"Let me introduce myself," she said sweetly, her voice smooth like syrup. "I'm Salvatore's girlfriend. Adriana Caruso."
I didn't respond.
She leaned in even closer to him, her arm grazing his as if it was completely natural, then glanced sideways at me with a subtle, almost playful look.
"Salvatore," she said lightly, "aren't you going to introduce her? She's…"
Salvatore's expression stiffened instantly.
It was clear he hadn't expected this.
His eyes flickered toward me, a brief flash of unease, almost panic, before he forced himself to stay composed. The lighter went still in his hand.
For a second, I almost laughed.
"Elena Vitale," I said before he could speak, my tone calm and even. "I work at Mr. Bellomo's front office. The restaurant was full, so we're just sharing a table."
His head snapped toward me.
That flicker of panic disappeared just as quickly as it came, replaced by visible relief. He let out a breath, then nodded quickly. The lighter resumed its slow rotation.
"Yeah, that's right," he said. "This is Elena. One of my associates."
Adriana smiled slowly.
The kind of smile a cat gives when it already has its prey pinned beneath its paw.