Anna glanced at Nicolas, her smile knowing.
He shifted slightly, clearing his throat, but said nothing.
His sister turned back to her, her tone friendly. “Come on, let me show you the garden. It’s where Nicolas used to hide when he didn’t want anyone to see him brooding.”
Emily wheezed.
Nicolas shot his sister a look. “Emily just got off an eight-hour flight. She needs a moment to rest and she still hasn’t unpacked,” Nicolas replied.
“She’ll beseatedin the garden. As for the unpacking, you can handle that. Isn’t that what husbands are for?”
His look darkened into a glare, but he didn’t deny it.
Emily stifled a giggle. She appreciated Anna’s warmth. The expectation was that his family was cold, distant. At least she’d proven her wrong and that calmed her nerves.
However, that feeling was short-lived.
A slow tap echoed from the hallway.
The sight of an older man with a cane came into view.
Nicolas’s father, Riccardo Re, entered the space with a gaze that made her uneasy. There was nothing in those eyes. Just a void so deep it made her forget how to breathe.
Emily’s mind flickered with memories: a hotel theatre, a closet, and a boy wiping away tears.
She couldn’t help the slight grudge she held against him.
“So this is the actress you’ve married,” Riccardo said, his voice causing Anna to stiffen.
Emily noted how Alessandra placed a hand on her shoulder. Anna leaned into her touch.
“Her name is Emily Pinault,” Nicolas spoke. Her eyes found him. He sounded so detached. Like he was mirroring the man before him. “I’m certain John told you as much.”
“Yes, he did, seeing as David refused to. Seems he’s forgotten who he should be answering to.” His hand tightened over the cane at the end.
“My personal assistant is called mine for a reason,” Nicolas said. “He doesn’t owe you any insights into my life. You agreed with the board about an impromptu marriage, so you shouldn’t care much about who it’s with.”
“Don’t be stupid,” he snapped. “What board, much less me, would not be concerned about who their CEO has married?” Nicolas became rigid. “Your little excuse of her contractual agreements as an actress has as much footing as running in sand. Speaking of which, on Monday a statement will be released regarding your marriage. Everyone needs more assurance. And the fact that I have to give it to them makes me greatly disappointed in you.
“They’ve been waiting on the public’s attention to this matter and you’ve been sitting on this news, Nicolas. Justsitting. This could’ve driven up our stocks months ago. Exactly what are you prioritizing here?”
Nicolas’s face reflected his anger before he buried it. “She can’t reveal she’s married to me.”
“Well, sheis,” Riccardo stressed. “And why the hell can’t she? Are you not husband material? You know what, keep the pity party to yourselves. It wasn’t like she was forced into this.” His hard gaze found Emily. “Were you?”
She shook her head. “No, but…”
“No buts,” he said with a clipped tone. His eyes swallowed Nicolas when they returned to him. “A statement goes out on Monday. The whole damn world will know you’re tied down and are a man of responsibility.”
Emily’s eyes caught Nicolas’s fist curling by his side. She thought he’d push back, not say what he did next.
“Okay, you can release your statement.”
What the hell?
He knew she still had Jake to deal with. She’d shared enough about her revenge plan without having to spell everything out loud.
Emily squirmed next to him, trying not to react, but she clearly already had.
