Mid-chew, I slowly turn around.
Stefano Castello stands in the kitchen archway, hands in his pockets.Perfectly perfect as ever in a fitted three-piece suit.“Did no one warn you what we do tothievesaround here?”
I finish chewing, swallow, and meet his gaze.“Surely, you won’t kill me over twocookies.”
“Liars lie.Thieves steal.Today it’s cookies, tomorrow it’s something else.”
“Good grief, you’re dramatic.It’s just cookies.”I close my eyes and inhale deeply.“You smell that?How could I resist?”
“So what you’re telling me is, if I put you to work handling my money, you wouldn’t be able to stop yourself from stealing.‘Look at all this money, how could I resist?’”
Oh, for Pete’s sake.Is he serious right now?Over some damn cookies that Cora would’ve happily given me anyway?
“Look, I’m not a thief or a liar, all right?Iwould’vewaited for Cora, but I wanted to get out of here before...”I gesture vaguely between us.“Thiscould happen.”
Mercifully, Cora ambles in right then, her face lighting up at the sight of Stefano.
No question who’s her favorite.
“Oh, Stefano!Did you need something?Let me get it for you.”
“Nothing needed,” he replies, his glare still pinned on me.“Just caught your precious littleRayahere helping herself to your bakes.”
Cora swivels as if she hadn’t even noticed me standing there.“You’re leaving already?I was putting together apasticcinitray for you and Gio.He loves these treats as much as you.But they’re not done yet.If you have to go now, I’ll get them to you later.”
The indignant flare in Stefano’s eyes almost makes me laugh.Like a pissy little snot who’s mad I didn’t get scolded after tattling on me.
“Oh, Cora, that’s so sweet of you,” I say, layering on the saccharine.“Thank you for thinking of me.I was on the way out and they looked so delicious.Forgive me for dipping my hand in the cookie jar too soon.”
She waves me off.“You’re welcome to anything on my table, darling.Once everything is done, I’ll send some over for you.”
“Thanks so much, Cora.”I give her a one-armed hug.“Really appreciate it.”
Over her shoulder, I throw Stefano a smug wink.
Yup.Hedefinitelywants to murder me.In cold blood.
“Okay, I’m off!”
As I trek out of the house, munching on stolen treats, Cora comments to Stefano, “Sweet girl.Sucha sweet, sweet girl.”
Ha!
Halfway through the main area, my grin falters at the sound of firm, confident footsteps closing in behind me.
They follow me straight to the door.
Crossing over the threshold, I turn to face him.“Need something?”
His stare is a sharp blade, slicing me open.“Just making sure you don’t steal anything else.”
He’s still on this?It’s no secret he’s a vain, avaricious, materialistic bastard, but this is ridiculous.
“Well, damn.”I gesture at the ornate door knocker.“This thingwaslooking a little tempting.”
I bite into a fresh cookie.Yum.White chocolate and pistachio.
“Why do you insist on hating me?”I muse, licking crumb from my lip.“You heard Cora.I’m a sweet, sweet girl.”
