Page 150 of In Love and Revenge

‘It happened, didn’t it?’ he replies in mock innocence. ‘Just stating facts. Sorry if my son neglected to tell you about that little piece of history,’ he directs to Aurora.

My chest expands as I draw in a deep breath, ready to tell him to leave her the hell out of it.

‘Rafe told me about that day,’ Aurora says, lifting her chin with confidence.

My father chuckles. ‘Did he? Even the part about screwing Wyndham’s wife on his desk?’

‘Stan, really?’ my mother warns.

My father shrugs and I tighten my grip on Aurora’s thigh as rage bubbles in my veins. Aurora places her hand over mine, bringing an instant layer of calm to my stampeding pulse.

‘That part too,’ she replies, a picture of composure as she faces my father.

If I didn’t love her already, then seeing her hold her own so eloquently would do it.

‘We tell each other everything,’ she adds, giving my hand on her thigh a squeeze.

My gulp’s so thick I’m surprised it doesn’t shake every glass on the table.

Everything.

Once we make it through this dinner and I have a much-needed conversation with her, then it will be everything. But right now, that one last secret is sitting low in my gut, weighing it down like a boulder.

‘Lovebirds. Isn’t it sweet?’ Angelo grins, his cheeks rosy from all the wine.

My father leans back in his chair and regards Aurora with a new-found interest. ‘So you know my son well, then? You know all his secrets?’

My spine straightens as Aurora flicks a worried gaze my way. There’s no way my father knows about my anxiety episode that led to the events that lost the contract. I’ve never told a soul, except Aurora and ... Dominic.

‘Son of a bitch,’ I hiss under my breath.

‘He told me, and I understand,’ Aurora says. ‘In fact, I think he’s amazing.’ She glances at me again, her eyes glowing with love.

My father leans his forearms on the table, his eyes pinned on Aurora. ‘He is ...was. He was top of his field. It’s why he always got called on. But I didn’t expect it to happen now he’s no longer specialising any more.’

Aurora frowns, confusion knitting her brow. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what you mean. I was talking about ...’ She trails off, understanding we’re no longer talking aboutthatsecret.

Every cell in my body wishes we were. Because there’s only one other secret. And that one has the power to destroy everything. Especially if Aurora hears it from someone else first.

Ice threads its way through my veins. How the hell did my father find out?

Placing my napkin on my plate, I look at my mother. ‘My apologies, Mum. Aurora and I need to leave.’

‘But you haven’t had dessert,’ Mum says, flustered.

‘Escape the clutches of the dysfunctional Fairfaxes while you can, Aurora.’ Angelo sniggers into his glass.

‘Shut up,’ Dove hisses at him.

Gabriel catches my eye with a questioning look. I subtly shake my head. I’m fine. Or at least, I will be as soon as I get Aurora out of here and have this conversation with her in private.

But my father seems determined to continue, his brow furrowed as he studies Aurora.

‘Your father’s trial,’ he says, gauging her reaction. ‘Rafael was always the first expert witness they called on those financial fraud cases. I didn’t think you did them any more, son?’

Aurora’s hand stills on top of mine, her gentle, soothing strokes ending abruptly. ‘What?’ She lets out a small, disbelieving laugh. ‘What does he mean?’ she asks, widened eyes rounding on me.

I stare into her aquamarine irises. ‘Beauty,’ I whisper. ‘Let’s go home. We can talk there.’