Vinny smacked him across the head. “Just suck it up and call her. She might be exactly what we need to find Julius Dimakos out in the open.”
“She’s that good?” I asked as the two scrooges strolled back into my office.
“Yes, she really is,” Vinny confirmed. “It’s a shame she won’t go on payroll though.”
I nodded. “Vinny’s right. Suck it up, Tore. I want this done and over with by the end of the week. It’s time Dimakos understands what it means to lose everything.”
“What do we do about the wife situation?”
I smirked internally. “Get it done. Forge her signature and file it. We don’t have the time to wait. What she doesn’t know won’thurt her. If we go on a few public outings, it’ll be real enough for Giambrone.”
Vinny whistled outward. “How romantic.”
This wasn’t about romance, but there was something particularly satisfying in knowing Ainsley Burch was about to be my wife, whether she knew it or not. Damn to hell all the reasons this was a bad idea because the little minx was mine.
Chapter 36
Iexhaledhard,glancingup from my phone at the passing buildings and streetlights in Santa Monica. Starting with the helicopter trip from San Francisco to Santa Monica and now this drive from the helipad to the restaurant, so far I was alone on this so-called date Renzo organized. Well, I had Ricco for company up in the front seat, but as my constant bodyguard, he hardly counted. Honestly, my romantic expectations at this point weren’t high, but Renzo was already failing miserably. If Bee’s predictions were true, it was only going to get worse.
It’d been three days since our agreement to set up one date. With med school out for summer vacation, I stayed at Tore’s home to help with the kids. Renzo did too, apparently needing the noise. We crossed paths often enough, but compared to that first day, there were no lingering looks, no innuendos, no soft touches. For all intents and purposes, we were little more than acquaintances. Out loud, the words we exchanged were to the point or guarded. The general attitude was cold and dismissive. It felt purposeful.
Messaging was different. We spent hours sending back-to-back messages. Our conversations went on and on, with no end in sight. We shared every detail about ourday—more on my end, but that had always been the case. Renzo wasn’t a huge talker or sharer. He sent me random emojis, always asking how I was doing. A “good morning” text before I even got up. A “sleep well” text no later than ten. Soft updates as he tracked down Julius Dimakos. Random tidbits about how he was adapting outside of prison. It was open and inviting.
Then we’d cross at breakfast or in the hall, and it was like he was an entirely different person. At this point, I wasn’t sure if I was being misled or not. It was like he’d verbally regressed to how our exchanges had been years ago, before he went to prison.
My phone buzzed again.
Bee
There’s still time to turn back.
I need to do this. I need to see for myself where he places me in his life, if at all.
I reserved a room for us at the Oceana. My flight lands in five hours. If you’re not there when I arrive, I’ll assume I was wrong.
Coincidences do happen.
I think we both know this isn’t one.
“We’re here,” Ricco said.
On cue, my door opened. I slid my feet out as a hand extended in front of me. Its owner smoothly helped me out, letting my silk dress fall gently around me. Who would’ve thought Renzo Iannelli could be a gentleman?
His smile was all charming arrogance, matching how crisp and stylish he looked in a three-piece suit that fit him like a glove. Brawn and brain all in one package. He was too handsome for his own good and for my sanity.
“Oh, there you are.” I tugged my hand out of his.
“Miss me?”
“Can’t miss what you never had.”
He swept around a bouquet of red roses and germini from behind his back. “These are for you.”
“You pick them yourself?” I dug my nose in for their scent.
“I also have this.” From inside his suit jacket, he produced a rectangular box. It held a delicate gemmed palm tree on an island of sand made of diamonds, emeralds, and yellow garnets. I didn’t get to protest as he fitted it around my neck. “This way you can travel to the beach wherever you are.”
My cheeks heated, but I forced myself to keep my face straight. “You’re asking me for forgiveness already?”
