That snapped me out of my fixation, and I rested my hand on Sailor’s lower back to usher her through the lobby. The concierge met us immediately, assuring me all of Dad’s belongings were in his room. Sailor had agreed to wait until he was settled before going to her place to pack, which I thought was for the best. I was confident that once she saw the suite, she’d never want to leave.
We rode silently in the elevator, the four of us keeping our thoughts to ourselves. The concierge ushered us out on our floor, opening Dad’s door and allowing us to enter first. Then he led me and Sailor to the adjoining door, which he’d left ajar in anticipation of our arrival.
“For thesignora,” he said, throwing his arm out with a flourish.
“It’ssignorina, oril dottore,” she corrected.
“My apologies.”
She was such a stickler for all things proper. But I found none of that mattered as she walked over to the window, featuring a breathtaking view of Central Park South and the pond beneath the trees, which looked as if someone had sifted powdered sugarover their tops. Nothing about the opulently-appointed rooms mattered to her nearly as much as the view, if her captivated attention was any indication. Her slender fingers crept up her throat, splayed over her jaw as she stared, transfixed.
And I found I was transfixed as well. Not with the view out the window, though apparently I took it for granted too. No, I was transfixed byil buon dottore, as my father had called her. Even in this relaxed state, her posture was impeccable. Her hair fluttered when she moved, finally turning in a slow circle to take in her room.
I was right about that; she’d never want to leave after getting a look at it. Our eyes met and locked, and I felt rooted to the spot. I’d won the fight, but at what cost to me?
“If that is all,signori?” the concierge asked, interrupting my thoughts.
Tearing my gaze from Sailor, I replied, “That’s all, thank you.”
What the fuck had I just done to myself?
Chapter Nine
Sailor
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't tear my gaze from Noah’s profile as we ate dinner in Benito’s room. He was talking about his childhood, and I was fascinated by the story, yet my mind kept wandering to the shape of his jaw and the way his dark hair had gotten long enough to curl over the tips of his ears. Where I’d assumed we would have to get dressed up and go to one of the hotel restaurants, he’d instead ordered dinner to be served in his father’s suite. It was more intimate that way, and perhaps that was why I struggled.
“So, Vicki is bashing me over the head with her favorite doll, and Dad is laughing his ass off because I was getting exactly what I deserved.”
Benito added, “And your mother was yelling at you both to quit antagonizing each other.”
“I enjoyed Vicki’s reactions, I suppose. The beating was fair after the way I butchered her doll’s hair.” Crease lines around his mouth became more evident when he grinned, and then he turned to face me. “Maybe you should be grateful you didn't have an older brother.”
My smile wasn't nearly as full as his when I responded. “You may have fought when you were younger, but you always had each other’s backs.”
As opposed to me, who was constantly lonely.
He studied my mouth for a second before his gaze moved up to meet mine. “You’re right. Now that we’re older, I no longer take my sister for granted.”
This side of Noah confused me. Charming, friendly, not stubborn or rude. Not the menacing man he’d been a few short days ago. The attack on his house had changed his attitude toward me for the better.
“You two should go dancing,” Benito said abruptly.
My head swiveled in his direction. “I’m sorry?”
“Don't stay stuck inside these four walls with an old man. Go out and have fun.”
Pursing my lips, I glanced from him to his son. I didn't particularly want Noah touching me. “I don’t know how to dance.”
“Someone as smart as you would pick it up in no time. Besides, I don’t mean ballroom dancing with complicated steps,cara mio. Just swaying back and forth.”
Noah cleared his throat. “It’s not really advisable to go out right now. In this weather,” he quickly added.
Did he think he was fooling me? For that matter, did anyone outside this room buy his facade? Surely the world knew he was a criminal. “Honestly, I’d rather curl up with a book than step all over Noah’s toes.”
Benito smiled gently. “The nightlife is one of our city’s perks.”
It felt dangerously close to a matchmaking scheme, and panic crawled up my throat at the reminder that I was their enemy. I couldn't afford to let my guard down for even a second. Even so, my reports since the accident had been brief and to the point. The Costas knew nothing; therefore, I knew nothing. No one had physically come to check on me to keep from blowing everyone’s cover, and that was how I preferred it. The last thing I wanted was anyone fawning over me and my injuries.
