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“Are you going to have time to change before he gets there?” I ask, making small talk.

“Probably not, but it’s supposed to be rather informal,” he says, placing his hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the large crowd in the dining area of the hospitality suite.

“I’m sorry he’s dragging you away like this. It was supposed to be an off day for all of you,” I find myself apologising, looking up to meet his eyes.

He scoffs. “Did you really want to walk me out just to talk about your dad?” He raises a brow as we step out of the suite into part of the main stadium.

“Well…uhm…I just wanted to make sure you were okay going by yourself and to remind you to be careful of what you say to him.”

“I’m a big boy, I’m sure I’ll manage,” he says, stepping a bit closer. “Anything else?”

“Nope, that’s all. I’ll see you later,” I say, spinning on my heels, but he grabs my forearm and pulls me back.

When I get back into his grasp, I’m pressed firmly into his chest, his one hand resting very low on my back and the other cupping my face. “If you won’t bring it up, then I will.”

Then his lips are on mine. I’m sure it’s supposed to be an innocent kiss, and it barely lasts longer than ten seconds, but the fire that runs through my veins feels anything but innocent. It feels like passion and adrenaline, it feels warm and inviting. It feels all too comfortable, but as he pulls back, letting his gaze pour into mine, the moment ends.

“Thank you for walking me out,tesoro. I’ll see you later tonight.” He winks before backing up.

My body takes a few seconds to catch up with what just happened before I nod and turn to walk back into the suite.

“And stay away from that bartender,” he yells after me, and I can’t help but smile like an idiot.

Chapter twenty-five

Antonio

Igetbacktotheapartment just as my cell phone rings with a call from the reception desk.

“Hello, Mr. Vitale. I have Mr. Auclair and two other gentlemen here for a meeting, shall I send them to the meeting room?”

“Hi, no it’s okay, you can let them up to the apartment. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Mr. Vitale.”

I groan and toss my hat on the kitchen island. I run my fingers through my mess of curls, trying to tidy up the dent the cap must’ve left behind. I glance down at my outfit and tug on the t-shirt to cover more of the cargo pants.

The elevator dings and cuts my adjustments short. Gabriel, Kylian, and Enzo all walk in, dressed to the nines in suits. I would say perfectly tailored, but I’d be lying because besides Enzo, the rest of the suits are quite ill-fitting compared to the ones they usually wear.

I sigh in relief because it gives me the impression that this meeting is informal. My business casual outfits are usually a form of armour, a way to remain professional and keep a wall between my personal life and clients, but these three men may have just caught me in the most vulnerable position only under that of being naked. I look unready and boy do I feel it, especially since we’re meeting in my living room.

That would be normal for my brothers and me, or even Enzo since were related, but this is far beyond my comfort zone.

“Gentlemen, could I get any of you water?” I offer stepping around the kitchen island to greet them.

“Water? Why so formalcugino? Where’s the whiskey?” Enzo chuckles, and I shoot him a look. He may be a year younger than Ambrose, but he acts younger than me, simply with how he handles serious situations.

“Water is fine. Thank you, Antonio,” Gabriel says.

“Please.” I gesture to the living room before turning to grab a few bottles of water.

Minutes later, a large cart with canvases and miniature sculptures is pushed into the centre of the apartment by the bellboy.

“What is this?” I raise a brow at the man probably around my age.

“Mr. Auclair asked that these be brought up,” he says, and I nod slowly, gesturing for him to head into the living room as well.

When I enter, the men have made themselves comfortable. Pages are scattered across the coffee table, laptops are open, and cigarettes are lit. They came ready to work.