“We went through them at the time,” I say. “Carefully reviewing everything because it seemed important he’d keep them at the house. They were mostly intelligence reports, details of business deals, and money in and out etcetera. Nothing stood out.”
“Yet you still kept them,” Pagano says.
“The one thing our father instilled in us was the need for insurance,” my twin says. “It seemed remiss to just toss the files. We didn’t know when they might come in handy, so I had a small storage room installed in the office and secured the files in there. Only Caleb and I have access via a retinal scanner. It has an alarm system, and we have cameras inside so if anyone breaches the room we’d know immediately.”
“We need to find what my father was looking for in those files.” Massimo’s gaze dances between us.
“I’ll go through them with a fine-tooth comb,” J says.
“I’ll help,” Ben adds. “I was around for part of your father’s time in charge, and something might stand out to me.”
Chapter Seventeen
Elisa
Iclimb out of the taxi, holding the gift-wrapped parcel under one arm, and smile as Seb approaches, looking handsome in slim-fit designer jeans, a crisp white shirt, and a black blazer. His signature loafers cover his feet.
“Let me take that,” he says, snatching the gift from under my arm.
“Thanks.”
“You look gorgeous,” he adds, his gaze raking appreciatively over my figure-hugging party dress before he leans in to kiss me.
“You look good too.” Looping my arm through his, I cling to his side as we walk toward the exclusive club where Joshua is hosting Gia’s twenty-third birthday party. I’m on edge, and not just because I’m dressed way more provocatively than normal.
I haven’t seen Caleb in five weeks, and I know he’s going to try to talk to me tonight.
Initially, in the week following my visit to his apartment, he bombarded me with texts and pleading messages. Then there was radio silence until a week ago when he appears to have upped the ante. Much to my boyfriend’s chagrin. Seb is not a fan of Caleb or his recent attempts to woo me. My apartment smells like a flower shop, and our living space is inundated with lilies,roses, orchids, and tons of other flowers, thanks to Caleb’s daily deliveries. Beatrice isn’t impressed, but I think it’s just jealousy talking.
The other reason I’m nervous is because tonight is the first time my parents, Romeo, Rowan, and Gia will be meeting my boyfriend, and I really want them to like him. Although he doesn’t set my world on fire, and he’s definitely not endgame, I’m enjoying dating Sebastien. We meet for lunch on campus a few days a week and enjoy dates a couple of nights a week. He texts me daily, making his intentions clear without smothering me. He’s a decent guy, and I feel cherished, so I’m going to go with the flow for as long as this thing plays out.
We make our way inside the busy club, giving our names to the man standing guard at the door to the VIP section, which Joshua has reserved for the night.
We climb the stairs and enter the plush private space that is already heaving with partygoers. Noisy conversation, raucous laughter, and loud music accost my eardrums from all directions. The clear glass wall on our left overlooks the main club downstairs. A small square dance floor abuts the wall, and it’s already filling up with gregarious guests. Beats thump through speakers from the DJ booth at the back of the room. A half-moon-shaped bar is tucked into one corner, and the rest of the place is a mix of velvet-backed circular booths and tall glossy tables and stools.
“Incoming,” I murmur, smiling as Rowan walks toward us.
“Woah, sexy. Look at you!” He grabs me into a hug, lifting me off my feet.
“Put me down before I flash my panties to the entire place.” I’m not even joking. My lilac bodycon dress is short though not indecent. It hits mid-thigh, and I’m flashing a lot of leg.
The second I spotted this in the store, I knew it was the perfect choice for tonight. The tight minidress is adorned withheart-shaped, iridescent, crystal-encrusted embellishments. Wide lilac-pink straps crisscross over my shoulders and in an X at my back. It dips dangerously low, just about covering my ass. My hair and makeup were professionally done, and I feel like a million dollars. The hairdresser went for a wavy beach style with a neat braided headband to keep hair out of my eyes.
“You must be Seb.” Rowan loses the flirty tone and grin as he eyeballs my date.
“This is my cousin Rowan,” I explain, warning Rowan with my eyes to back off.
“Nice to meet you.” Seb smiles while curling his arm around my back, keeping me tucked into his side.
“Elisa is practically my sister,” Rowan says, maintaining eye contact with Seb. “If you hurt her, you’ll have me to deal with.” He flexes his bulging biceps, ensuring the message is delivered.
“And me.” Romeo appears beside Rowan, skimming his gaze up and down Seb’s length with obvious wariness.
“Cut it out, you two. You’re being rude.” I glance up at Seb. “This is my brother Romeo. He’s definitely more bark than bite.”
“Elisa talks about you all the time.” Seb’s tone is warm, his expression casual. “You’re at Yale, right?”
“Yes, but I have access to a chopper, and I can be in New York within forty minutes.” He drills him with a pointed look, and there’s no need to articulate the meaning.
