The Pretender (In Love With A Criminal #1)

Chapter 1 Balthazar

ONE

balthazar

Fuck my life.

The one time I really need everything to go smoothly, it does the exact opposite.

“What do you mean all flights are canceled until morning?”

I turn to the source of the high-pitched male voice beside me, finding a very lovely man with shoulder length wavy hair, big brown eyes, and delicate features. His flushed cheeks and agitated finger tapping on the airline counter reflect my own inner turmoil.

“We’re sorry, sir, but the storm came in from nowhere and is much stronger than predicted. We’re giving vouchers and there’s a hotel that the tram can take you to on the other side of the airport.”

The man beside me huffs. “It’s not your fault. I’m sorry if I was rude.”

The worker offers a kind smile. “I understand this is challenging. We’ll do our best to get everyone on an early flight in the morning. If you don’t mind taking a seat, we’ll make an announcement when the tram is ready.”

The man nods, grabs his carry-on bag from the floor, and walks over to a bank of seats. Since my questions have been answered, I follow him, taking the empty seat beside him.

“Hope you don’t mind.”

He looks up from digging inside his bag, his expression going from annoyed to blank. “No. It’s not like we can be picky.” He gestures around the packed airport. “I hope it’s a big hotel. I’m not up for sleeping on an airport floor.”

“No.”

The only positive thing about the weather is that it buys me a little time. If the airport is shut down, no one will be able to come looking for me until the plows come out in the morning. Gio hates driving in snow.

The man next to me produces a book from his bag, then settles back in the seat with it on his lap rather than opening it.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

“Uh…” I look down and open my phone to see my boarding pass. Since I bought the first flight out I could find an open seat for, I barely registered where I’m going. “Flying into Wisconsin. Madison area.”

The man looks interested. “Do you have family there?”

“Uh, no. I…” Need to come up with a good excuse to give people. “It looked like a nice spot.”

His brow crinkles. “In February? You’re going for pleasure?”

A decent explanation pops into my head. “I needed a break so I booked the first ticket out of town.”

He nods, studying my face. I hope he’s not too curious. The less anyone knows about me the better.

“Only to get grounded by a storm,” he says. “At least you weren’t on your way to a beachy vacation. That would sting even more.”

I chuckle. “It would. You?”

“What?”

“Where are you going?”

“Oh. Home. Madison. Actually a smaller town near there. It’s called Robin’s Grove.”

“Robin’s Grove. That sounds familiar.”

He perks up a bit. “Maybe you’ve heard of the wineries there. Some olive oil too.”

“Maybe. Business?”

He shakes his head and shrugs at the same time. “Kind of. My family lives there, and we own a winery.”

“Ah.”

He offers his hand. “Amadeo.”

I shake his hand. “What a unique name.”

“Yeah, it is. My parents were being creative. Most people call me Deo.”

“Balt.”

Deo raises an eyebrow. “Now that’s a unique name.”

I chuckle. “Balthazar, but it’s a mouthful. Most people call me Balt.” When they aren’t calling me “Money man.” “What is there to do in Robin’s Grove?”

“Nothing. Nada. Not one thing.”

“I see.”

“Madison has stuff but, again, it’s February. It’s cold as fuck.”

“Colder than here?”

He nods. “Way colder.”

Perfect. I can just hole up somewhere where no one would even think to look for me. An announcer starts talking over the intercom.

“Passengers of flight 1182A, the tram to the airport hotel is ready. Please proceed to baggage claim and follow the signs for the tram.”

Before she even finishes speaking, there’s a mad dash that way.

“Shit,” Deo mumbles, grabbing his bag. “We better go if we want a room.”

I nod, lifting my messenger bag. “Right.”

We hurry in that direction, navigating crowds of desperate people, and as fast as I walk, Deo keeps up with me. We make it to baggage claim in a few minutes, slightly winded but in time to take the first tram to the hotel.

Deo leans against the pole between us, stabilizing himself as the tram surges forward, glancing out the window before we’re plunged into the artificial light of the tunnels.

“Is someone expecting you?” I ask.

Deo shakes his head. “I haven’t told my family yet. It’s a surprise, I guess.”

I notice his hesitation. “Will they be happy to see you?”

“Oh yeah.” He smiles softly. “My mom especially. My nonna will be happy too.”

“Italian family?”

He nods happily. “Yep. Benedetti.”

I smile back. “Cassiano.”

“Nice.”

The tram lurches to a stop and the doors whoosh open, blasting us with cold air and a bit of snow. The hotel is just across a small walkway, but fucking hell, it’s cold. The temperature has dropped a lot since I got to the airport.

The rush of people exiting the tram is worse than the walk to baggage claim, and for some reason, I reach out and grab Deo’s hand to pull him forward to the hotel.

As expected, there’s a huge line of people all demanding a room.

Even with five hotel workers, it’s a lot to manage.

The hope of sleeping in a quiet room is fading quickly.

Thirty minutes later, we’re finally up. I walk to one clerk while Deo walks to the one beside me. My clerk has a look of pure terror on his face as he takes my ID. He clacks on the keyboard, his expression darkening as he scrolls.

“I’m so sorry, sir, but the last room was just booked.” He braces himself for the anger I’m sure he thinks I’m going to exhibit. “We are setting up cots in one of our ballrooms. Free of charge, of course.”

“I have a room.” Deo taps my arm. “I guess I got the last one.”

“Congrats.” I rub my forehead, thinking of where the safest place would be to hole up for the night. If Vin’s guys could get here, am I safer at the airport or a hotel?

“I meant you could share it with me.”

I turn my attention to Deo. “What?”

“I know it’s weird because we’re strangers, but I’ve done more than sleep in the same room with a stranger before.” He shrugs, laughing softly. “So, if you want to…”

“Are you sure?”

He nods, even as his cheeks turn pink. “I’m assuming you’re not a serial killer or something.”

“No. Besides, if I was, too many people could identify me.”

Deo chuckles, but when I don’t, he clears his throat. “Right.” He holds up his keycard. “Fifth floor.”

“Thank you, Deo. I appreciate it.”

“Of course. Come on.”

I follow him to the elevator bank, happy to leave behind the throng of people still clamoring for rooms only to find out there aren’t any.

Deo presses the button for the fifth floor, briefly glancing at me. “Bets on finding our luggage tomorrow?”

“The odds are shitty.”

He nods. “Definitely shitty.”

The elevator dings and the doors slide open. The hotel is pretty standard—beige walls, beige carpet, and generic art on the walls—but it’ll do. Beggars can’t be choosers, as they say.

I stand behind Deo as he swipes the key card and steps into the room. I follow him, flicking on the light, only to discover a new problem.

“There’s only bed,” Deo says softly. “She said it was a queen room. I assumed that meant two beds.” He turns to me, frowning. “Sorry.”

My hopes for a decent sleep are dashed, but I nod. “Thanks anyway for the offer. I’ll get out of your way.”

Before I can walk away, Deo grabs my arm. “Where are you going?”

“Down to the ballroom, I guess.”

His brow crinkles. “Why?”

I’m perplexed. “Because there’s only one bed?”

“Oh, I wasn’t kicking you out. It’s a little weirder than we thought, but I can share.”

“The bed?”

Deo nods, flicking his tongue over his bottom lip. “Sure. If you don’t mind, I don’t.”

I suppose there are worse things than sleeping in a too-small bed with an adorable man. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.” He smiles, toeing off his shoes. “You can be the big spoon.” He winks, drawing a chuckle from me.

“I can do that. This is great, thanks again.”

Deo, watching me closely as he removes his gold watch, seems to have a question on his mind, and if he does, I hope it’s one I’m willing to answer.

“Any chance you’re into guys?”

A smile tugs at my lips. “A hundred percent chance. You?”

He nods subtly as his eyes heat. “Same. What luck. No fragile masculinity damaged tonight by sleeping next to the same gender.”

I laugh at that. “All secure here.”

Deo unbuttons his silky shirt. “I’m a big believer in taking life’s lemons and making a fancy drink with them. You?”

“I’m not exactly sure what that means.”

“Storm, delayed flight. Lemons. Stuck overnight in a hotel room with a handsome man? Fancy drink.”

Nodding, I step closer to Deo, noticing how his breath hitches slightly. “I see your point.”

Deo’s chest brushes against mine, and he reaches up to touch my beard. “Be right back. Just want to freshen up real quick.”

“I’ll be right here.”

I watch him walk to the bathroom, his hips swaying as he does. Maybe this night is gonna turn out alright after all.