She shrugged, lifting her hands palms up. “What? You don’t even know what I mean by visitation rights.”
He stood up, lifting her with him. “But I know you and we are not going to discuss this. You need to sleep, anyway.”
He went to set her down on the bed but she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. “I know that’s not how you do business, but just think about it. If Mr. Torino feels like he’d have—”
He tugged at her arms. “Goodnight, Riana!”
She tightened her hold on him and went on. “—access to his lifelong dream then it would soften him up. Keep him as a manager or an advisor.”
Allan chortled. “Why don’t I just dig a hole and pour all the money I’m using for the acquisition into it?” She pulled his hair and he winced from the pain. “Damn it, Riana! What was that for?”
“If you take
“You look beautiful,” Allan whispered in her ear as they walked into the café.Riana nodded, but even Allan’s reassurance didn’t help. She was nervous walking into the rich and famous version of a café, even after the makeover she’d just gone through. She knew Allan didn’t care what she looked like, but after her stylist told her where they were going, adding that to how important this meeting with Torino was, she needed to look perfect.That meant a new summer dress, which she as a normal human being would only wear to special occasions, and three inch wedged sandals that would attempt to give her the model long legs she naturally lacked. She wanted to straighten her hair but the hard line that quickly formed on Allan’s lips advised against it.In his own words, ‘We are going to meet Torino not the President of the United States’—the only person, apparently, he considered worth dressing up for.Allan wore a white Polo shirt, navy blue trousers, and loafers. While he still looked hot,
They stopped in front of a table where three people were already standing. A short, old man with just a little bit of white hair left on his balding head, another man dressed in a white suit, his black hair shiny and slicked back. He looked like the old man—probably his son. Riana didn’t like him on the spot, especially since his gaze perused Allan with contempt.Riana turned to Allan to see if he’d noticed their presence. He had, and he returned the stare with one of his tight smiles but his eyes had a glint in them. Riana knew that look all to well, it spoke of mischief. Allan was up to something. What?Riana trapped her lower lip between her teeth to hide the budding smile and turned to the third person. The lady was beautiful but Riana could already see she was going to have trouble keeping her away from Allan. She leered at him like a bitch in heat! And Allan was doing a damn fine job pretending he didn’t notice.She was wearing a kn
Allan laughed harder then leaned toward her and kissed her on the lips. “My unicorn, the things that go through your mind,” he whispered then kissed her again before he pulled away. Riana nibbled nervously on her lower lip as she turned to Mr. Torino. He had a grin on his face. Riana risked a smile then turned to Anthony. He on the other hand didn’t find it amusing. “Sorry. I just know Allan can be impossible to negotiate with if he doesn’t like you.” Anthony’s jaw only clenched harder and his gaze grew even more lethal. Riana sighed. I should probably shut up now. She leaned against Allan’s arm and kept silent and waited for the inevitable. “Your girlfriend is very different. She’s a peace keeper, no?” Mr. Torino commented, making Riana blush. Allan kissed her forehead, chuckling. “Yes, she is. She’s the reason why I’m here.” She heard him exhale loudly. “And the reason why I’ll meet you for dinner to discuss this. It would have been wonderful to meet only you, Mr. Torino, but
Allan walked out of Mr. Torino’s office feeling a hundred pounds lighter. The deal was done and all that was left was putting their signatures on the contract.Mr. Torino had called for him immediately after they arrived at the hotel. Allan didn’t have to wonder what it was about. He had made himself clear at brunch that he was going to hand over the company to him. So it didn’t surprise him when Mr. Torino asked Allan to settle the bank loan which had grown considerably in the last two months.Not that he cared, but Allan asked if he and his children had another source of income. Leaving Mr. Torino destitute would not go over well with Riana.Anthony and Antonia had trust funds and Mr. Torino had his savings, which he would keep him comfortable for the rest of his life. With that out of the way, Allan called his lawyer to draw up the necessary paper work then left Mr. Torino to join Riana in their suite.They had three hours till dinner
Riana kept the water running as she tried to throw up quietly. She thought she’d escaped it when she didn’t get sick that morning.Why call it morning sickness if it hit you any time of the day?There was a knock on the door followed by a loud, “Signorina Albury, are you fine?” Guliana, her stylist and makeup artist for the night sounded worried.Before she could respond, she felt something come up. She retched what looked like water and the knock on the door grew to a banging.“Signorina, I should call the Signore, yes?”“No!” Riana yelled out. She flushed the toilet and lowered the cover before she sat on it. At least she didn’t feel drained and weak like when she was on the yacht.She placed her hand over her belly. “Why are you doing this to me? I’m housing you inside me for nine months.”“Signorina?”Rian
“What?” Allan asked taking a sip of his drink before looking over his shoulder. His eyes bulged out and he began coughing. Riana asked for a glass of water from the bartender. She handed it to Allan who was still looking at her like she’d walked in naked—well, she was a little exposed. But not naked. He took a few gulps, his eyes still moving over her. “Fuck, Riana!” She took the glass away from him and placed it on the counter. “Language, Allan.” “Signorina Albury!” The man standing with them exclaimed like she wasn’t what he expected. Riana almost asked ‘who else do you think I am’ instead she said, “Si, Signore, but you have me at a disadvantage. I don’t know who you are.” He chuckled and turned to Allan. “Naïve and sweet, huh?” He shook his head and turned back to her, holding out his hand. “Dante Vittorio, Sinclair’s lawyer—here in Italy at least.” Riana placed her hand in his and smiled at him. “I should have recognized your voice. You are always on the phone with Allan. I
After the tense dinner the night before, Riana was looking forward to a day of relaxing with Allan—and Von.She still didn’t like having a bodyguard, a third wheel, but Allan was adamant about Von following them around. She only wished Von wouldn’t be so obvious and that he would blend in with the crowd like all the other bodyguards had done in the other cities.She wanted to keep up the delusion that she and Allan were on their honeymoon, and no one went on their honeymoon with a third person.She was glad, finally, when she got her wish. The moment they stepped out of the hotel, Von was nowhere to be seen. She looked around, searching for him, and spotted him a few feet away. He was dressed in a white linen shirt, blue jeans, and a white, woven hat—unlike the black suit he had on the night before. He looked like a tourist, completely blending in with the crowd.Riana’s attention was pulled back to Allan when he tugged her h
“What?” Riana looked from him to Dante as she pulled the dress to cover her leg. It stayed put for a while before it fluidly slipped off her leg like water against marble. Oh damn! Mr. Torino chuckled, and Dante groaned, his eyes riveted on her leg. Allan cursed, quickly taking the seat next to her teasing leg and placing the napkin from the table to cover her thigh. She looked at him with a quirked brow before she smiled that ‘oh, not so innocent’ teasing smile and said, “Oops!” “Yeah right, little witch!” Dante took the seat next to him laughing. “Remind me to send Guliana a thank you gift basket.” “Remind me to send Guliana a pink slip,” Allan grumbled. Riana giggled and cupped his cheek in her hand. “No, you won’t. She was going for a specific reaction from you, and I think she accomplished it. Her masterpiece was a success.” Allan leaned in close and whispered, “Her master piece is about to be