I turned my back to the door and waited for Christian’s response.
“There could always be more,” he said. “That’s the game we’re playing until we can confirm exactly how many backups Francis has.”
Basically, I was playing chicken with my brother’s life.
I could call Francis’s bluff, but…
I rubbed an aggravated hand over my jaw.
It was too damn risky.
“My team will continue looking until you tell us to stop.” Christian paused. “I have to say, I’m surprised you haven’t checked in since October. I thought the issue held more urgency for you.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Hmm.” The sound resonated with knowing. “Or perhaps you’re warming up to your bride-to-be? I heard you two disappeared for quite a while at Valhalla’s New York gala.”
My teeth clenched. Why was everyone so obsessed with my feelings toward her? “What we do in our private time is none of your business.”
“Considering I’m actively surveilling her father onyourrequest, it’s partly my business.” Ice clinked in the background. “Be careful, Dante. You can either have Vivian or you can have her father’s head on a platter—figuratively speaking, of course. You can’t have both.”
The shower stopped running, followed by a beat of silence and the opening creak of the bathroom door.
“I’m well aware. Keep looking.” I hung up right as Vivian stepped out in a cloud of steam and sweet-smelling fragrance.
Every muscle tensed.
Objectively, there was nothing indecent about her silk shorts and top. It was the same outfit she’d worn in the kitchen during our snack night, only in black instead of pink.
Unobjectively, it should be outlawed. All that exposed skin couldn’t be good for her. Never mind the fact we were in tropical Bali; the outfit was a hypothermia case waiting to happen.
“Who were you talking to?” Vivian loosened her hair from its bun and ran her fingers through the dark strands. They cascaded down her back, begging me to wrap my fist around them and see if they were as soft as they looked.
My jaw muscles flexed. “Business associate.”
I’d stayed up late the past three nights so I wouldn’t have to share the room with Vivian while we were both awake. She was always asleep when I came in, and I was always gone when she woke up.
We didn’t have that option tonight.
Apparently, Vivian wasn’t in the mood for card games with my family either, so we were stuck in the same room. Awake. Half dressed.Together.
Fuck my life.
“On Thanksgiving?” Vivian smoothed body lotion over her arms, oblivious to my torture.
I should’ve stayed in the damn living room.
“Money doesn’t rest.” I turned my back to her and pulled my shirt over my head. The air conditioning was on full blast, but I was burning up.
I tossed the shirt over the arm of a nearby chair and faced her again only to find her staring at me with wide eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting ready for bed.” I cocked an eyebrow at her visible horror. “I sleep hot,mia cara. You wouldn’t want me to roast to death overnight, would you?”
“Don’t be dramatic,” she muttered, setting her lotion back on the dresser. “You’re a grown man. One night of sleeping with your clothes on won’t kill you.”
Vivian’s eyes dropped to my bare torso before she quickly looked away, her cheeks red.