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The last thing I want is for her to hear this from anyone but me, and I say in a guilty whisper, “I haven’t been completely honest with you.”
Her eyes widen as I say roughly, “There is a current disagreement with your brother.”
“Troy!”
She looks shocked and I nod. “Apparently, it concerns business and should be resolved in a few days, but understand I have your back. I’ll return for you even if your brother doesn’t. You are not on your own.”
“A disagreement?” She is obviously worried, and I try to inject some warmth into my smile.
“Nothing to worry about. A coincidence, really. Don Vieri informed me of it and assured me it would blow over in a few days. Just enjoy the rest and I’ll return for you. I promise you that, Melissa. I have your best interests at heart.”
I sigh heavily and step away, flicking her a sad smile as I nod toward the terrace.
“Say my goodbyes for me. The boat is about to leave.”
“Where are you going?” It’s an innocent enough question that deserves an honest answer, but I’m not an honest man, so I say over my shoulder.
“To hell and back.”
As I walk away from her, it’s as if my legs are filled with lead weights. This doesn’t feel right. None of it does. I’m not used to playing with women’s emotions. I told her I loved her, for Christ’s sake. I gave her hope when there isn’t any.
Love. What does that word mean, anyway? It means pain, anger, and despair. Like any hard drug, the effects are outweighed by the massive low when you come off it. To love someone is to sentence yourself to a life in purgatory, and yet when I told Melissa I loved her, it was a different love I had in mind. The love of a good friend, perhaps. A brother for a sister. Platonic love.
Maybe a different kind of love could have been ours if I hadn’t already lost my heart to another. A woman I may never see again but will spend my entire life searching for. That is love for me. An impossible dream with no reassurance at the end.
Will I die holding this love like a burning ball and chain in my hand? Will I ever truly experience the effects of its power? That is what I live with every day of my life because love to me is a life sentence with no hope of parole. I am imprisoned by love, and only one woman has ever held the key to my heart.
Now, I must hope Don Vieri knows his stuff and I will end this misery once and for all.
CHAPTER 26
MELISSA
Serena shows me to a pretty room overlooking the ocean and it will be no hardship staying here while I wait for Apollo’s return.
She sits on the bed as I gaze around me with impressed awe and I say, “I love it. You are so lucky to live here.”
“I don’t.” She shakes her head. “I live in Chicago most of the time. But currently I’m traveling.”
“So, you stopped by on your way.” I’m curious and she sighs. “I came because my grandfather has business with Alexei.”
“Your boyfriend.”
She nods, a soft smile on her face. “Yes. He was called home though, and it was decided I would wait for him here.”
“Then we are in the same situation.”
She nods. “It appears that we are. Two girls waiting for their men to show up and put them out of their misery.”
“You don’t look miserable.”
It makes her laugh.
“I’m not. Spending time on Serenita with my grandparents is always a pleasure. With my brothers, not so much.”
The mischievous twinkle in her eye tells me she doesn’t mean that, and I say with interest, “What are they like?”
“You’ll see for yourself at dinner.” She pulls a face. “Don’t be intimidated by them, though. They must be a certain way because of their position in the family business.”
