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Some meetings are conducted in Italian, so despite me recording, I haven’t been able to write up notes from those. I will have to spend an evening with him so he can translate. The idea is about as appealing as having a verruca dug out with a spoon. Because despite being able to admit he’s impressive in work mode, he’s still Logan.
I reach out for my recorder, preparing to turn it off as today’s meeting wraps up. It’s been with Trent Forde, a Hollywood special effects director who agreed to a meeting while he and his wife, Shona, are here on vacation. Apparently, Shona has an interest in rockets and space, hence his agreement to invest.
I knock the recorder as I pick it up, and it starts playing at full volume.
I mouth,Sorry,to Trent and Logan as the words“Hai un cazzo squisito, princepe del piacere”ring out around the restaurant we’re in, attracting glances from the other diners.
“Spiacente,” I apologize, gesturing to Logan with a shrug and half smile. I don’t want the other customers thinking I’m calling Trent Forde the most annoying man I’ve ever met.Thatwould be embarrassing.
I throw the recorder into my purse and rise from my seat along with Logan and Trent. Trent extends a hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Maddy.”
“The pleasure’s all mine.”
Trent’s grin widens as he shakes Logan’s hand and pats him on the upper arm at the same time. “Nice doing business with you, Prince.”
We say goodbye to Trent outside where Logan’s driver is waiting for us patiently with the car. He opens the rear door as we approach.
“Prince?”
“Just a nickname.” Logan shrugs, gesturing for me to get in first.
I pause. “Actually, I think I’ll walk. It’s a nice night.” I look up the street at all the fairy-lit restaurants with tables out on the street. Each filled with a mix of families, couples, and friends out for a meal together.
“Okay.” Logan nods to his driver.
I swallow down the burst of irritation in my gut as he closes the door before rounding the hood and climbing back in behind the wheel, leaving Logan standing beside me.
Logan holds out a hand, indicating for me to lead the way. He falls into an easy pace beside me as we walk up the street.
“Are you getting close to how much you need to fund the project?” I ask to fill the silence and prevent the conversation from turning to personal topics.
“Slowly but surely.” Logan thrusts his hands deep into his pant pockets as we turn up a small alleyway with a set of stone steps at the end.
“What will you do if you don’t get enough?”
“That can’t happen.”
The sudden seriousness his voice has taken on surprises me.
“It must be a possibility, though? I mean, I don’t know a lot about how much these things cost, but I’m guessing it’s a lot.”
The deepening scowl on his face makes me regret asking. I know he takes his work seriously. But I’ve never seen him thisworriedbefore.
“One hundred and fifty million.”
“What?” I stop walking and turn to face him.
“That’s how much we need to fund the project, give or take. Finish developing the prototype, run test flights. Pay the team involved.”
“Wow, that’s… a lot of paper rounds.”
Logan’s expression softens and he laughs as we walk again. “Sure is. But it’s something that has people excited. I’ll get the funding.”
I don’t ask again what will happen if he can’t. Because as much as I don’t like him, I don’t want to upset him on purpose, either.
As we reach the top of the stone steps, the area opens into a square. It’s filled with people cheering as a newly married couple walk from a building, the bride holding a giant bouquet of calla lilies up in the air.
“Wow, it’s stunning.” I stop and take in the scene as their guests envelop them in hugs and kisses. The bride is wearing the most incredible lace wedding dress I’ve ever seen. And as the groom accepts the well-wishes, he looks back at his bride every few seconds with a look of complete adoration on his face.
