She’s right, of course. With time, I would have found a way out, but when he presented Chiara as an option, there was no way I could say no. But I’m not about to admit that.
“Don’t you think I tried?” Her sneer tells me that no, she doesn’t believe I tried to fix it. How have we ended up here? Itfeels like there’s an ever-widening chasm between us, one that’s never been there before.
Fina and I have always been close. Our dysfunctional childhood meant we had no choice but to lean on each other when things got bad. And as the eldest, it was my job to protect her from the worst of my father’s excesses.
She must read something on my face because she sighs. “I get it, Angelo, I really do. Dad can be persuasive. But even though I adore Chiara - hell, she’s the sister I always wanted - I don’t love seeing how trapped she feels. You know that expression? The one that says when you love something, set it free, and if it loves you back, it will return? Or something like that. You should try it.”
“I don’t love her,” I scoff loudly. “And as you know, she hates me, so I’d have to spend another year tracking her down,at great expense,while enduring our father’s endless bullshit.”
“Maybe she has good reason to hate you, but I doubt she’d leave, not when she’s in love with Luka.” She smirks. “And also pretty hot for Kane, too.”
I don’t like the direction this conversation has taken. Yes, I’m well aware Luka and Chiara have grown close, but love? No, I refuse to accept they’re in love. And as for Kane, he’s an asshole. He’s relying on a conversation we hadwhile we were drunkto muscle in on my wife.
It’s unforgivable, honestly, and if he weren’t my best friend, and one of the few people I trust with my life, I’d shoot the bastard.
“She’s lucky I haven’t thrown Luka out,” I seethe.
Fina sighs. “You won’t do that. Luka is vulnerable. He needs his family around him.”
She makes a point. While he seems to have recovered from his experience, I’m not stupid. It wouldn’t take much to tip him overthe edge again. My half brother has many issues, most of which our father is to blame for.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out. Fina turns away from me and closes her eyes, letting me know without words that our conversation is over. It hurts that she won’t confide in me, but I’ll give her a few more days.
“Yes?” It’s our father. I step out of Fina’s room and close the door. Matteo hovers but I stride away without acknowledging him. No doubt he’ll go to Fina the moment my back’s turned. If I had any sense, I’d send him away before he gets himself killed, but I’m too soft.
Fina needs him right now.
“Where is she?” my father barks. I assume he means Fina, unless Francesca has cleared off. No chance of that happening, sadly.
“She’s here. Why?” Felix appears from a side room and meows at me. He’s after treats again.
“The damn girl treats my house like a fucking hotel,” Dad grumbles. I almost laugh before clamping my lips together. He doesn’t care about Fina, so the fact he’s worrying now means he’s concerned she might run like Chiara did.
“Was that all?” I should have been in the office today, but with Fina collapsing last night, I told Cecelia to clear my diary. I’ll work from here and go in tomorrow.
“She needs to get her ass into the office. Francesca has questions.”
“Oh? Is she struggling to work out how to use the photocopier?”
“Just tell her,” he snarls before ending the call.
31
Chiara
Angelo’s mansion is big, but it never feels that way. While there are plenty of rooms, most are in use, and the living areas are comfortable. As I stare up at the monstrosity that is Lorenzo Di Rossi’s palatial home, I decide he must be overcompensating for something.
It’s as if an architect saw a photo of a Venetian palace and told ChatGPT to produce something similar. The house is at least four stories, crafted from cream stone, and surrounded by towering cypress trees. Beautiful but cold.
Lights sparkle in the trees, and if I inhale deeply, I can smell the lemons in the nearby lemon grove.
From the array of expensive cars lined up along the sweeping driveway, several of the guests have already arrived.
“Try to steer clear of my father,” Angelo warns from the front passenger seat, oblivious to my internal negative review of his childhood home. “I’m sure he’ll be too busy playing the role of bountiful host, but it’s always better to avoid him when he’s had a few drinks.”
I don’t bother asking why. Having had the displeasure of Lorenzo’s company a while back, when Angelo dragged me to the opening night of a new casino hotel, I recall all too well his creepy stares. The thought of being stuck with him in a dark corner makes me want to stab myself in the eye.
“I plan to stay glued to your side, darling.” I smirk before winking at Kane. My blood heats at the memory of Kane fucking me at the charity gala. As Angelo opens my door and helps me out, playing the role of a solicitous husband, I wonder if we’ll get the chance to repeat the experience.
