“There you are,” he says, smiling at me. “I was hoping I’d catch you.”
Mom beams. “Andreas! What a lovely surprise.”
No kidding it’s a surprise. How did he find us here? It’s like he’s been following us.
“I was in the neighborhood and couldn’t resist stopping by to see my beautiful bride.” He kisses my cheek, and I force myself not to pull away. “Wedding shopping?”
“Lingerie shopping,” Mom says with a conspiratorial smile. “For the wedding night.”
Andreas’s eyes light up in a way that makes me want to be sick. “How wonderful. I can’t wait.”
“Ariana,” Andreas greets my sister. Then his eyes find Gerardo, standing near the entrance. “And Gerardo. Good to see you again.”
Gerardo nods politely. “Mr. Montoni.”
“Actually, Gerardo, I’m glad you’re here.” Andreas approaches him, his manner casual and friendly.
Mom beckons me over to look at more negligees, but I keep one ear pricked to hear my fiancé’s conversation.
“I wanted to thank you personally for taking such good care of Lucy. I know Don Carlucci only assigns his best men to family protection.”
Here it comes. I can feel it. He’s going to do it again. Fish for information while pretending to make conversation.
“Just doing my job, sir,” Gerardo says.
“Of course, of course.” Andreas lowers his voice, but I’m close enough to hear. “I’ve been meaning to ask, with the wedding coming up soon, I want to make sure I understand the security protocols. As Lucy’s future husband, I need to know how to keep her safe.”
My heart starts pounding. Andreas is so confident to the point of being blatant.
Gerardo’s expression remains neutral. “You should discuss security arrangements with Don Carlucci, Mr. Montoni.”
“Absolutely, absolutely. But you’re the one who’s with her day-to-day. What kind of rotations are you running? How many bodyguards and enforcers do the Barones have?”
“Security protocols are confidential, sir.”
Andreas holds up his hands in a placating gesture. “I’m not asking for specifics. I just want to know if Barone security is being stretched too thin. Should I coordinate more closely with Don Carlucci’s security team?”
“That would be a conversation for you and Don Carlucci.”
“You’re right, you’re right.” Andreas nods, but he’s not done. He leans in closer, his voice dropping even lower. “Between you and me, I’ve noticed the warehouse schedules have changed recently. More frequent shipments, different routes. Is that because of the Sokolis?”
I see Gerardo’s jaw tighten, like he suspects what Andreas is doing. “Mr. Montoni, I don’t discuss business operations. If you have questions about warehouse schedules or shipment routes, you need to speak with Don Carlucci.”
“Of course. You’re absolutely right.” Andreas backs off. “I apologize if I overstepped. I’m just trying to be helpful. I’m going to be family soon, after all.”
“I understand, sir.”
But Gerardo’s tone suggests he understands something very different than what Andreas is implying. His eyes are hard, suspicious. He knows Andreas was seeking information.
Good. Let him be suspicious. I have the photos from the Sokoli meeting. I have his questions from the engagement dinner. And now Gerardo has seen him fish for information. The evidence is mounting.
At home,I carry the embossed paper carrier bag containing my bridal lingerie upstairs to my room. Damiano appears in my doorway a moment later. He’s wearing black pants and a blackshirt with the sleeves rolled up and pushed past his elbows. His dark eyes are stormy, his curls are falling into his eyes, and the viper tattoo on his arm hisses menacingly. He looks so good that I want to throw myself into his arms and beg him to make me forget every horrible thing that’s happening to us.
He eyes the carrier bag curiously. “What’s that?”
I hesitate, not wanting to torment him even more than I already am, but Damiano’s not going to go away until I tell him something. “Lingerie.”
His gaze sharpens, and he strides into my room. “Bridal lingerie?” He takes the carrier bag from me and looks inside, transfixed by the sight. He swallows with effort and says huskily, “Lucy. You’ll look beautiful in these.”
