Chapter 45

The chatterers weren't stopping, even though most were jotting notes on their pads, but it seemed they still had many other questions to ask. And the good Don was all ready to answer whatever it was.

She held his arms, whispering, trying to hold back tears, "Maestro, no, please."

He turned to look at her, his palms on the side of her head. "I hope you had a nice time with Abby, Maya.."

Shaking her head, her voice laden with weight, she whispered, "It's not what you think."

Facing the press with a lingering grin, he strolled away, subtly pulling her along—enough to conceal his anger from the public eye but sufficient for her to sense his fury.

She hurried to keep pace with him, but the heels weren't helping much.

"Smile!" He ordered

And she did just that, except it was so raggedy that she, too, didn't trust how her face looked.

"Maestro, listen to me; it's not what you think; I swear, I was set up."

"I noticed. Those boxes look like your