And he could not think of a single positive thing that could come from this. She would betray him, and he would be a fool. He would fail her, and she would be destroyed.
He would drive her from that dinner table in tears someday, like his father had done to his mother.
She would send him away someday, like his mother had done to him.
She would see him for what he really was, because it was certainly not worthy ofher, whatever he was, whoever he was.
It wasn’t good enough forthis.
Besides, there were no forevers in this world, and he would rather ensurenowthat he did not believe in any, rather than make this worse.
For the both of them.
Still, he managed to respond. “Yes, we are getting married tomorrow,” he said hoarsely. “Perhaps I will stay at the club tonight. Is it not bad luck to spend the night together before a wedding?”
She was very still and quiet for a long few moments. Her eyes were steady on his but he saw…too many things in their dark depths. “I suppose I’ve heard that. Then I will just…see you at the wedding tomorrow? Our wedding.”
He didn’t miss the way she clarified that, the way she watched him, as if she could see inside his tangled brain and make sense of what he couldn’t.
It made him desperate to run, but he didn’t. Because she did not call him on it. If he was a coward, so was she.
Still, he answered her. “Yes.”
Then he walked away.Walked. Purposefully, and perhaps with some speed, but it was not a run. He did not run away.
When it’s important, you do.
He shoved that thought away, the disturbing fact it sounded like Serena’s voice in his head. An accusation that buried deep and sharp but proved to him he was doing this right.
I will save you.
He called his lawyer on the way. He arrived at his club, but ignored all greetings and went straight to his office. When his lawyer arrived, he said it plain. “I would like to change our arrangement.”
“I knew the marriage part of this was ridiculous,” the man muttered unwisely. “I can meet with the Valli lawyers tomorrow and—”
“No. I want everything signed over to Serena Valli now. No marriage necessary.”
“Mr. Ascione, you can’t just…”
“I can. I will. Whatever it costs, it must be done by tomorrow.”
“Mr. Ascione…”
“Is there a problem? Should I call someone else who can handle the task?” he demanded.
The lawyer shook his head, began to back out of the room. “O-of course not. You will need Ms. Valli to sign off on it as well.”
“She will.”
The lawyer swallowed and nodded. “All right. It shouldn’t require overmuch. Would you like me to deliver the papers to her when they are done?”
It was tempting. So damn tempting. She could sign the papers with this man, and no doubt her team of lawyers, and he would not need to be involved. He would never have to see her again. He would not have to deal with the fallout.
He could fly off to London tomorrow. Tokyo. New York. Anywhere but in the same country asher.
But he was too much of a businessman to think that would work. To end this, to truly stop what had spiraled out of control, he could not let someone else do his dirty work.
“No. I will deliver them.”
