Page 68 of The Strength Of A Woman

I can’t help myself and lift my gaze to Leilani’s room. The windows are wide open, and the drapes are flowing, but no one’s inside.

Giorgio is having a late breakfast by the pool, wearing light-colored pants and a white shirt, with the corner of a linen napkin tucked inside his neckline.

He pulls it away, flashing a smile, before he picks up his coffee and takes a sip.

“Callum, what a surprise. I didn’t expect you here this morning.”

Right there, I notice something in his voice.

He might not suspect that Leilani is gone, but he is well aware that gangsters never waste time on social visits.

So, despite his cheerful smile, I know our presence here has put him on notice.

Plus, his eyes avoid mine.

“What a lovely day,” I say, pretending that this is something other than what it is.

“Have breakfast with me,” he says, searching my eyes this time.

“I’ll have a cup of coffee,” I murmur to buy some time.

“What about them?” he says, taking a bite and chewing slowly on his food while flicking his chin toward my men.

“They’re good,” I say.

“Are you going somewhere?” he asks, tilting his eyes in their direction again.

“No. I just want to talk to you.”

His smile fades into the sunny morning as his mask begins to peel off.

Grinning, I try to diminish the effect of my words.

“Don’t worry,” I say nonchalantly. “It’s nothing bad.”

Just as I take a seat at the table, Sylvia walks out of the house.

Inside the hallway, I notice a young woman––Aurora Kensington––with a couple of suitcases, ready to leave.

Sylvia wears a white dress with a small rose pattern.

She’s well put together, as she always is, only this time a scowl mars her face. She can’t even make herself smile.

“Callum,” she says in passing as I carefully study her.

She moves her focus to her husband.

“Have you seen Leilani by any chance?”

Giorgio seems genuinely taken by surprise.

He puts his fork down.

“No. Why?”

His wife clasps her hips in annoyance.

“She’s missing,” she says as if her favorite houseplant were missing.