Page 109 of My Dark Ever After

I was working in the office with Carmine later that afternoon after a lengthy shower and a slightly awkward lunch with the Romanos and my parents. My work for Dad’s company was over, but I was transitioning into doing some things for Lupo Nero, Raffa’s investment company, and I couldn’t help but advise Carmine when he asked me for help on a problem.

Which was my current project.

A series of break-ins at some of Raffa’s shell companies had been occurring over the last few months, but nothing seemed to have been stolen, and there was no discernible link between the companies that were targeted.

“Perhaps you can see something we haven’t with that puzzling mind of yours,” Carmine had suggested, handing me the flash drive with the information. “We believe it has something to do with the Venetian.”

“I can take a look.” I accepted the files. “But I’ll need access to more information about Lupo Nero and the Romano Group.”

“Why the latter? None of the companies are attached to the Romano Group.”

“Call it a hunch,” I’d said with a shrug, and Carmine hadn’t hesitated to create an account for me in their software so I could access the necessary ledgers and financial documents for both companies.

Three hours later, the sun was a narrow neon-pink ribbon on the horizon, and my eyes were so dry they clicked when I blinked as I studied the files open on my computer screen.

It was no wonder I startled when a soft pressure bloomed on my bare shoulder.

Raffa’s laugh was like smoke as his hands came down to settle on my clavicles, holding me still so he could plant another kiss on my neck over the bruise there.

“I thought you were done working for your father?” he asked, nosing into my hair in a way that made shivers erupt down my spine.

“I am, but Carm asked me for help with a problem. Is that okay?” It occurred to me it might not be. I’d never spoken to Raffa about the no doubt confidential information Carmine shared with me while we shared the office.

“Of course it is,” he said, voice bright with pleased surprise. “If you would consider it, I would hire you right here and now to work with me.”

“Really?” I shivered again as he nipped my earlobe.

“Why do you sound so shocked? You have already proved immeasurably helpful both with the Chinese wine fraud and with taking down the Grecos for their Albanian shipments.”

“Well, I am looking for a job now that I plan to stay here ...” I teased, leaning into his questing mouth at my jaw. “But it might be a conflict of interest, given I’m sleeping with the boss.”

His growl was mostly a purr as his arms bracketed me on the chair from behind. “It is a good thing I make my own rules then, is it not,cacciatrice?”

“It is,” I gasped as he sucked hard at my neck and blew cool air over the wet mark. “But I can’t tell if you are joking or serious when you play with me like this.”

He jerked the chair so it spun to face him and caged me in once more, lowering his face so that finely honed handsomeness was all I could see.

“Work with me, not for me, Vera. My partner in all things, remember?” He waited for me to nod. “I was not joking about that. Have you ever heard of the Roman empress Theodora? No? Well, she was married to Emperor Justinian, who loved and respected her so adamantly that he made her his equal on the throne. She was his greatest adviser and attended state council meetings, made both political and religious decisions, and became a well-known figure in her own right.”

“You want me to be your Theodora?” I asked through the wide, jaw-aching smile on my face.

Raffa’s pale-copper eyes gleamed. “Mea Regina Infernais more apt, perhaps. But yes. Equal in all things. Why would I not want your brilliance working alongside me?”

“It’s good to know you think I’m more than just a pretty face,” I joked, and kissed his chin.

He gripped my chin in his hand, expression somber when he stated, “The prettiest face to house the most beautiful mind. I am in awe of you, Vera. Do not underestimate that.”

“I couldn’t,” I promised, pushing my fingers into the short hair over his ears to bring him closer so I could speak against his mouth. “Because I feel the very same. There is an echo, I think, between our hearts. What you feel, I feel.”

“What am I feeling right now?” he asked sinuously, licking my lower lip.

“Dinner,” Angela bellowed from down the hall in the kitchen.

I grinned and punched a kiss to his pouting mouth. “Later, I promise.”

“Having a house full of our kin is not conducive to how I feel about you agreeing to stay here and be with me,” he groused, standing up to glare at the chaos of noise outside the door as feet stampeded to the kitchen.

I laughed. “No, but maybe we can stay at the palazzo soon, just the two of us?”