I don’t get her entirely to myself until the next evening when I take her to dinner at a quaint little French restaurant on the other side of town.
I brought her here because it’s far away from where most people in our circle travel. It’s also discreet.
We spend hours talking and I love listening to her even if I don’t get some of her music or what she loves about helping people talk through their problems.
“You have to listen to my Goo Goo Dolls album when we get back.” She bubbles and her ponytail bounces.
I chuckle at the thought of me listening to music like that. “Baby, can you really see me listening to Goo Goo Dolls?”
“Yes, you’ll love it.”
I reach for her hand, but just as I’m about to take it, something catches my attention. I look to my left and find myself staring at Lorenzo standing on the second-floor balcony.
My hand stills on the table and my insides twist as our eyes lock and neither of us looks away.
What the fuck is he doing here?
If memory serves me correctly, Lorenzo hates the French as much as he hates their food. Since I already know about his suspicions, I don’t think this is some chance meeting. My gut is telling me he’s here because he’s watching us.
And he wants me to know it. That’s why the motherfucker has emerged from the shadows like a bad dream, eager to make his presence known.
Quickly I mull over what I did with Megan. I never kissed her, and I didn’t touch her too much, but I know we look like we’re on a date. Because we are.
Megan continues her chatter, oblivious to Lorenzo.
I look away from him and back at her, but out of the corner of my eye, I notice when he moves from where he stood. A quick look back confirms he’s not there anymore.
“Baby, let’s get out of here and listen to some of that music.” I tap the back of her hand and grin.
“I’d love that. Let me just run to the ladies quickly. Then I’ll be ready to go.”
I nod and she saunters away.
I pay the bill and wait by the archway near the ladies bathrooms, hoping Megan hurries so we can leave soon.
My hopes die when Lorenzo approaches me with an uncanny smile plastered on his wrinkly face.
Shit.He’s smiling. That’s never good.
“Buona serata.” He dips his head. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“I was going to say the same thing about you. What are you doing here, Lorenzo?” It’s best not to waste time with small talk about shit and pleasantries.
“Meeting a client.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, they just left.”
He’s lying. I know he is. This isn’t the type of place he’d meet clients. Not that there’s anything wrong with this restaurant. It’s just not his scene. His ass is far too pompous.
“I hope things went well.” I decide to play along.
“Always.” His shit-eating grin grows and the suspicion I feared drips from his piercing stare. “I see you’ve been taking care of Cristiano’s fiancée quite well.”
“He has a meeting, so I was keeping her company.”
“She’s fortunate.” He inclines his head and runs a hand over his gray beard. “With you guys around, I’m sure she’ll never be bored.”
“No, she won’t.”
“Well, have a nice night. See you in Italy.”
I dip my head and keep my eyes on him as he walks away. When he goes through the door, I get out my phone and call Cristiano. He answers on the first ring.
“What’s going on?”
“We have a problem. Lorenzo is watching us.”