That’s even worse. No, wait, what do you mean?
Buy the earrings, Lake.
Fifteen minutes later, an image of three pairs of earrings lights my screen.
HELP.
The pair in the middle.
Thank you.
What’s the strawberry emoji mean? Should I respond? How do I respond when I don’t know what it means? I could research. What a terrible waste of time. But is it? Why am I even debating this? Just heart the stupid emoji.
I heart it.
Lake doesn’t know I’ve never hearted a single message in all my life.
TWENTY-EIGHT
CHANGE OF PLANS
Lake
I’m wearing a million-dollar outfit. The dress wraps around my body, hugging me in all the places that make me appear decadent. I’ve never felt sexier in my life. I sashay into the main space and spot Alessio on the phone by the terrace doors. He should be in a meeting.
A pair of men with military-style haircuts and wearing suits stand on either side of Leo’s door. Since it’s nine in the evening, Alessio might have tucked him in, which was what I’d intended to do.
“Hi,” I greet them. They nod and stare at the floor.
A throat clears behind me. Oh, more guards. A pair of men stands on either side of our bedroom door. Wow, see? This is why I make a crappy spy. I’m completely unaware of my surroundings.
“Sorry. Hi, didn’t see you there.”
One of them smirks before his gaze drops.
My heels click over the marble floor as I make my way to the couch, but Alessio turns, does a double take, and immediately hangs up the phone. He strides toward me, and I retreat until my back hits the bedroom door between the pair of men.
Alessio pins me. A hand sneaks under the dress that barely covers my bottom, and he grabs my ass, first with one hand, then the other. He lifts me.
My cheeks must be the color of a ripe strawberry. “There’re people here,” I whisper.
“And?”
“And… I don’t know.”
“You bought blue panties?” he asks.
“Annette told me it’s your favorite color.”
“Is that when you showed her the picture I sent your ex?”
I glance at the man next to me, who remains staring at the floor, but he’s not hard of hearing. At least, I assume he isn’t, and neither is his buddy. Which makes my cheeks flame even more.
“Matt over here doesn’t have an answer, do you, Matt?”
“No, sir.”
“There’s no reason to look at him now, is there, Lake?” Alessio grinds his teeth. “Is there, Lake?”
