Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 59304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“Siena, please lower your voice.”
I almost don’t want to share my theory. Perhaps I’ll sound nuts. But too much is happening for this to be coincidental. “Is someone sabotaging this vow renewal?”
For a second, Rosy’s expression tells me everything I need to know. She even begins to nod… then catches herself. She stands, almost knocking over her chair. “I’m very busy. I’m sorry.”
“That’s not a no.”
“Please…”
“Who is it? And why? It has to be a friend or acquaintance or even a family member of the Bianchis.”
“I have said nothing to encourage you in that direction.”
“You say that like you want it on the record. Like you’re scared, and you want to make it clear you’re not helping me.”
“Please, Siena.”
She practically shoves me out the door. I grab my flowers before she can kick me out.
I’m sick of this.
I march across the island to Dario’s hut. When I get to his door, I pull the flowers from the bouquet and scatter them across his door, tearing some petals for good measure.
There’s something he’s not telling me. Something more going on here.
As I return to work, my mind spins with theories. I’ve noticed Edoardo, Vittorio’s brother and Dario’s uncle, with a scowl on his face, sometimes looking at his brother like he’s angry. Could he be behind it, but why? I need to think about this.
I go to the artificial waterfall, checking the surrounding area, visualizing the party in my mind. As I go about my work, I can’t help but think of all the things that could go wrong.
About thirty minutes later, Naaif finds me again. With another bunch of flowers.
“Siena,” he says.
“Again?”
He grins. “Don’t shoot the messenger.”
I take the flowers and read the message.
I can do this all day, beautiful. Dario x
A smile spreads across my face, and warmth swells inside me. That warmth: the Dario heat, specific to him, attacks not only my core but my heart too. Why does he have to be such an infuriatingly lovable douche?
Setting the flowers aside, I go on with my work, my mind whirring. I can’t stop thinking about the look on Rosy’s face.
When I’ve got time for a break, I carry the flowers across the island, back to my room. Dario has left the key under the mat for me. He’s already moved my stuff inside. I walk into the suite, feeling weirdly lonely. Which is silly. I stayed with Dario for one night.
Carrying the flowers outside my room, I look across the small pier at his door.
Would it be lame if I pulled the same thing again?
Does he deserve any better?
I walk up to his door, hesitate, then turn away.
Then I spot him at the end of the pier, his hands in his pockets. It’s difficult to be sure, but I think he’s smirking.
CHAPTER 20
DARIO
Siena leans the flowers against the door and then marches down the pier. She’s wearing another flowy dress that settles against her body, outlines her, and emphasizes her curves as she walks.
She stops just short of me, like she’s scared to come too close.
“Do you get off on playing with women’s emotions?”
“What?”
“Don’t give me that pretty-boy, oh-so innocent smile, Dario. Don’t act so naïve. It’s a simple question.”
“Has something happened?” I take her hand, feeling the adrenaline coursing through her. She lets me hold her hand for a moment, then snatches it away.
“First, you decide you don’t want to stay in the same roo—”
“Easy, Siena. I did that for you. I just wanted to make you comfortable. The last thing I want to do is push you. If I had my way, we’d be wearing World’s Best Roommate T-shirts right now. Or did you change your mind? Do you want to move back in?”
She looks out at the water, purses her lips, and clenches her fists, fighting an internal battle. Slowly, she uncoils, letting out a shaky breath. “I’m not saying that.”
“What are you saying, then? You can talk to me.”
“Can I?” She looks at me. “Are you sure about that?”
“Yes,” I say firmly.
“Because something weird is happening, and I think you know more than you’re letting on.”
Fuck. I don’t want to lie to her. But she’s backing me into a corner.
“I visited Rosy, the resort manager. She basically admitted there’s some funny business happening.”
“What sort of funny business?”
“A reason for all the delays and cancellations. She looked scared. And now my mind is going a million miles an hour. What if someone wants to sabotage this event? And there’s you, Dario. Your phone calls. Your darkness.”
My darkness.
I didn’t want her to see that. But if I want her, really want her, she’s going to see it eventually.
“My mind is spinning,” she says again.
“What did the resort manager say exactly?”
“It was a look,” Siena replies with a shrug. “Don’t laugh at me.”
“I’m not laughing. You’re a capable, practical, intuitive person. You’ve got good instincts.”