3. Dante
DANTE
Well, this complicates things. How did their prior friendship not show up in my research?
I chose Luca as my contractor on this project to gain an introduction to Rose.
I turned down the first three designers Luca recommended until he finally brought up Rose as an option.
However, when I dug into their connection, I only found documentation of the previous projects they’ve worked on together, which is what led me to choose Precision Builders in the first place.
I didn’t find anything about them attending the same high school, let alone being friends, which seems strange since I vetted Luca extensively to ensure there was no possible connection outside of working together.
I need to keep my composure, get through this cursed walkthrough, and get Rose and Luca off my property so I can do some more digging and find out about their shared history.
I was already caught off guard by Rose when she stepped out of her Mercedes.
Although I've had her under surveillance for the past year, watching her from a distance and on surveillance videos didn’t do her captivating beauty justice.
I pretended not to notice her arrival to give myself a few seconds to compose myself before making introductions.
But instead of the charismatic gentleman role I intended to play to gain her trust, I was struck by her unique eyes as we stood there staring at each other, and I could barely form a single thought.
I knew she had heterochromia from my time watching her, but knowing it and seeing it in person are two very different experiences.
I’ve always thought a person’s eyes are the easiest way to read someone, especially a potential mark, but having her gaze trained solely and intensely on me only feet away has taken my perfectly crafted character and put him on his heels.
I was granted a small mercy. Knowing she was equally affected by my appearance gave me a chance to clear my thoughts, get back on track, and take control of our interaction.
I know the effect I have on women, and some men, quite frankly, and I fully intend to use that to my advantage.
I didn’t mean to be so combative with her or show my frustration, but her sass pulled me in, and I couldn’t help but banter.
Sassy, beautiful, confident women who know how and when to push back are top tier in my experience, and Rose is no exception.
She is the most captivating woman I have ever encountered.
I have half a mind to track down her so-called mentor and teach him how we handle disrespect within the family.
He deserves more than a middle finger in a meeting, however amusing it was for me to watch through the video surveillance.
Rose is nothing if not theatrical. That prick’s reckoning will have to wait, though.
I can’t play her white knight when I’m about to become the real villain of her story.
And why did I invite her in for a drink?
At least Luca has been good for one thing—a distraction.
Luca has actually exceeded my expectations with not only the build of my house but also with his discretion and lack of questions when I described the secretive nature of my home and the need to keep it that way.
Rose, on the other hand, is objectively the best luxury designer at Franklin & Sons, and her talents were widely wasted there from everything I’ve seen.
Plus, her ability to work with the pretentious elites of New York while keeping a genuine smile on her face is something that can’t be taught.
While I don’t intend for her to actually design my house in its entirety due to my strict timeline, it will be nice to get her vision so I can use it as a blueprint for finishing the project once she’s been dealt with. I might as well use this assignment to my benefit.