Page 66 of Check Mate

My heart speeds up, knowing all the bigwigs are here.

“Don’t worry, they’ll adore you.” She gives me an endearing look then loops her arm through mine. “We’ll stick together tonight, there’s no need to be intimidated.”

Bridget guides us through two large glass doors and onto a large terrace that’s right on the water and decorated with thousands of fresh flowers. Bridget waves to someone she knows then tugs me over toward a server carrying a tray of colorful cocktails. She releases my arm so she can grab two cocktails and hands me one.

“For the nerves.” She smiles and raises her glass before taking a sip.

Looking around the terrace, I instantly feel overwhelmed. The gentlemen are all wearing suits that look really expensive and perfectly tailored, and the ladies are dressed up in various cocktail dresses. The breeze coming off the water is cool, but my nerves are keeping me warm. I tip my glass up and finish my drink. It tastes so sweet and syrupy, I can barely detect a hint of alcohol. Basically, this cocktail is dangerous and I need to pace myself.

Bridget tugs on my elbow. “Oh! There’s Dante Vergara, Monaco Hotel’s CEO.”

I focus my gaze where Bridget is looking and see an older but handsome man with dark hair and tanned skin. By his name I’m assuming he’s Italian. He’s surrounded by three younger men who look enough like him to be his sons, and they all have lovely dates with them.

One of the younger men in the group looks over and makes eye contact with me. He looks familiar. He turns to the blonde woman next to him and nudges her. She looks over at me, and my eyes widen in surprise.

I grin and rush towards Anthony and Hannah, who I haven’t seen since leaving Peru.

“Isabella? Oh my gosh!” Hannah yells from halfway across the room, drawing everyone’s attention to us.

I’m so excited to see her, my nerves are gone and we run to each other, squealing like teenagers. “Hannah!” I pull her into my arms as soon as we reach each other.

Anthony is behind her, grinning at us but also looking mildly embarrassed by our antics. Once his wife releases me, he steps forward and hugs me. “Great to see you, Isabella!”

“What are you guys doing here?” I ask, but before either of them can answer, the group they were with surrounds us.

The older gentleman, who looks like a slightly older version of Anthony and the other two young men in the group, extends his hand to me. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Anthony’s father,” He introduces himself in a smooth Italian accent. “This is my wife, Dominique.”

A lovely woman steps forward and kisses both of my cheeks. “Welcome to Vicenza.” When she pulls back, I get a better look at her beautiful face. She has faint smile lines indicating she’s around the same age as her husband, but her dark hair tumbles around her slim shoulders in a cascade of shiny curls. Her dress is fitted to her figure and the champagne color of the silk brings out her olive complexion.

Bridget appears at my side. “Mr. Vergara, I meant to introduce you to Isabella, but your son beat me to it,” she says in a teasing tone.

Anthony and Hannah laugh, but Mr. Vergara looks slightly confused. “Wait,” he starts. “You’re the Isabella behind Isa’s Itinerary?”

I nod.

“But, how do you know my son and daughter-in-law?” he asks, huffing out a laugh.

Anthony interjects. “We had the pleasure of traveling with Isabella in Peru.”

“Ahhhh,” his father hums and smiles at him. “Well, it’s wonderful to finally meet you. Bridget has been singing your praises.”

Hannah pushes the two other young men forward. “Isabella, these are my brothers-in-law. Matteo,” She pats the slightly shorter one on the shoulder. “And Salvador.” She gestures to the taller one.

Matteo shakes my hand with a firm, business-like handshake, but Salvador bends and presses a kiss to my hand.

“Lovely to meet you. Save me a dance later?” he asks in a smooth Italian accent.

“Oh, ha. Sure,” I reply, feeling my face heat as he looks at me with those intense, dark eyes.

Hannah tugs me away from him. “Alright, us ladies need to go to the powder room.” She practically drags me across the terrace. I have no idea how she walks so fast in her form-hugging blue pantsuit and insanely tall, spikey heels.

Bridget gives me a concerned look, like she’s telling me to blink twice if I’m okay. I smile at her so she knows I’m not being dragged against my will. We head back through the large glass doors and across the white marble lobby. Hannah pushes me inside the women’s bathroom, checks all the stalls quickly before walking back over to the door and locking it.

“Oh my gosh, girl! What are you doing here?” Her perfect posture and graceful movements relax into the laid back girl I met in Peru. She kicks off her heels and slumps down onto the large pink ottoman at the center of the bathroom.

“Monaco Hotels is my newest sponsor. Bridget reached out to me after finding my website,” I tell her and then take a seat next to her. “It’s been a whirlwind, but now I’m able to travel and write full time.”

“Congratulations! That’s amazing! My in-laws seem a little stuffy, but they’re actually super nice. Oh, and don’t let Sal bug you, he’s just a harmless flirt.”