Page 37 of One Filthy Kiss

“Ah, the film studio.” Enzo swallows a mouthful of coffee and grimaces, holding the plastic cup up to the light as if checking the ingredients. “Do you act?”

I blink. Did he see the video footage? Or is it nothing more than an innocent question?

“No. My friend does. Amber and I were there as her guests.”

Is this too much information?Ugh!My head is spinning from trying to do the right thing, trying to be pleasant to Gio’s brother without giving too much away. Mostly, I just get on with life, but occasionally there are moments like this when I wish that Amber’s father didn’t get to control the way we live our lives even when he isn’t a part of our world.

“My brother must’ve been convincing then for you to follow him all the way to New York.”

Okay, so now I know there’s something off about him. I bristle at the inference that I tracked Gio down and wormed my way into his life. Does this guy think that I’m some kind of gold digger? Or does that come with the territory when you’re a sex-on-legs billionaire?

“I didn’t follow him.” I keep my eyes on Amber so that he can’t see the hurt in them. “We had a breakfast date.”

Enzo snickers. “That sounds like Gio. Did he try to impress you with the private jet and the rooftop pool?”

My stomach twists. Gio told me that he’d never fucked anyone else on the rooftop, and in my head, I’d turned it into our special place. Did he lie to me? Is it some kind of joke between brothers, how many women he can bang on the roof?

No!I refuse to let Enzo get under my skin, which is clearly what he is trying to do.

“It wasn’t like that.”

God, I wish I sounded more confident. What did Gio say about believing in myself? I’ve forgotten already.

Enzo arches one eyebrow. “What was it like, Meggie? What did my brother promise you? I’m curious. Perhaps I can learn some tips from him.”

I face him now. He does resemble Gio, but the similarities are superficial. I can’t imagine Enzo promising to protect me and Amber with his life. He would be at the front of the line for the lifeboat while women and children are left behind to sink with the ship, and now that the image is in my head, I can’t unsee it.

“He didn’t promise me anything. I’m not after his money if that’s what you think.”

He shrugs. “I never even mentioned money. You did. So, what are you after? Connections? A free flight back to the UK? An escape route?”

I stand up. “Thank you for the coffee, but I don’t like where this conversation is going.”

“Hey, I’m sorry.” He rises too, and his shoulders slump. “Forgive me, Meggie. Is it okay if I call you that? I noticed that’s what your kid calls you.”

He hooks a thumb in Amber’s direction, and I’m flooded with relief to find her stroking a snowy-white rabbit, oblivious to this guy and his accusations. I don’t want him to call me Meggie—that right is reserved for Amber and Gio—but I find myself nodding anyway.

“I didn’t mean to offend you. What you and Giovanni do is none of my business.”

That’s the truest thing he has said so far.

“I’m only looking out for him.”

I swallow. “I’m sure he appreciates your concern.”

He inhales deeply and peers out across the zoo, squinting against the sunlight. “My brother believes that he’suntouchable. An island. He pulled the shutters down when Elisabetta died and pushed everyone else away.”

My heart lurches against my ribcage sickeningly. “Elisabetta?”

“Didn’t he mention her?” Enzo shakes his head. “I can’t say I’m surprised. Elisabetta was his childhood sweetheart. They were engaged to be married when she died.”

And just like that, the sunlight is sucked out of the day and everything fades to gray.

8

GIOVANNI

We eat on the veranda:pasta, a tossed green salad, tomatoes the size of my fist and olives grown on Emiliano’s land, crusty garlic bread dipped in olive oil. Simple food. Food that tastes like home.