"Tell me, Miss Scalese. Why exactly are two men losing their minds over you?" Luca asked sarcastically.
"I'm a rare breed." She shot back and paused a moment. "How is he?"
"I cannot talk to you about him."
"You want my help?"
"No. I am merely taking you shopping. You know, for your wedding." Luca said.
The deflection was almost elegant. Almost. But not quite enough.
"You want my help getting my sister to forgive you? I will be spending your money and the only thing we will be talking about today is Marco."
The elevator continued its descent, the numbers ticking down slowly above them, each passing floor stretching the moment thinner.
"Miss Scalese…"
There was a warning in the way he said her name. A reminder of who he was, what he was used to, how conversations like this usually ended—with him in control.
But Val didn't flinch.
"Deal or no deal?"
She knew what she was offering. More importantly, she knew what he stood to lose if he said no.
