"What does it look like? I’m leaving," he spat.
"Des, don't do this. You asked me not to tell you about your father's affairs."
"I get that, alright. But you go on about trust and being upfront with each other. The least you could have done was warn me. Do you know the doctor who assisted me with Emilia's birth is that woman's son? If I’d known who he was that night, I would have kicked his ass for breaking up my family."
"No, I didn't," Othello mumbled. "You're right, I should have warned you about your father's infidelity."
Des nodded, understanding where Othello was coming from, but his anger didn’t diminish. He had asked not to be toldabout his father's dealings, but that was when he thought it was only business. Who knew his father was a philanderer? He felt betrayed by Othello, who knew for a while that his father was cheating on his mother.
"I have to go," he said, not looking at Othello as he walked to the door.
"Wait," Othello said, stopping and meeting him at the door, handing him a thumb drive.
"What's this?"
"Everything I’ve got on your father," he said.
"Thanks," he said, taking it, then walked out of the door, wondering if he had done the right thing by not smoothing things out with Othello.
Once I calm down, I'll talk to him.
Des didn't waste time and went to the cafe where he'd meet Erin. He'd just gotten to the cafe and was about to open the door when an annoying voice whispered in his ear.
"Des, I was hoping to bump into you," Cassio Ricci said.
How the fuck does he always show up where I am? I really need to find out if he has a bug on me or something.
Des turned to face the man and crossed his arms over his chest. "Why? I told you the painting will take some time to complete."
"You seem angry. What happened?" Ricci asked in a calm tone.
"It's none of your fucking business," Des snapped.
"Did you have a fight with yourboyfriend?"
"Cut the shit, you know I'm with Othello."
"What did he do to piss you off?"
"Why do you care if Othello made me angry? Our relationship has nothing to do with you."
Cassio Ricci cupped Des's cheek. "Don't be like that. I thought we were becoming friends."
Des smacked his hand away. "Don't fucking touch me," he growled, stepping closer to Ricci and staring the man square in his eyes. "I'm not Phillip. So don't hold your breath waiting for me to spread my legs for you. I belong to one man, and that's Othello Romano-Moor."
"So he told you about Phillip?"
"Yes," Des said, stepping back, putting much-needed distance between them. "And since I know what you did, I no longer want to work with you. I will send you your deposit back with interest and give you the unfinished painting to do whatever the fuck you want with it."
"So he tells you one little story, and you believe him? How easily he fools you into thinking he's some good guy," Ricci snarled. "If I told you who he really is, you'd leave him in a heartbeat."
"And what?" Des cocked his head to the side, studying Ricci. "Run into your arms like a damsel in distress? Is that how you seduced his last lover? Look, I don't give a fuck what he has to do for the family; at least I know he'll protect everyone he loves. Now, get the fuck away from me."
Ricci didn't move but smiled as if Des had said something funny. "You really are a gem, Desmond Ellington. I can see why Moor is drawn to you." Before Des could fathom what was happening,Ricci grabbed him by the back of his neck and brought his lips down on his.
Des's eyes widened in realization. He pressed against Ricci’s chest pushing him away as he struggled for breath. Opening his mouth, he bit down on Ricci's lip, drawing blood, and pushed him away.
"You asshole," he spat, dragging the back of his hand across his mouth.
