‘You want to know me?’ Leo strolled forward with the swagger he’d used in the old days when he was full of bravado and out to extort money from some small business owner. Not surprising how it came back so easily, like another part of him. An evil twin. Two sides to one coin. ‘Then you need to know about Rome.’
Her eyes widened and she chewed on her bottom lip like she was afraid of what he might say. Good. Leo knew she’d wanted to come with him to that cursed city and he’d refused. He hadn’t wanted her tainted by what he’d done, or finding out because he’d feared what she might think of him. Now, he wanted her to think the worst because in the end, that’s all that would save her from him.
‘I want to knowyou.’
He held out his arms, ‘Well, here I amcara, ready to tell it all. I told you I’d left home when I was barely seventeen, travelling to make my fortune. Tired of my mother and my life. Nothing was enough. I wantedmore.’
His mother had cried when he’d left but in his bravado he hadn’t really cared. He’d promised to send back money. But there wasn’t much he could do as a teenager with no skills or education past high school. He’d been impoverished and homeless when the gang had found him and made him feel as though, finally, he had some worth.
‘I was cold and hungry, on the streets. Too proud to return to Milan. But I found an underbelly and embraced it. A gang, who needed the type of services I could provide because I was tall and strong. But I could also be very convincing, so they hired me for a very specific task.’
Whilst he didn’t want to look at Simone, to see her disgust, he couldn’t help himself. Yet all he saw was her eyes filled with tears. A look of sympathy. It was wholly undeserved.
‘Who you see here is a man who was happy to stand over people for money. Extorting small business owners. Feared on the streets, not caring who I ruined. I even had a nickname. One I was proud of. The Handsome Viper.’
In truth, he’d loathed the title but he’d owned it at the time because he was playing a part and instilling fear got the job done, without blood being spilled. If everyone thought him beautiful but deadly, then all the better for them. It was survival in a vicious world. He’d played a role and played it well. Just like he had when modelling. Just like he was doing now.
‘I don’t believe you.’
As much as Leo didn’t want to, here he knew he needed to sink the knife deep.
‘Then you’re fooling yourself. I’m still the Handsome Viper if I want to be. I used people for my own ends, because it suited me. Just like I used you, although I admit you were paid handsomely for it. That’s certainly new for me, paying money instead of taking it. Now the Tessitore deal’s done, there’s no need for this charade to continue any longer.’
The tears in Simone’s eyes spilled over onto her cheeks. ‘Don’t do this to us.’
‘There is no ‘us’, there never was. One day you’ll see that I…how did you put it…dazzledyou, just like you accused me of doing to other staff.’
She shook her head, her spine stiffening. ‘No, you never fooled me. I walked into this marriage with my eyes open. I won’t have you treating me like some innocent with no clue.’
‘For someone who claims they weren’t fooled, you’re certainly acting like one, so let me be clear. By the time I get back from Rome, I want you gone. You can be out of Milan and in the US in a matter of hours. I’m sure you’d like to see your sister again.’
‘So, I’m being dismissed.’
He shrugged, taking his fill of her because he knew she was about to leave. Simone’s eyes were as cold and hard as flint. She’d told him she understood her worth and she wasn’t going to take this lying down.
‘I don’t much care. There’ll be a role in the company if you want it. If you choose to resign, you’ll receive excellent references. You were, after all, an exceptional and most attentive executive assistant. I couldn’t ask for better.’
‘Thank you for making things so crystal clear. But I refuse to stay where I’m not wanted.’
She turned and strode to the door, placed her hand on the handle. Hesitated. He knew he needed to make sure she walked away with no shred of hope or love left in her.
‘Oh, Simone.’ He’d pitched his voice softer, ready for the final strike. She whipped round, eyes a little wide. Still looking for the best in him.
‘Yes, Leo.’
‘I’d like your resignation in writing, to make sure it’s official. Don’t forget the NDA. Or the restraint of trade that prohibits you from ever working for Rocco Silvestri. I’ll enforce both to the full extent of my abilities should you choose to breach either.’
She reared back like she’d taken a direct hit. He knew they were the words that ended any chance of reconciliation. Exactly what he wanted.
‘Don’t worry, Mr Zanetti. I wouldn’t want to experience any more of your venom.’
No matter how much of what he’d said had cut him to the marrow, it was for the best. He hoped she now hated him as much as he hated himself. It was better for her in every way.
Far better than loving him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Leo sat inthe bar, a bustling place, but not one of the popular tourist traps. It was a hole in the wall, frequented by locals or those in the know. He couldn’t be alone, yet he didn’t want to speak to anybody. Here, in the noise, surrounded by people, he could lose himself.
