19

Damon

We’d dined in a private dining room downstairs, discussing a distribution deal throughout, though it hadn’t been all business conversation. Carlotta had more than once “accidentally” touched my thigh, and I kept moving away from her. By the end of breakfast, I was almost pressed against Gianluca, who’d seemed more amused than anything. He must have realized his sister was still stalking me.

That was prey she’d never acquire, but I doubted she’d ever stop trying. Even when she’d been married for a while, she’d offered herself to me a week after her wedding. I’d brushed her off gently, but it had changed my impression of her. I’d liked her well enough until then, though I hadn’t desired her, but that had caused a fundamental shift in the way I saw her. I still enjoyed her company in a superficial way, but Gianluca was my true friend of the pair, and I’d never seek out Carlotta for anything on my own.

We were passing the main dining room when Carlotta let out a shrill laugh. It was