“Stop what?”
“That Sherlock Holmes shit. It’s creepy.”
“I can go further. I bet you want to open a clothes shop.”
"A fashion boutique."
“Same thing. Saving up, ready to buy somewhere. Am I right?”
“This is getting weird now.”
“How about if I tell you I know you’ve got a narcissistic mother?”
“My mother’s dead.”
He doesn’t miss a beat. “Father then.”
“Dead too. You say one more thing about me, and I’m getting out of the car.”
“Good luck with that. The doors are locked.”
“Are you saying I’m trapped in here with you?”
“I’m saying you’re not getting out until the car stops.”
“So you’rekidnappingme?”
“No need to be so dramatic. I’m simply buying you breakfast. You’re welcome, by the way.”
I try the door, but he wasn’t bluffing. It is locked. “Where are you taking me?”
"Giuseppe and Antonio's."
“Holy shit, seriously?” All thoughts of escape leave my head. At least for now.
“So you’ve not heard of me, but you’ve heard of G and As?”
“Heard of it? The most famous restaurant in Rome? It’s like six months wait just to get on the waiting list for the waiting list.”
“You been before?”
“No, but it’s where Melanie goes when she’s over here. She always says how theirInsalata Capreseis a thing of beauty.”
“Melanie is your boss, I’m guessing?”
“Yeah.”
“She sent you to Rome, did she? Did she make you pay for the flight?”
“No. The company paid for it and the hotel.”
“That explains the cheap room.” He digs his phone out, glancing at the screen and smiling before slipping it back into his jacket. “Isn’t a free vacation a good thing?”
“It’s not a vacation. One night before a meeting with Tonia Falcone at noon to pick up the dress, then straight back.”
“You still wish to attend that meeting after your trauma this morning?”
“I’ll lose my job if I don’t go.”