Page 39 of Steal My Heart

He releases his hold and crosses the room, retrieving his phone before stalking out.

Chapter Twelve

Angelo

Before I can decide if I should go back to the study and kill Remi or kiss Remi, I run into Maks.

“Boss, I got an alert from our IT guy. Forwarding you the link now.”

I click on it, nearly cracking my phone. It’s the local society paper’s community section, with a photo of me and Remi at the charity gala.

Mystery couple seen sharing a passionate kiss at this weekend’s gala. Any guesses who they are?

I switch over to Italian, just in case a curious set of ears is listening. “Come diavolo è stata scattata questa foto, figuriamoci trapelata?”How the hell was this photo taken, let alone leaked?

“Stanno lavorando per ripulirli ed estrarre i dati mentre parliamo.”They’re working to clean this up and extract the data as we speak.

I run a hand down my face. “L’ultima cosa di cui ho bisogno è che Laurie lo veda e che il mio invito alla festa inaugurale venga revocato.”The last thing I need is Laurie seeing this and my invitation to the inaugural party get rescinded.

It’ll complicate the hell out of this situation, but no way I’m allowing Remi to go to the party without me.

My thumbs fly over my phone, a fishing expedition to determine whether Laurie’s seen the online gossip.

Looking forward to attending the inaugural party with you this weekend.

Bubbles appear as I wait impatiently for her reply.

Me too! I only wish I had something to wear…

Laurie’s transparency is laughable.

I’ll send over several gown options for you to choose from.

How thoughtful!

“Make sure this is scrubbed from the web ASAP.”

“Will do,” Maks says, typing on his phone.

Now to put out the next fire, I take the stairs two at a time, reaching Al’s room. “Open up.” I knock insistently on her door.

“Go away.”

“What have I done now?” I call wearily.

“Choose from the laundry list of your sins.”

“I don’t have time to go through that list. I’m coming in.” Using my master key, I open the door. She’s lying on her bed wearing headphones, staring at the ceiling. Nola’s asleep beside her. The cat opens one eye, giving me a warning look, before closing it.

So much for our peace accord from earlier.

“I thought you were afraid of the bobcat?”

“She’s not a bobcat,” Al answers, as if I haven’t been saying that the whole damn time.

“Did you tell Remi about our family?” I ask point-blank.

“No. Did you tell Remi that you’re cheating on her with Laurie?” She shoots daggers at me.