Page 13

“No.” She carefully scooted across the couch so she could rise without touching him. He deliberately chose not to be offended. “And before you lecture me, the staff doesn’t contact me after hours unless there’s a serious problem.”

At the door, she pressed up on her toes to look through the peephole. Whoever she saw out there, she lurched back. “It’s him,” she whispered.

Gallo. He steadied her then looked for himself, taking stock of the man in the hallway holding a bouquet of flowers.

“Trina?” he called. “I’m here, my darling.”

Rhett gritted his teeth and turned to her. “Want me to take the lead?”

She nodded, her eyes wide and her hand curling around his arm. He wasn’t sure she realized she had a hold of him. Regardless, he’d work with it, use it to her advantage. He opened the door, delighted to see Gallo’s slick smile fade into shock.

“Hello?” The man tried to summon a pleasant expression as he addressed Trina. “My darling, how are you?”

“Hello, Luca.”

“We weren’t expecting you,” Rhett said.

“I’m early.” Luca glared at the way she clung to Rhett. Recovering, he held out the flowers. “For you,la mia bellissima ragazza.”

“She’s not your girl,” Rhett replied. He smiled at her, “Though, I agree, she is beautiful.” He accepted the flowers on her behalf. “Go on in,” he suggested as casually as he could. “Those need water. I’ll be right there to finish packing.”

Her eyes widened briefly at his blatant implication. “Thank you.Grazie.”

“You won’t invite me in?” Luca wheedled, craning to see around Rhett, but she was already out of sight.

Rhett stepped into the hallway and the door closed with a snap. He could only hope she didn’t lock him out along with Gallo. Then again, he didn’t want her at risk if things turned ugly out here. “How did you find us?”

“Us?” His dark eyebrows drew tight over an aquiline nose. “No, no. This is Trina’s home.”

“How?” Rhett folded his arms over his chest.

Gallo was tall and lean, all sharp edges and angles emphasized by his expertly tailored suit. Rhett figured he dressed up after checking in, because there wasn’t a wrinkle in sight. He had not flown from Italy in that suit.

“This is between Trina and me. Please excuse yourself.”

“Not happening.”

“Who the hell are you?” Gallo snarled.

Ah, here was the real man, now that Trina was out of sight. He stuck out his hand. “Rhett Ellington. You are?”

“Luca Gallo. Friend of the Bollani family.” He puffed up his chest. “Soon to be Trina’s husband. If she’ll have me. Her parents have given me their blessing.”

“How nice for you.”

“She must have told you of my arrival.”

“Rings a bell,” he allowed. “You’re early. We weren’t expecting you for a few more days.”

“And yet, a room was ready.”

That proved nothing. “That’s kinda the point of a placelike this,” Rhett said. “How did you find our door?” Rhett pressed. “There’s no marker.”

“Her mother gave me the information.” Gallo’s chin notched higher. Did the man have any idea what a tempting target it made? “How else would I call on her?”

Rhett let the silence hang there between them. “All right. You’ve delivered your flowers, she’s aware that you’re here. Good night.”

“I’m not leaving without speaking to her.”