive. In fact, I’m not sure if I’ve laid eyes on him yet this year and it’s almost March. Anyway, we occupy the East wing of the house, so we’re never far if you need anything.”
“What about Roman? Where does he spend time at home?”
“His office is on the main floor, and his bedroom is right across the hall from yours.”
The thought of him sleeping so close makes my skin prickle with the awareness of his proximity.
