Chapter Nine: The Dinner

She spent the afternoon exploring their quarters.

Discovering new luxuries at every turn.

The bathroom with its enormous tub and shower.

Stocked with expensive toiletries.

The closet already filled with clothes in her size.

Tags still attached.

Another smaller closet filled with beautiful baby clothes for Lily.

It was all too much.

Too perfect.

And it made her suspicion grow rather than diminish.

No one did something like this out of the goodness of their heart.

There had to be a catch.

At precisely seven o’clock, a soft knock came at her door.

A middle-aged woman with a kind face introduced herself as Mrs. Chen.

The housekeeper.

“Mr. Russo asked me to show you to dinner.”

She said.

“And to offer to watch the little one while you eat.”

Harper hesitated.

Protective instincts flaring.

“I don’t know—”

Mrs. Chen’s smile was understanding.

“Of course you’re cautious with your baby. I raised three of my own. Why don’t I stay here in your quarters with her? You’ll only be in the dining room. If she needs anything, I can come get you immediately.”

Her reasonable suggestion and motherly demeanor calmed Harper’s anxiety.

She agreed.

Showing her where she’d put Lily’s things.

Explaining her routine.

Though she had a feeling Mrs. Chen probably knew more about caring for babies than she did.

The dining room was smaller than she expected.

Intimate rather than grand.

A table that could seat eight was set for only two.

Soft lighting from a crystal chandelier cast a warm glow.

Over polished wood and fine china.

Alessio Russo stood when she entered.

His dark eyes taking in the simple black dress she’d found in the closet.

“You look better.”

He said, pulling out a chair for her.

“Rest suits you.”

She sat.

Acutely aware of his proximity as he pushed in her chair.

“Thank you for the clothes. Everything, really. It’s overwhelming.”

He took his seat across from her.

His movements fluid and controlled.

“You’ll get used to it.”

A server appeared.

Pouring wine and presenting the first course.

A delicate soup that smelled divine.

Her stomach growled audibly.

She flushed with embarrassment.

“Eat.”

Russo said.

His mouth quirking slightly at the corners.

“Don’t stand on ceremony here.”

She didn’t need to be told twice.

The soup was the most delicious thing she’d tasted in months.

She had to force herself to eat slowly.

With dignity.

They ate in silence for a while.

The only sounds the clink of silverware against fine china.

She was hyper-aware of his eyes on her.

Studying her with that same intense focus she’d noticed in the restaurant.

“You said we would talk.”

She finally ventured, setting down her spoon.

“About why I’m here.”

Russo took a sip of his wine.

Considering her over the rim of his glass.

“What do you know about Eric Lombard?”

He asked.

The non sequitur throwing her off balance again.

“Not much.”

She admitted.

Caught off guard by the mention of Lily’s father.

“We dated for a few months. He was charming. Seemed successful. When I got pregnant, he disappeared.”

She shrugged.

Trying to seem indifferent.

Though the abandonment still stung.

“Why does he matter?”

Russo set down his glass with deliberate care.

“Eric Lombard worked for me.”

Her heart stuttered in her chest.

“What?”

“He was my accountant. One of them.”

Russo’s voice was calm.

But she could sense the underlying steel.

“Until he stole five million dollars from me and vanished.”

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