Page 44 of Steal My Heart

And as soon as I find Ellis Harrell, he’ll learn that lesson.

Chapter Fourteen

Remi

“Yes, the man saved your life, but that doesn’t mean we can trust him,” I explain to Nola as we stroll along the property. Angelo isn’t back from doingwhateverit is a mob boss does. Based on my limited mobster knowledge, I assume kneecaps are involved.

“I’m working a job for him, and things need to remain strictly business,” I declare.

No touching. No flirting. No kissing. Andespeciallyno coming on the barrel of his gun.

My entire body warms at the memory, but I continue, “If I get my heart involved, he’ll break it. And yours too. We have to be smart. Do the job and get out; eyes on the prize.”

Nola lets her feelings about my speech be known by taking a number two.

She covers the evidence with dirt, and we return to the house, passing the pool. “And no swimming without human supervision, you hear me?”

Shemeows, but I can’t interpret.

We return inside, and I unhook her harness and leash.

“I’ve never seen a cat walk on a leash,” Alessandra comments from behind the kitchen counter.

“You’re not a cat, she wasn’t talking about you,” I tell Nola.

Nola does what I imagine is her version of storming out of the room.

“What a queen,” Alessandra says.

“She certainly thinks so. What are you doing?” I ask, walking around the island to join her. “Why are you painting handcuffs?”

She grins, moving the airbrush over a link in the chains. “Fabien’s getting out of prison soon, and I’m playing around with welcome home cake ideas.”

“That’s a cake?” I lean over, taking a closer look.

“Yep. Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache moulded into the shape of handcuffs, covered with silver fondant,” she explains. “It’s either going to be really funny, or way too soon to make jokes.”

“Well, however it’s received, you’re insanely talented,” I tell her.

Her cheeks flush. “Nah, I’ve just got too much time on my hands and have fallen down the rabbit hole of realistic cake videos.”

Iclickmy tongue. “As my mawmaw always said, it’s rude to refuse a gift. And a compliment is a gift.” I nod to her edible artwork. “This is talent.”

“Thanks,” she mumbles.

An obnoxiouswhizzingsound has both of us glancing out the window. Angelo Calvani is expertly using a power tool, attaching what looks like a floating ramp in the deep end of the pool. And weirdly, it’s doing something to my ovaries.

“I might have said those things to Angelo, hoping you’d overhear; to punish my brother,” she says, and I snap out of it.“Not saying they aren’t all true—he did have a situationship with Laurie—but maybe you could give him the benefit of the doubt.”

I shake my head. “I’m glad you said that. Besides, your brother and I aren’t anything?—”

“He’s building your ca—not a cat,” Alessandra self-corrects. “He’s building Nola a ramp in our pool. Looks likesomethingto me.”

With determination, I march to the pool, with Nola trotting along beside me. Glancing down at my bare knees, I remind myself how I enjoy walking. Do the job, and thenwalkoff into the sunset; screw those turkey trot runners.

Before I can get my life jacket zipped, Nola’s already in the pool.

Ever curious, she swims over to the floating ramp, where Angelo appears, dressed in swim trunks.