Her Return to King's Bed(80)

                “I know.”

                Gianni’s eyebrows lifted high on his forehead. “You surprise                     me. I’d thought I would have to…convince you to uphold your end of the                     bargain.”

                “The bargain has nothing to do with this. Letting her go is the                     right thing to do,” Rico said, a sharp stab of pain accompanying those                     words.

                The thought of losing her broke his heart. But if he kept her                     here, he would never really have her. If she                     left…there might be a chance for them later.

                “My father was right about you,” Gianni said softly. “You are a                     dangerous man.”

                Before he could figure out what the other man meant by that,                     his office door flew open and Teresa stormed inside. She was wearing her white                     chef’s uniform and as she slammed the door behind her, she snatched the hat from                     her head and tossed it aside.

                “Teresa,” her brother said warmly, “you look wonderful.”

                “Gianni, I’m not leaving,” she said flatly.

                “How did you know he was here?” Rico asked.

                “Your assistant called to tell me when Gianni arrived. I had a                     soufflé in the oven and couldn’t get away until just now.”

                Rico sighed and shook his head. She had friends all over the                     hotel and they were apparently willing to spy for her.

                “Your brother was just leaving. As are you,” Rico said. “The                     bargain is finished. Go back to your family.”

                She looked as though he’d slapped her and he winced. It wasn’t                     his intention to bring her more pain.

                “We talked about this, Rico,” she reminded him, hands at her                     hips. “I’m staying.”

                “I’ve reconsidered.” He ignored Gianni just as Teresa was. “We                     made a deal. The month is over.”

                “You can’t mean this,” she muttered. “What if I’m                     pregnant?”

                “Pregnant?” Gianni scowled at                     Rico.