Page 30 of The Billionaire's Destiny

Ding. His phone sounded. He cursed as he reached over to the nightstand, grabbed it, and checked the screen and went quiet.

“What?” I asked.

“Fuck.”

“What is it?”

“Just more bad news. Our production in London was temporarily halted due to a violation, and that means more delays. If that wasn’t time-consuming enough, the board members want to review more of the stipulations set by Luca and Marini Trust. More meetings with lawyers, and I have to get up…probably now if I want to take care of it before the Milan photo shoot.”

“I’m…I’m sorry, Rocco.”

“I’m not; I’m just glad we took some time to enjoy ourselves. So? What did you want to tell me?”

“Uhm, nothing important. It can wait.” My voice was even, but I held my breath.

“Hmm. Okay. We’ll have time to talk again. You can come with me to Milan.”

“I can?” I asked with excitement in my voice.

“Yes. I won’t have to work, hopefully, the whole time.”

“Oh. Okay. Thank you, Rocco. I’ve never been.”

“That’s one of the reasons I want you to see it.”

“And what’s the other?”

“I just want to be with you.” He kissed my palm, and my heart skipped a beat.

“I want that, too,” I said, my voice scratchy.If I go, I could still see a doctor and talk to him.There was no way I’d rest peacefully until I told him.Soon.

“Good. Last night was great. I want more nights out together. Wasn’t it amazing?”

“It was. I mean, Bianca’s incredible, and well, so is Lorenzo, but her performance was the best I’ve ever seen.”

“She’s one of the greats. I didn’t believe she could top herRinaldoin Rome, but she did it.”

“Oh, you sawRinaldo? I love that one.”

“Yes, I did. She sang ‘Lascia ch’io pianga’ and brought the house down though the performance was controversial.”

“Why?”

“The whole cast performed with painted-on clothes.”

“Like, nude?”

“Painted clothes. So, almost.”

“Really? That must’ve been weird seeing your cousin’s wife almost naked.”

“Nudity’s natural. It’s not a big deal unless you’re attracted. And I’m not.”

I turned and propped myself up on my arm to face him, though the coming sunrise gave us light. Something about his answer and the mention of the Shakespeare adult event earlier had me curious. “Have you seen someone else I know?”

He guffawed. “Adelina.”

“What? It’s only a question.”