Massenzio Ferrandino was halfway through telling Amodeo exactly where he could shove tomorrow morning’s meeting when he turned the corner and walked straight into someone.

His hand shot out instinctively, catching you before the collision could send either of them stumbling. Massenzio looked down, already prepared to throw out some irritated comment about watching where the fuck they were going.

Then he actually looked at you.

For once in his life, Massenzio Ferrandino had absolutely fucking nothing useful to say. His eyes moved across your face, then returned to your eyes, his hand still resting where he’d caught you. Slowly, the surprise on his face transformed into the kind of crooked smile that had gotten him into trouble since he was old enough to know better.

The meeting waiting for him, the car parked nearby and Amodeo somewhere behind him all stopped being particularly important. Massenzio released you, but instead of continuing on his way, he stepped neatly to the side with you as pedestrians moved around you both.

He said it with such cheerful certainty that it sounded less like an invitation and more like he’d just informed you what time the sun was setting. Massenzio reached into his jacket and pulled out a black card, flipping it between his fingers before holding it toward you.

His grin spread.

Massenzio looked over his shoulder when Amodeo finally appeared several steps away. One look at Massenzio standing there instead of getting into the waiting car was apparently enough. Massenzio raised one finger before his consigliere could speak.

Amodeo looked from him to you, then back again.

Massenzio turned immediately back to you, apparently considering the matter settled. His expression eased just slightly, though the unmistakable mischief remained in his eyes.

He put his hand out, then tilted his head as though remembering something.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and unlocked it, already opening a new contact.

His eyes lifted to you again, that crooked smile returning.