Page 14 of Single Malt Drama
“Could you focus on one conversation? I’m in a bit of a hurry.”
He sighed. “What were you thinking? You know we’re sitting on a powder keg with the Lazios. You could have given someone a head’s up before you lit the fucking match.”
Shit. “She was in trouble.”
“Where is she now?” He sighed. Like me, Leo had a soft spot for a woman in need. Unlike me, he didn’t extend his need relieving services to the bedroom. As far as I knew, he lived like a monk.
“Safe and on her way out of the country.” I held my breath waiting for him to launch into a lecture.
“Good.” He lowered his voice. “Where are you and Dante?”
“He’s on his way back to the compound.”
“He? Where the hell are you? Hang on.” Leo spoke to someone else in the room. “Send security to the port—”
“Dante’s coming from the airport and has his own guys.”
My brother growled under his breath. “Never mind.”
The gate attendant announced the final boarding call.
“I hate to leave you to clean up my mess, but I’m catching a flight to Rome, and then to New Orleans. Someone should go make sure Shanna doesn’t murder Enzo and feed his body to the gators.”
“Is Nico heading to… You know what? Don’t fucking tell me. Stay at the mansion. Don’t leave without security. Things are as hot there as they are here.” He drew a breath and exhaled very slowly. “Just be careful. Call me when you land.”
“Will do.”
By some miracle, I slept the entire flight to Rome. I considered this a sign of divine intervention rather than outright exhaustion for two reasons. One, I never slept on planes. I hated flying almost as much as I hated reptiles and insects. Two, the only empty seat was between a married couple. A married couple in the midst of an argument. I’d offered to change seats with one of them so they could sit beside each other, but they’d both refused. Instead, they hurled insults around me.
It was almost enough to make me rethink proposing to Nico. Almost.
It’s not like Nico and I will have a real marriage.We’d have it annulled before we got to the bickering stage.
Since I had no clue when it’d be safe to go to my condo, I spent my four-hour layover shopping for a roller bag, a couple changes of clothes, and a toothbrush. On the way to the gate, I had an idea.
I wandered into the jewelry store like a kid walking into Santa’s workshop, excited and completely overwhelmed and scared shitless.
A blonde with thick glances, and an expression that looked like she’d just sucked a lemon, frowned at me. “May I help you?”
“Engagement rings?” My voice cracked. I cleared my throat and tried again. “I’m looking for an engagement ring.”
“They are over here.” Her smile warmed enough that she no longer reminded me of my third-grade teacher, Sister Agnes.
I followed her to a glass case in the back of the store, where she pulled out a tray of simple rings with stones on the miniscule side of small. This is ridiculous. Who buys an engagement ring in the airport?
“Do you have a budget, sir?” The saleswoman put the tray away.
“No.” I made my way to the next case and studied each ring.
“Oh, those… Those are… Well. They are very expensive.” Her sour expression returned.
It hadn’t occurred to me that I looked like a college student coming off a weekend bender, but it shouldn’t have mattered. In fact, it irritated me that she’d treated me like the hooker in Pretty Woman. Not that I’d watched the movie of my own free will. Nico had forced me to endure it.
I motioned to the other saleswoman. “Excuse me. Can I borrow you for a moment?”
The young lady gave me a once over, but unlike her coworker, her lips curled into a flirty smile. “Yes?”
I pointed to a Buccellati number with an emerald-cut center stone and ornate band with several square diamonds. “I’d like to see that one.”