by Day Leclaire
“What you’re going to do about me.”
“Not quite.” Then she hesitated and a hint of relief caused her eyes to glitter like gemstones. He didn’t need the blazing light bulb flashing over her head to tell him she’d come up with a plan to escape her predicament. “Madam, quick question.”
“Yes, dear?”
“How are we compensating Mr. Dante for his time and expertise?” She actually smiled at Madam’s small inhalation of alarm. “Bodyguards don’t come cheap. And you know we’re under serious budgetary constraints for the next six weeks.”
“Well, I—”
“Didn’t Nonna explain?” Luc offered smoothly. “Consider it your twenty-fifth birthday present from all the Dantes.”
“How generous.” He could hear the grit through the politeness. “But I couldn’t possibly accept such an expensive gift.”
He allowed irony to slide through his words. “No, no. Don’t thank us. It’s our pleasure. Besides, babysitters charge far less than bodyguards. Even if you were to refuse, it wouldn’t cost you much at all to hire me.” He pushed back his chair and stood. “I’ll tell you what. Why don’t we continue this meeting in private in order to settle the particulars?”
“Excellent suggestion,” she replied crisply and gathered up her briefcase and shoulder bag. “My office?”
Not private enough for what he had in mind. Not nearly private enough. “I have an apartment close by.”
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
Ignoring her, he gave Nonna and Madam each a kiss. Then draping a powerful arm around Téa’s shoulders, he swept her from the restaurant. A cab lingered just outside the door and he bundled her inside, with her protesting all the way. He gave the driver the address to his apartment complex and settled back against the seat.
All the while, Téa bristled with feminine outrage. With her rioting red curls and flashing eyes, she looked like a marmalade cat who’d been rubbed the wrong way. He couldn’t quite help taking a certain pleasure in having upset her tidy little world. Considering the ease with which she’d upended his, it seemed only fair.
The cab had barely pulled away from the curb before she started protesting. “I have to get back to work. I don’t have time for this. I don’t know what sort of game you’re playing, Luciano Dante, but I’m not in the mood for it.”
“I’m giving our grandmothers what they asked for. If I can spare six weeks out of my life to make sure you reach twenty-five, you can put up with having me around.”
“Well, shoot.”
He’d clearly gotten her with that one. She took a moment to call the office and inform them of her change in schedule before turning her jumble of cell phones from vibrate to ring, meticulously checking each for messages before stowing them away. Not that she was through arguing. Not this one.
The minute she finished fussing with her phones, she pushed a tumble of curls from her eyes and glared at him. “And another thing, what was that weird zap you gave to me when we first shook hands?”
He gave an “I’m clueless” shrug, hoping it would satisfy. It didn’t.
“Don’t give me that. I’ve heard you Dantes have some bizarre touch thing you use on women. It knocks them right off their feet and into your bed.” A sudden thought struck and her eyes widened. “Is that what you have planned with me? Are you taking me to your place so you can knock me off my feet and into your bed?”
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Meet Day Leclaire
I love family first and foremost, which is why writing a family saga is so much fun. Maybe you can tell that from my books since they always feature the warmth and joy that comes from having a close-knit family. I also love animals and have taken in rescue dogs and cats and fostered dogs for the local animal shelter. And of course, I love writing. All I need is a functioning brain (batteries not included), a pen, and paper, and I can write anywhere. Please don’t let a conversation with me lag because my imagination takes over and I. Am. Checked. Out!
USA Today bestselling author, Day Leclaire is the author of more than 60 novels and has received an impressive eleven nominations for the romance industry's most prestigious award, Romance Writers of America RITA© Award. Day lives in Charlotte, NC and spends her days obsessively writing while vaguely remembering to pay attention to her adorable husband, busy son and daughter-in-law, two tiny grandchildren, and two even tinier Teddy Bear dogs. Not to mention a whole lot of dust!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read The Dante Inferno: The Dante Dynasty Series. I hope you enjoy this very special Italian-American family. I love hearing from my readers. For a personal response, please contact me at [email protected]. And be sure to visit my website. Sign up for my newsletter for my latest releases and insider info available nowhere else!
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Dedication
To Nancy Cecelia Totton.
You’ve been missed for far too long.
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Cover Design by Melyssa Naujoks, 2019
Copyright © 2019 by Day Totton Smith. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. ISBN-13: 9781939925251
Copyright © 2008 Dante’s Contract Marriage by Day Totton Smith. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. ISBN-13: 9781426822841
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