Page 58 of The Taste of Deceit

A grin breaks across his face.

“I promise it’s in the budget.”

I laugh.

“Okay.” I smile. “But I have a counteroffer.”

He crosses his arms.

“I’m listening.”

“Instead of spending money on a housekeeper...”

I pause long enough to make him wait.

“...what if we got a couple of horses and boarded them at a local stable?”

A smile spreads across his face.

“I like your plan a whole lot better.”

Chapter 18

Luca

“How was Montana?” Mikey asks the next morning when I pick him up at the estate.

“Great. We had a really good time.”

He nods once, his attention already back on the phone in his hand.

The rest of the drive passes in comfortable silence. I pull away from the estate and make my way toward downtown Los Angeles, the morning commute already in full swing. Traffic crawls in a few spots before finally opening up as we get closer to the business district. Glass office towers rise higher with every block until I turn onto the familiar street leading to Amato Towers. By the time I ease the SUV beneath the covered entrance, Mikey has already slipped his phone back into the inside pocket of his suit jacket.

I climb out and make my way around the front of the SUV, opening Mikey’s door.

He steps onto the sidewalk and straightens the front of his suit jacket.

“Park, then meet me in my office.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Without another word, he heads toward the front entrance while I climb back behind the wheel and pull toward the underground garage.

I pull the SUV into the underground garage and park in my usual spot before shutting off the engine. After grabbing my keys, I make my way to the private elevator reserved for executive staff. The doors slide open almost immediately, carrying me straight to the top floor.

The receptionist looks up as I step into the executive suite.

“Morning, Mr. Amato.”

“Morning.”

She offers a small smile before gesturing toward the closed office at the end of the hallway.

“He’s waiting for you.”

I nod my thanks and make my way down the hall. The familiar scent of polished wood and fresh coffee lingers in the air as I stop outside Mikey’s office. I knock twice against the door.

“Come in,” his voice calls.