Allan walked out of Mr. Torino’s office feeling a hundred pounds lighter. The deal was done and all that was left was putting their signatures on the contract.Mr. Torino had called for him immediately after they arrived at the hotel. Allan didn’t have to wonder what it was about. He had made himself clear at brunch that he was going to hand over the company to him. So it didn’t surprise him when Mr. Torino asked Allan to settle the bank loan which had grown considerably in the last two months.Not that he cared, but Allan asked if he and his children had another source of income. Leaving Mr. Torino destitute would not go over well with Riana.Anthony and Antonia had trust funds and Mr. Torino had his savings, which he would keep him comfortable for the rest of his life. With that out of the way, Allan called his lawyer to draw up the necessary paper work then left Mr. Torino to join Riana in their suite.They had three hours till dinner

“What?” Allan asked taking a sip of his drink before looking over his shoulder. His eyes bulged out and he began coughing. Riana asked for a glass of water from the bartender. She handed it to Allan who was still looking at her like she’d walked in naked—well, she was a little exposed. But not naked. He took a few gulps, his eyes still moving over her. “Fuck, Riana!” She took the glass away from him and placed it on the counter. “Language, Allan.” “Signorina Albury!” The man standing with them exclaimed like she wasn’t what he expected. Riana almost asked ‘who else do you think I am’ instead she said, “Si, Signore, but you have me at a disadvantage. I don’t know who you are.” He chuckled and turned to Allan. “Naïve and sweet, huh?” He shook his head and turned back to her, holding out his hand. “Dante Vittorio, Sinclair’s lawyer—here in Italy at least.” Riana placed her hand in his and smiled at him. “I should have recognized your voice. You are always on the phone with Allan. I

“What?” Riana looked from him to Dante as she pulled the dress to cover her leg. It stayed put for a while before it fluidly slipped off her leg like water against marble. Oh damn! Mr. Torino chuckled, and Dante groaned, his eyes riveted on her leg. Allan cursed, quickly taking the seat next to her teasing leg and placing the napkin from the table to cover her thigh. She looked at him with a quirked brow before she smiled that ‘oh, not so innocent’ teasing smile and said, “Oops!” “Yeah right, little witch!” Dante took the seat next to him laughing. “Remind me to send Guliana a thank you gift basket.” “Remind me to send Guliana a pink slip,” Allan grumbled. Riana giggled and cupped his cheek in her hand. “No, you won’t. She was going for a specific reaction from you, and I think she accomplished it. Her masterpiece was a success.” Allan leaned in close and whispered, “Her master piece is about to be

The setting was perfect, romantic even, if he had any intention of admit to his feelings and confess them as she had just done. He knew she had fallen for him and the usual protocol for this kind of complication was…He let go of her and stepped away. “I’m going to the upper deck. You should go pack.”He heard her quick intake of breath as more tears spilled. “Go pack,” she whispered in a deadpan voice. “I tell you I love you and you respond with ‘go pack’?”Allan remained silent. There was nothing he could say that would salvage this moment. Anything that came out of his mouth would only make things worse.He turned around to leave. He had gotten as far as the railing before he felt something hit his back, making him arch forward in pain with a hiss. Allan looked down at the offensive object and cursed loudly. “My iPad! Of all the stuff in this room you choose my iPad? I have work on it!”She chortled bitterly throwing her hands up. “Of course, the only thing you love—your damn work!

“What?”“You took what is important to me so I took what is important to you,” he announced with a sadistic laugh.Alan felt his chest crush into his heart. She couldn’t be…she just couldn’t be!“The beautiful Riana is dead. But I made sure to taste her wonderful charms before I put a bullet in her kind warm heart.” He kissed his fingers. “Deliziosa!”“You are lying!” Allan yelled.He refused to believe she was dead. He refused to believe Anthony had violated her. Riana was strong. She would have fought. She would have found a way to get away from him.With new hope, Allan asked, “She isn’t even here is she?”Anthony shook his head with a tsk. “Wishful thinking my friend.”Allan held onto hope. “She would have fought you! She would rather be dead than have you touch her!”Anthony shru