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"No, it's a good place to start," Luca said quickly. "Can you think of anyone that might have it out for you?"
"No, and I've lived here for about five years now. I've never had any problems with anyone."
"Not here, at least," I added. "I only told Tashi and Paolo about finding my mate, but as you well know, information always has a way of leaking out. You might look into any recent threats against me. If people knew René was my true mate, they could use him as leverage to get me out of the picture."
René groaned, gaining both mine and Luca's attention.
"What,gattino?" I asked.
"I'm going to have bodyguards in my future, aren't I?"
I chuckled and nodded. We'd already discussed this, but I think this was the first time it really sank in for René. "I'm trying to be understanding of your life choices. You're lucky you're not getting an entire unit of guards."
He would be guarded by as many guards as I could spare. I would just make sure he never saw them. As of the moment I sank my fangs into his pretty little neck, he became my most treasured possession. I was going to guard him zealously.
"René and I are headed back to the hotel," I said. "If anything comes up, you can reach us there for the next week. After that, we'll be here."
Luca's jaw dropped as he slowly glanced around. "Here, sir?"
"Hey!" René protested. "There's nothing wrong with my loft."
"No, of course not," Luca said quickly. "This just isn't the sort of place Prince Alessandro usually hangs out in."
"Well, it is now," René snapped. "If he wants to claim me, he has to accept all of me, and that includes my life."
"Of course, Consort René." Luca bowed again. "My apologies."
I smirked when René rolled his eyes. I liked this side of him. Granted, I knew at some point it would aggravate the shit out of me, but right now, watching him put Luca in his place, it was amusing as hell.
Especially since that stubborn streak wasn't currently aimed in my direction.
"Why don't you go pack some stuff to stay over?" I suggested.
René didn't even reply. He just turned and walked to a divider on the far side of the room and disappeared. Watching him walk away from me would have been more upsetting if I didn't get to see his nicely rounded ass move in those tight slacks.
Damn, my mate was built well.
"He's an interesting one, Alessandro."
I snorted at Luca's quick change to a less formal address. "He hates high society and anything to do with it." I turned to look at Luca. "You'll get a whole lot more cooperation out of him if you just treat him like a regular person."
Luca's brow flickered in confusion. "You mean he isn't dazzled by your handsome good looks and your very large pocketbook?"
"He could care less."
"Huh." Luca started to grin. "He might be a keeper then."
"I certainly think so."
And I had every intention of keeping him.
"I really need you to hear me when I say that finding whoever attacked René is your top priority. I refuse to have him in danger one second longer. I want this guy caught."
"Or girl," Luca corrected. "You've dated a lot of men and women over the years, Alessandro. It could be anyone."
I shook my head. "You didn't see René's injuries when they were fresh. I doubt there are many women out there that could do that type of damage."
Luca frowned as he glanced toward the partition where René had disappeared to. "He didn't look that bad, Alessandro."
