Page 25 of Captivated

That’s how the saying went, right?

Liliana supposed the quicker she got inside the Marcello mansion, and figured out what was going on, then the quicker she could get back home and relax. She had to practically drag her tired legs—and stiff back—up the marble entrance to the mansion.

The man posted at the door gave her a nod before opening it, and stepping back. “You will find your father in the upstairs office, Liliana.”

“Thanks.”

So, it was Daddy who called me in.

It was only lately that her grandparents had begun posting enforcers at their doorstep, and usually only at night when the sun went down, or if they were having a big party and needed extra precautions. They didn’t typically have the guards so close, but they also didn’t like it being pointed out, for whatever reason. Age, she supposed. No one liked to feel like someone else thought they were incapable, or something like that.

Liliana was half way to the office—just coming up to the top of the staircase into the upper wing of the mansion—when a familiar face greeted her.

At the sight of her, he instantly grinned. A sexy, yet still sweet grin that accompanied the way his gaze drifted over the comfortable flats on her feet, tight leggings, and the long-sleeved body suit she hadn’t gotten the chance to change out of. Usually, she would do that once she got home.

He didn’t hide his staring at all.

And her heart skipped.

Joe.

“Back again so soon?” she asked him.

Joe laughed, and gave a half-hearted shrug. “Seems I am going to be around for a while.”

Was she supposed to complain about that, or something? Because she couldn’t find a single reason to do that.

Not at all.

“Good,” Liliana said.

“Is it?” Joe asked back.

“Is it, what?”

“Good, Tesoro.”

Treasure.

Liliana felt a familiar heat climb up her throat, and threaten to color her cheeks with a pretty red. She used to be a shy girl who blushed at every little thing. Somehow, she had grown out of the trait over the years, and she was grateful for doing so.

Yet, here she was with this man about to turn into a teenager again who flushed and tittered at every little compliment he gave her. Add in the way her stomach did the strangest clenching and flipping whenever he stared at her, and yeah …

She was screwed.

“I think it’s good,” she said.

“And why is that?”

Liliana tried to play her interest off because that seemed easier than stumbling over her words to admit she was curious, and interested in him. “Guess we’ll find out, huh?”

Joe laughed again.

That sound—the look of him when he tossed his head back and let loose—was intoxicating. Liliana had seen firsthand how this man was able to flip his switches back and forth when it came to other people. She watched him shut off, and shut down like it was nothing. Warm to her, and then cold to someone else in a blink.

So, when she was able to get a glimpse of him like this?

Free, defenseless, and happy?