I don’t plan on being with a woman other than for sexual reasons. I’m smart enough not to say that to Gia.
“I can honestly say our time together won’t be...boring.” Which is what I’d planned on. Use the Parisi daughter and strip the family of all their power and end the evil which Lorenzo has allowed to proliferate within his compound. She’s a pawn. I am the king. However, now I’m thinking she’s more like a rook.
She came out of nowhere when I least expected it, appearing vulnerable and naive, but able to kick some serious ass.
The waiter returns and opens the bottle, pouring a taste for me. I lift my chin to Gia, indicating she will be the one to approve our wine. It’s a Parlatore, so I know it’s exquisite, but I’ll appease her, give her the sense of power.
“No need. It’s Parlatore. The wine doesn’t need testing.”
I hide my grin and my approval until the waiter pours our glasses and leaves us alone again. “Well played.”
“Thank you.” She lifts her glass, waiting for me to clink mine with hers.
We drink, we eat, we talk, and we laugh. Or rather, she laughs and I contain myself. The patrons will have a heart attack if they witness Stone Parlatore laughing.
I need people to fear me. Becoming soft around Gia will weaken my resolve, and now I wonder if I played the evening out all wrong. Our marriage needs to be believable, but I don’t want my power or authority questioned.
When the waiter delivers our dessert, I push back my chair and stand. “I need to take a call.”
“Stone,” she gasps and starts to stand.
I place a hand on her shoulder. Tempted as I am to stroke her soft skin with my fingers, I instead give her a possessive squeeze.
“Stay. You’re fine.” She hates those dog-like commands, as she calls them. I take my phone out of my pocket and hold it to my ear as I walk through the restaurant.
There’s no one on the other line. No call I need to make. It’s for show. To show I’m still a heartless bastard who will do anything to win. To get ahead. Even leave my bride-to-be alone at dinner on the eve of our wedding.
No one knows of the wedding. Yet. I’m giving them eighteen hours to absorb the news of me in a relationship. The ring on Gia’s finger is enough to spark the rumors. No one will imagine I’ll be tying the knot tomorrow.
Especially not to Callista Parisi.