AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I wanted to bathe in it.
I don't know how long I sat there with my face buried in the jacket, but the moment the door started to open, I lowered it to my lap. No sense in letting others see how affected I was by my mate's sweet scent.
Tashi climbed in and sat down across from me. He kept his lips pressed together until the door closed.
"Did you find Castellano?"
"Yes, sir. His aide reported that he is dining with a friend at a restaurant downtown. I have the address."
"Good." My hand clenched in the leather. "Take me there at once."
"Of course, sir." Tashi pulled out his cell phone and dialed. He rattled off an address downtown and then the car started moving.
I turned my gaze out the window, not really seeing the scenery as we passed it by. What was to see? Buildings? Cement? Humans? While Rome had a lot of tourist venues, I never really got to see any of them. I was always too busy conducting business and keeping my gryphons out of the eyes of humans.
I was not impressed by how long it took us to get to the restaurant downtown, but I suppose it was to be expected. It was the height of the tourist season, and the streets of Rome were not exactly straight.
By the time Tashi got out and checked the area for danger, I was ready to sink my claws into him. Once he gave the all clear, I climbed out of the limo and headed for the entrance of the restaurant.
I knew the moment that I stepped inside the quaint little place that this was not a five-star restaurant. It was a place you brought a lover. The candlelight, soft music, and intimate seating were all designed to seduce.
Made me wonder what Lord Castellano was doing here with a "friend" if his wife was out at a club. It also made me wonder about the nature of her relationship with my mate as he had been listed as a guest.
And that made a kernel of rage ignite in my gut.
The maître d' met us as soon as we walked in. He glanced beyond me for a moment. "How many?"
"I'm here to see Lord Castellano."
The man was clearly startled by the vehemence in my voice. He jerked back, his eyes rounding. "Of course, sir. If you will follow me?"
I'd met Lord Armando Castellano a few times, mostly at social gatherings, but once or twice for business. I spotted him right away. I waved a hand at Tashi and pushed past the maître d'. I knew Tashi would deal with the man.
Lord Castellano was holding hands with the man sitting across the table from him, telling me more than anything that this was not simply a friend. Both of them looked up when I sat down in the chair on the side of their table.
"Prince Vitali."
"Lord Castellano." I glanced at the other man.
"This is my friend Pierre."
Friend my ass.
I dismissed him and returned my attention to Lord Castellano. "Your wife visited a club downtown this evening. Who was she with?"
Castellano's eyes darted to his companion. "I...err..."
I was surprised by the concern in his eyes when he glanced back. "Was there an issue?" he asked. "Did something happen?"
"There was an altercation with some humans outside of the club. Your wife's companion left his jacket behind. I merely wish to return it to him. It looks like an expensive jacket."
I wasn't exactly telling the truth, but I wasn't lying either.
Castellano's relief was instant. "I can return it to him."
"I want to know who he is."
Castellano's brow flickered with unease. "My sonRené."
