Free Franco's Fortune (Redemption Book 2) by Cara Marsi Page B

as
protection from her longings.
    A mask seemed to slip over his face. The moment was
lost. A twinge of regret settled in her chest.
    She turned and walked up the stairs. He reset the
alarm and followed her.
    When they got to her room, he looked over to the bed
where clothes covered the beige down comforter. “I see you had a
good day.”
    “Mitzi and the store’s personal shopper were more
than helpful. I think they both got a vicarious thrill out of
selecting all these clothes.”
    “I’m sure they did.” He strode to the bed and began
sorting through the garments, glancing at her and putting some to
the side. Feeling suddenly disconcerted, she stood straighter,
ignoring the hammering in her chest. Finally he picked up a green
silk wrap dress with a low neckline. “This will look perfect on
you. Get dressed. We go out in an hour.”
    “Wait a minute.” She put a hand on her hip and
glared at him. “Where do you get off ordering me around like that?
You need to run your plans by me ahead of time, and I don’t mean an
hour before. I’ll choose my own clothes. Where are you planning to
go?”
    He chuckled. “Jo, you are too much.” Moving closer,
he touched her chin with his fingers and tilted her head until
their eyes met. “I don’t mean to order you around. I’m used to
issuing orders all day at work. Sometimes it’s hard to shift gears.
Please wear the dress. For me. It matches your eyes. We’re going to
a booksigning at a wine shop. I’d forgotten until my assistant
reminded me about it today.”
    “A booksigning at a wine shop? You’ve got to be
kidding.”
    “What better place to sign books? It’s a surefire
way to get a large crowd. The author is the wife of a big client
and I have to go. Her book is a mystery set in a wine shop so the
venue makes sense.”
    He bent and brushed his lips over hers. “Get
dressed, beautiful. Harris will be here in an hour. You’ll enjoy
it. I promise.”
    <><><>
    Harris pulled the car to the curb in front of the
trendy wine shop on Philadelphia’s South Street. They sat in the
car while Jo and Harris scanned the elegantly clad crowd waiting
outside in an area roped off in red velvet, no less, to go into the
shop. Curious onlookers stood on the other side of the ropes,
gawking at the well-heeled people confined within the velvet.
    Earlier the three of them had studied the picture of
DiGiacomo. They’d be on the lookout for the suspect. “I don’t like
this,” Jo said. “Too many people. DiGiacomo could be in this crowd.
I thought this was invitation-only. Why are there so many
bystanders?”
    “Susan’s book has been getting good reviews and
she’s making a name for herself among the locals,” Franco said. “I
guess people wanted to come out and see if they could get a glimpse
of her.” He smiled. “I suspect they also want a glimpse of the
people privileged to get an invitation.”
    “I don’t see anyone in that crowd who looks like
DiGiacomo,” Harris said. “I’m keeping the car here and I’ll watch
who comes and goes.” He glanced toward the front of the shop.
“Looks like they opened the doors. Wait until everyone’s inside,
then get out there.” He turned in the driver’s seat to look at Jo.
“Keep your gun and your phone close. You’ll both be safe.”
    Jo chewed her lip. “I’d feel better if we weren’t
here.”
    Agitation flashed over Franco’s face. “This is an
important client. I have to be here. I won’t live like a
hermit.”
    The frustration in Franco’s voice ate at Jo like
acid in her stomach. She hated living like this too. She blew out a
breath. “I know, Franco. Let’s get this show on the road. With
Harris and me working together, nothing will happen to you.”
    Jo and Franco waited for Harris to open the
passenger door. When Franco helped Jo from the car, the flash of
cameras going off made her blink. As they walked toward the wine
shop, she scanned the people milling around. Most looked merely
curious.