"A Clause?" Eliza repeated the word faintly, and Romano cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"Your father—"

The waiter swooped in with great flair and began to offload a tray of food onto their table. 

Romano muffled a curse under his breath while he waited with barely concealed impatience for the young man to finish.

"Will there be anything else?"

"No!" Romano barked, keeping his voice low and menacing. The poor man gulped and beat a hasty retreat.

Eliza barely registered the interaction ...