"Who else would it be for?"
Another pause, longer this time. "Boss, are you sure about this? I mean, the arrangement was temporary. Using her to avoid Caterina. This seems?—"
"I don't pay you to question my decisions." My voice comes out sharper than I mean it to. "I pay you to follow orders. So unless you want to explain to me why you think you know better?—"
"No, sir. I'll handle it."
"Good. And Marco?" I unlock my car, slide into the driver's seat. "Put a tracking device inside. Small. Undetectable. Something that'll last."
"A tracker. In the engagement ring."
"Problem?"
"No, sir. Just... making sure I understand."
"You understand fine. I want it done by tomorrow."
"Understood."
I hang up, start the engine. My hands are steadier now. Purpose always steadies me.
The Bellandi gala is in five days. Caterina's family is hosting, which means she'll be there looking perfect. Expecting me to come crawling back after our conversation at Dad's party. Expecting me to admit she was right.
Instead, I'm going to walk in with Bianca on my arm and a ring on her finger.
I'm going to make it official. Public. Permanent.
Not because the arrangement requires it. Not because I need to maintain appearances.
Because Giulio said she's not worthy, and something in me decided right then that I'd prove him wrong. That I'd take this woman he dismisses so casually and make her untouchable.
That I'd give her my name, my protection, my ring.
Mine.
The tracker is just... insurance. In case things go sideways. In case she runs. In case the secrets she's obviously hiding come back to bite us both.
I need to know where she is. Always.
For her safety.
I pull through the gates of my estate, park in front of the house. Through the windows, I can see Maria moving around in the kitchen. Normal. Routine. Like my entire world didn't shift on its axis last night in that pool.
Like I didn't just decide to marry a woman for real instead of pretending.
The scary part isn't the decision itself.
It's how right it feels.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Dante
The Bellandi estate makes my father's place look like a cottage.
Marble everywhere. Gold leaf on the ceilings. Crystal chandeliers that probably cost more than most people's houses. It's obscene. Excessive. Exactly the kind of display that screamswe have money and we need you to know it.
I hate it.
