Page 98 of Lord of the Dark

She crossed her arms. "Forget it. You’d just micromanage me to death." Amusement glinted in her eyes. "So, a stroll through the gardens? Sounds almost romantic. Are you going to pick me flowers too?"

"Flowers?" My grin turned predatory. "I’ll pick you. Then we’re going to Oltrarno."

"Oh no, that’s packed with tourists—"

"Do I look like a tourist?" I cut her off. She really was impossible. "Just trust me. No tourists. Just real craftsmanship—workshops passed down for generations. You’ll see how Florence actually lives."

"So, art and culture," she said slowly, as if testing me. "What else?"

"Lunch at Trattoria Mario. Looks like a hole in the wall, but they serve the best bistecca alla fiorentina in the city. After that, we drive into the hills. Wine tasting at a vineyard with a view that’ll steal your breath."

She leaned in slightly. "I prefer when you steal my breath," she murmured. "And what happens when Carter notices I’m gone?"

"Like he did today?" I countered, snatching the bag of coke from the table as I headed for the door.

She rolled her eyes. "You enjoy twisting the knife, don’t you?" Pausing, she glanced back at the room. "I haven’t forgotten what you did to me here today, Russo. Just so we’re clear."

"I’m sorry, okay?" A lie.

"So what’s really going on with this meeting with the Russians?" she asked, tension sharp in her voice.

I exhaled, weighing how much to tell her—or if there was even a point in holding back now. "Carter wanted it in Miami," I began tightly. "I pulled strings to move it to Florence. It wasn’t easy. These men are careful, paranoid—for good reason. I had to leverage everything to get them here." I paused, holding her gaze as I chose my next words carefully. "The problem, Fiona, is that Carter doesn’t understand how dangerous they really are. To him, it’s just a deal—he needs it to save his company. But for the Russians? It’s personal."

Her brow furrowed, gaze sharpening. "And why are you telling me this?"

"Because it’s vital they never find out you mean something to me—Carter included. Who knows what else he might try." My voice hardened. "If this meeting goes south—and odds are, it will—they could use you as leverage against me or him."

Her eyes widened slightly as the weight of my words sank in. "So… what does that mean?"

We walked back to the office together, where Giovanni was undoubtedly still waiting, eager for my report. "It means you’ll have to act completely neutral around them," I explained. "No looks, no touches—nothing that suggests there’s more between us than polite professionalism. If they get even a hint that you matter to me..."

"Oh, is that so?" she prodded deliberately.

I smirked. "If they notice, you’ll be in grave danger." I stopped and turned to her. "And that risk, Fiona... isn’t just high. It’s lethal," I said, my voice icy.

She chewed on that before meeting my eyes again. "And what if I decide not to go?"

I held her gaze, answering after a long pause: "That’s not an option. Not anymore."

She arched a brow, nodding thoughtfully. "Big fucking mess, huh." For a moment, neither of us spoke.

"I’ll handle everything, Fiona. But these men are professionals—they smell weakness. They can’t suspect a thing. That’s why it has to be just you, Carter, and me in that room." We started moving again.

"Where is this even happening?"

"A bar. Secluded, run-down. Perfect for business no one’s supposed to see. Back room."

"A bar? That doesn’t sound... safe."

"Safe? There is no safe place for this. They know how to apply pressure, how to provoke. One wrong move, and it escalates."

"And then?" she whispered.

"Then there’s blood. But Carter—that slimy bastard—" My jaw clenched, fury rising. "I could kill him for dragging you into this."

She stared at me, motionless, but something flickered in hereyes. Fear? No. Something better—understanding.

I pushed open the office door, Fiona right behind me. Giovanni lounged on the couch, back to us, and without turning, he drawled: "Maestro, did she rip your balls off, or did you actually fuck her?" His voice echoed before he’d even turned around. Shit.