Dante's Marriage Pact by Day Leclaire Read Free Book Online

imminent.
    He stopped by the receptionist’s desk on the way to the lab. The company always arranged for someone to man the station over the weekend since many Dantes events occurred then. Or they often had guests in one or more of the penthouse suites who might require assistance during their stay.
    â€œâ€™Morning, Laura.”
    She greeted him with a friendly smile. “Hello, Mr. Dante. What can I do for you?”
    â€œWhat time are Primo and Sev arriving for the meeting with Shayla?” He paused. “Damn. Forgot her last name.”
    â€œHang on. I have it here.” She called up a calendar on her computer with a punch of a button. “Charleston. Shayla Charleston. The meeting is scheduled to begin at ten-thirty. They’ll be using the Jade conference room.”
    Perfect. An hour would give him just enough time to prepare. “Give me a call when Ms. Charleston arrives, will you? I’ll be in the lab.”
    â€œCertainly, Mr. Dante.”
    As it turned out, it didn’t take long for the preliminary assessment. What he discovered stunned him. He was fairly certain it would also stun his grandfather, Primo, and his cousin, Sev. Shortly after Laura alerted him to everyone’s arrival, Draco entered the conference room through a side door.
    Shayla sat in profile. She had presence, he’d give her that, capturing everyone’s attention without even trying. She’d once again swept her mass of dark hair into an elegant knot and wore a crisp, tailored skirt and jacket, the lemony color adding a ray of sunshine in contrast to the more somber suits and ties. He couldn’t place the designer, but it was definitely a high-priced label, just as her evening gown had been.
    He caught Sev’s eye and gave him a signal indicating he wanted to sit in on the meeting. His cousin nodded and Draco took a chair at the opposite end of the table from Shayla, beside his grandfather. He suppressed a smile when she studiously avoided looking his way, a fact noted by several of his relatives.
    If she wanted to keep their relationship a secret, she was going about it the exact wrong way. She should have acknowledged him. By ignoring him, she might as well have put up a huge sign saying, “We slept together, but I don’t want anyone to figure it out.” And his sign would say, “Too late. They just have and Primo is not happy.”
    As though to bring home his point, Primo placed a hand on Draco’s shoulder, and growled in Italian, “Why must you always be the troublemaker? Explain this to me.”
    Draco didn’t bother trying to explain it. How could he explain something that came as naturally as breathing? Answering in Italian, he simply stated, “She’s mine.”
    Primo’s shaggy gray brows shot upward and his hard gold eyes widened. “So Rafe was not the only one Inferno-struck last night.”
    Draco kept his expression bland. Apparently his brother had taken his suggestion and faked a run-in with The Inferno with Larkin Thatcher. That would prove interesting. “I guess not.” He shoved back his chair and stood. “If you’ll excuse me, Primo?”
    Since it was readily apparent to everyone at the table that he and Shayla were involved, there was no point in pretending. He circled the table and took the chair next to her.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” she murmured beneath her breath. Alarm rippled through the question. “Get away from me.”
    â€œThey already know.”
    â€œI’m well aware of that fact. Primo made it abundantly clear. But you don’t have to rub it in their faces.”
    She’d caught him by surprise. “You speak Italian?”
    â€œAnd several other languages, as well.” She continued to avoid meeting his gaze. “What I don’t understand is why you felt the need to tell them about last night.”
    â€œI didn’t. You did.”
    A blush mounted her cheeks.