His eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed. “That’s it?”
I jerked a nod. “That’s it. You should head back in. Rhett will have a window of creativity while he’s stoned that you all could utilize in the music.”
Gray squinted at me a moment longer, then gave a small nod and walked away.
That was it. Just… took my word and walked away.
I’d thought my heart was done breaking, that there was nothing left to hurt. I was wrong.
fifteen
BILLIE
The urge to get on a horse and just ride off into the sunset was almost overpowering. Freedom was right there, within reach. No more Riccis, no more mafia threats, no more Bellerose… I could just disappear and reinvent myself. I still had a trust account holding a suspiciously large amount of money left by my parents. I’d never touched it before, almost certain that it’d been gained illegally and could be part of the reason someone had tried to burn us alive. But fuck, maybe it was better than getting other people killed as they attempted to help me. Even if it was stolen.
I couldn’t make myself leave, though. For one thing, I couldn’t leave Angelo to suffer his father’s wrath in my absence. No matter how proud Giovanni was of his son, he would still make him hurt. And then there was Bellerose. Rhett, Gray… even Jace. They might hate me now, but a tiny part of me held out hope that we could move past that and get back to how things were.
Also, I had never ridden a horse in my life and wasn’t about to learn on the run.
So eventually I had to force myself to go back to the house. I dragged my feet, but my stomach was growling with the need for food, so I had to suck up my courage.
Thankfully, it seemed like all members of Bellerose were in the basement recording studio, so I was free to make myself a sandwich in peace and quiet. The floor creaked as I was cutting my sandwich into triangles, and I gasped when a strong, tattooed hand gripped my hip.
“I was looking for you,” Angelo commented, his other hand wrapping around my wrist like he was scared I might try to stab him with the knife I held. “What were you chatting about out there? You didn’t go sharing our private business, did you, Bella?”
The dangerous vibe in his voice made me shiver with fear. He was speaking quietly, his lips against my hair as he held me tight. To an observer we might look like a loving couple sharing a moment. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I was so focused on the hidden surveillance that I’d forgotten Angelo was not my friend.
“Of course not,” I whispered trying to slow my racing pulse. “I’m not stupid.”
“No, you’re not.” His grip on my wrist tightened to the point of painful, and I gasped, dropping the knife. “But you are a hopeless romantic, Bella. We both know this. So sue me for being suspicious.”
I whimpered at the pain in my wrist. “Angel, you’re hurting me.”
He sucked a sharp breath, releasing me instantly. Had he not even realized?
“Just don’t forget how much we both have at stake here, Bella,” he whispered, taking a step back. “The pain you went through will feel like a tickle fight if my father finds out we fabricated that paternity test.”
I swallowed hard, tears pricking at my eyes. “I won’t forget.” After all, my body bore multiple permanent scars from the torture I’d suffered after being taken from the concert.
Angelo breathed a long sigh. I still had my back to him, so I couldn’t see his expression and wasn’t sure I would like what I saw there.
“How’s Vee?” I asked, for some reasonneedingto get a human reaction out of him. “Does she know where we are?”
He paused only a moment before replying. “Of course she does,” he said in a cold tone. “She’s my wife, and nothing will change that. You’re just my mistress and the mother of my heir. Nothing more.”
His voice was hard and clear. I liked to think it was for the benefit of our observers, but… I wasn’t sure.
He walked away then, leaving me alone with my sandwich, which I no longer had any appetite for.
Except I wasn’t alone. Someone stepped out of the shadows of the door leading to the basement, and I nearly jumped out of my skin with fright.
“Jace,” I breathed, pressing a hand to my chest. “Holy shit, you scared me.”
“Is that true?” he demanded, moving closer. I spun to face him properly, not wanting him at my back like Angelo had just been. Stupid me, that put us face to face when he braced his hands on the counter to either side of my hips. “I heard what he just said to you, Billie. Is that—”
“Shh,” I hushed him, pressing my fingers to his lips to physically stop the question. Angelo had kept his voice low; Jace wasn’t even trying. His brow furrowed in confusion, but I locked eyes with him, imploring him to justtrust meas I gave a tiny headshake. “Please, Jace… you didn’t hear what you think you heard.”
He squinted hard as I dropped my hand away from his soft mouth. “I see.”
