Secrets and Seduction Las Vegas (Sexy Italian Imports Book 1) Read Free

staff who makes our wonderful city of Las Vegas the greatest city in the USA.”
    “You are too kind, Mayor.”
    The mayor began introductions. “Valerie Kane, Psychologist to the Stars.” He alluded to her clientele of famous performers. “This is Sherry…” The mayor looked at Antonio, who smiled at the showgirl.
    Jeez, he didn’t even know his date’s last name?
    “Sherry McAvoy,” she said.
    Valerie stood and reached across the table to shake the girl’s hand. “Good to meet you.”
    The mayor continued, “This is Antonio Daniato, a.k.a. Grey Thornton, whose newest novel has been on the New York Times best-seller list for a month now.”
    Valerie immediately recognized his penname. “We’ve met before, unofficially. So, you’re Grey Thornton.” She held out her hand.
    He squeezed a little too hard, and his eyes narrowed.
    Was it a warning? She nodded slightly and pulled her hand from his. She wouldn’t expose him if he kept her secret.
    He looked as relieved as she felt. She didn’t want to make a scene in front of the mayor.
    “Good to see you, Ms. Kane.”
    The mayor piped up, “ Dr. Kane. Best psychologist in Las Vegas, in my wife’s opinion.”
    Everyone laughed at the mayor’s stab at humor, but Valerie barely heard the joke. Amazing. Grey Thornton. She lowered herself into her chair and watched as the mayor introduced Sherry and Antonio around the table.
    She’d read a few Grey Thornton novels. Their graphic, violent nature, the erotic sex-without-love scenes, and unhappy endings hadn’t made her a fan.
    Why would a writer, a popular writer, need to blackmail her cousin? It couldn’t be for the money, could it? Maybe they’d been involved romantically at some time in the past, and he wanted revenge. She’d ask her as soon as she could make a call.
    The mayor jokingly invited Antonio to join their meeting. “Subjects that might interest you, Daniato.” He looked at Valerie. “What is your agenda item today, Doctor?”
    She cleared her throat. “We’re discussing how runaway teens are affected by legal prostitution and nude dance clubs.”
    The mayor said, “Valerie’s our expert.”
    “Really?” Antonio looked at her, his face radiating anger. “She doesn’t look young enough to be a runaway. In which area does your experience lie, Doctor?”
    Her eyes popped wide open, and her face heated instantly. Did he just ask her if she was a prostitute or a nude dancer? What happened to their unspoken truce? What had she said to make him angry?
    Everyone at the table looked at her then looked at Antonio. The silence was deafening. Then the mayor cleared his throat. Oh, crap. She needed to diffuse the situation quickly.
    She forced a laugh. “I realize you’re teasing, Mr. Daniato, but you’d better watch your step. In this town, you never know who has Mafia connections…oh.” She smiled at the mayor. “Sorry, sir.”
    The group laughed, but Sherry looked confused, and the mayor leaned closer to her. “During my last run for reelection, rumors were spread about my connection to the mafia.”
    One of the committee members added, “Rumored, but never proven in court.”
    The mayor shrugged, grinning slyly. “No comment.”
    As she looked into Antonio’s eyes, Valerie’s forced smile slipped. She couldn’t read the meaning in his intense stare, but she couldn’t look away—and neither did he.
    His date broke the spell by sliding her hand into his and rubbing the side of her breast on his arm. “We should get going, Antonio.”
    He shook the mayor’s hand and nodded to the committee in general. With one last glance at Valerie, he escorted Sherry from the restaurant.
    She watched them leave, feeling the aftermath of his gaze. He was angry. He knew her name. And he was obviously volatile. Damn, this wasn’t turning out to be a very good day. She blinked and brought herself back to what the mayor was saying.
    “That was interesting,” he commented to no one in particular.
    She