Page 16 of The Strength Of A Woman

He sort of told me that. Not that he doesn’t care, but that I’m on my own. Be that as it may, I can’t get out of this situation without his help.

People might say an arranged marriage is not the end of the world. After all, most marriages in this type of life are more or less negotiated, an agreement.

It’s a matter of luck to be paired up with someone you have something in common with and end up caring for.

But doesn’t life do that sort of thing to normal people, too?

Unsatisfied with every piece of clothing I’m considering for my secret mission, I drop a hand into my pocket and pull out my phone.

It’s been fifteen minutes. Only?

She probably couldn’t reach that man, Cosimo. Or she did, and his answer wasn’t what I had hoped for.

I peer at my clothes again, struggling to focus, when a soft noise at the door makes me flick my eyes toward the bedroom.

In a flash, I tear away from the racks of clothing and dash into the other room.

I can tell from her expression as she enters my room that the news is bad.

Her faded light-green dress looks like a painful memory when our eyes meet.

“So?” I mutter, bracing myself.

It takes her a moment.

“The good news, depending on how you take it, is that he’s still here. The bad news is…”

Her voice trails off.

“I’m listening.”

“He couldn’t tell me the exact address. Callum has instructed him to keep it confidential.”

I plant my hands on my hips.

“In case I asked, I assume. I suspect Giorgio and Sylvia know where he lives.”

“They probably do.”

“Okay. Did you tell him that I needed to see his boss?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Did he ask Callum?”

“No. He didn’t have to. Callum’s instructions were pretty clear.”

“Hmm.”

I cross my arms over my chest, my eyes dipping to the floor for a second.

“Was there anything in the conversation that could’ve clued you in on where exactly he is staying? Is he in town? Outside? I suppose he’s renting, isn’t he?”

I see no reason why Callum O’Hara would own property in this part of the world.

It’s not like it wouldn't make sense. It’s just that there is nothing here to tie him to this place.

He and Bianca have never left New York.