Page 38 of A Dangerous Kind of Love

I stop a few feet from her and slide my hands into the pockets of my slacks, letting my eyes drift past her shoulder into the house behind her.

“Is Rosalia here?” I ask.

“Uh—yes. She’s right inside.” Her brows pull together slightly. “May I ask what this is about?”

My gaze drops back to her.

“No.”

I step forward. Camilla shifts instinctively to the side as I pass her. My shoulder brushes the edge of the doorframe as I walk into the house.

“Michael.”

Rosalia stands in the foyer, staring at me like she can’t quite believe I’m standing in her house. Her eyes are wide as she smooths her hands down the front of the T-shirt she’s wearing, tugging it lower over a pair of cotton sleep shorts.

“Rosalia. Our engagement.”

Her eyes light up. The reaction is so quick it’s almost painful to watch. She looks relieved.

“Is over,” I finish.

The relief drains from her face.

“What did you say?”

Camilla’s voice cuts through the foyer behind me. I turn to face her.

“The engagement is over,” I say evenly. “Rosalia and I will no longer be getting married.”

“You can’t be serious.”

I study her for a moment and step forward. The movement is small, but she reacts instantly. She backs up as her composure cracks.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Amato,” she says quickly. “It came as such a shock. I apologize for my response.”

“Where is your husband?”

“He left early this morning on business,” Camilla says, staring at the floor.

“Business,” I repeat. “Yes. He does seem to find himself involved in quite a bit of that.”

She lifts her eyes but stays silent.

I laugh.

“Speaking of business,” I say. “The five million is still forgiven, but if your husband ever finds himself needing my help again, the price will be very different.”

I turn back to Rosalia. The shock has drained from her face and something colder replaces it.

“I see,” she says.

Her eyes flick briefly to her mother before returning to me.

“I suppose congratulations are in order,” she says. “Whoever she is.”

I step forward, my tall frame crowding her space.

“Let’s be honest,” I say calmly. “I agreed to marry you so my parents could have grandchildren.”