Page 36 of A Dangerous Kind of Love

“Mr. Amato, good morning. We didn’t know what time to expect you. We don’t have breakfast prepared,” she says.

“Beatrice,” he says warmly, “it’s alright. I’m only here to change.”

He looks down at me.

“This is Katie.”

Beatrice’s face brightens immediately.

“Miss Katie,” she says with a smile. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Beatrice, do you think you could take Katie up to my room? I’ll be up shortly.”

What?

“Of course.”

I turn and run straight into Michael’s chest.

“Where are you going?”

His hands settle on my arms.

“I’ve got a few loose ends I need to deal with. Work stuff. It’ll take forty-five minutes, tops.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I whisper.

Behind him, Luca and Marco look at me before averting their eyes somewhere else.

“Doll,” he says patiently, “I promise I’ll get it done as quickly as possible, and then I’m taking you to breakfast. If you don’t want to sit in my room, Beatrice can show you the grounds.”

I sigh dramatically. “This sucks.”

His mouth twitches.

“Now,” he murmurs, rubbing my arms, “it’s adorable when you pout, but I really do need to take care of this.”

I close my eyes and exhale.

“Fine, but you better hurry.”

“I promise.”

Then he leans down and kisses me. Right there in the foyer, with Marco, Luca, Beatrice, and the household staff standing a few feet away. His hand slides up to the back of my neck as he pulls me closer, completely unconcerned with the audience.

Chapter 13

Michael

Iwatch as Beatrice guides Katie out to the gardens. Of course she chose that instead of my room.

“I need clothes,” I say to no one in particular.

“Yes, Mr. Amato,” Maria answers immediately, already moving toward the stairs.

I head that way as well, Marco and Luca falling into step beside me.

“What do we know?”