She smiled enigmatically. “In paradise.”
Salvini’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Paradise?”
Enough of this. I grabbed the phone and stood, deliberately blocking her view of the screen. This exchange had already gone on too long, revealed too much.
“Tell me where to meet. And it better be a five-star resort—Jemma and I are on our honeymoon, after all,” Salvini said, his tone shifting to something harder, more calculating.
I glanced down at Shorty, noting the smug satisfaction in her expression before looking back at the screen. Frustration built in my chest—this entire situation was spiraling beyond my control.
“All you Salvinis are actually a giant pain in the ass,” I muttered, running a hand over my face. I wasn’t accustomed to having my authority so blatantly challenged, especially not by someone who should be intimidated by their circumstances. “I’ll send a jet; make sure to bring swimwear as there’s a strict no-nudity rule—” I turned to glare pointedly at Shorty, then ended the call before Salvini could respond.
“Did something happen between the two of you?” the quiet twin asked, her voice hesitant, her gaze darting back and forth between us.
Now that would be interesting. I waited for Shorty’s answer to that question.
Shorty’s expression flickered with momentary guilt. “No, nothing happened,” she said quickly.
I raised an eyebrow at the obvious lie. The memory of her naked body rising from the pool, water streaming down her curves, flashed unbidden through my mind.
“Can we go back to our room then?” her sister asked, shifting uncomfortably. “I really need to go.”
I studied her for a moment, recognizing the subtle signs of discomfort. Three seconds was all it took to make my decision. I turned and opened the door.
“Nina, we need you real quick,” I called.
Nina appeared immediately, and the quiet twin followed her without hesitation, leaving Shorty and me alone in the small room. The silence stretched between us, charged with unspoken tension.
“You do know women,” she finally said, leaning back in her chair with studied casualness. “The way you just knew my sister needed to use the bathroom. Most men wouldn’t catch on to something like that.”
I couldn’t help the slight smile that tugged at my lips. “I’m not most men, Shorty.” I moved closer, deliberately invading her space. “I notice everything about the people in my care.”
“Is that what we are? In your care?” She tilted her head, challenge written across her features. “You’ve got a funny way of showing it.”
“Would you prefer I treated you like actual prisoners?” I lowered my voice, the question emerging more intimate than intended. “Because I can arrange that if you’re feeling neglected.”
She snorted, unimpressed. “No, thanks. I prefer my current accommodations.”
I studied her for a moment, struck again by how she fit exactly what Grey had described. “I know that look because of Nina and Mila. Women have tells when they need something but are too polite to say it out loud.”
“So you’re some kind of women whisperer now?” A teasing note crept into her voice, surprising me with its lack of hostility.
“Only when it matters. And for someone who matters.” The words slipped out before I could censor them. I shifted topics quickly. “Your family is…interesting. The way Vince looked at you—can all of your brothers immediately tell you apart?”
Her body tensed momentarily before she forced herself to relax. A tell. “Of course they can. We’re family.”
I nodded, filing away her reaction. “And Vince, as the oldest, is always protecting everyone,” I stated.
“Vince has always been protective. But after our mother died, he stepped up even more.” Her expression softened when speaking about her brother—genuine affection there.
“Jemma seems fine,” I observed, watching her reaction carefully.
She nodded, a genuine smile transforming her face. “She’s good for him. Makes him less…intense.”
I absorbed this information, struck by how easily we’d shifted from antagonism to something approaching a normal conversation. Her ability to adapt was remarkable.
“You were at La Dimora before the wedding—you already know—so what’s up with the questions?” she asked suddenly, those sharp eyes missing nothing.
“Just trying to figure things out,” I replied honestly.
