Page 78 of Snaring Emberly

“Oh god,” I say with a sigh. “Someone needs to stop that man.”

“That’s what Gil said.” She wiggles her shoulders and smirks.

“Right.” I rub the back of my neck. “The one you called Roman’s second in command.”

She nods. “We were at the Phoenix last night, taking advantage of the VIP flier when I saw your bae.”

“Bae?” I shake off the word and focus on the rest of her story.

“Gil swaggered over and chatted me up. He couldn’t get enough of me.”

“I thought you said you approached them about the rent?”

Ignoring me, she continues. “He bought all of us champagne and took me back to his apartment for the hottest night of my life. When he saw my bruises, he growled.”

“What did he say?”

Annalisa’s features pinch into a scowl, and she lowers her voice. “Who did this to you?”

“Oh.”

“I told him everything about the harassing cops, and he got on the phone, called a few numbers, and asked me if I wanted to stay in his penthouse until the heat died down.”

“And you said yes.”

She pouts. “What choice did I have?”

Fuck. I can’t believe my shitty luck with men is now getting Annalisa hurt. I walk across the room and flop down on a seat. “You’re right. I’m so sorry for dragging you into my chaos.”

She waves away the apology. “Emberly, I knew sharing an apartment with an artist would bring me clout, but this is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me.”

I blow out a long breath, trying to make sense of the mess I’ve created of Annalisa’s life. If I had known causing a fuss at Gallery Lafayette would summon a lowlife like Jim, I would have cut my losses and walked out.

Because of Gerard Lafayette, I’m now living in a mafia stronghold and Annalisa is staying with a henchman who is definitely not Roman’s deputy.

“Gil drove me back to the apartment in the middle of the night, where a few others brought the trunk. He asked me to pack a bag for myself and help you move all your things.”

I nod, still numb from the shock that Jim assaulted Annalisa.

Two sharp knocks sound on the door, which opens to reveal Sofia. “Would you like lunch inside or by the pool?”

“Pool.” Annalisa shoots out of her seat. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t know you had a maid!”

I cringe at my roommate’s lack of tact. “Sofia isn’t?—”

“It’s alright, Miss Emberly,” Sofia replies, her voice sharp.

Annalisa follows Sofia out, where she sits at an outdoor table like royalty. My shoulders sag. I’m glad Gil rescued her from being assaulted and harassed and I want her to be safe, but I hope Roman won’t allow her to stay with me.

I walk out of the pool house to find Annalisa holding up an empty glass. “Do you have Château Lafite Rothschild?”

“The family only drinks Italian wine.” Sofia sets a bottle on the table beside a gift box large enough to hold a beach ball. “Mr. Montesano wanted you to have this.”

I stare down at the label on its white surface, expecting it to reveal another brief message.

“Oooh, the Dolce Vita Boutique!” Annalisa says with a squeal. “It’s one of the most exclusive in Alderney Hills. Let me see.”

“Let’s eat first.” I grab the box and take it into the pool house, and set it on the bed in the back room.