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Igo through the motions for the next few days as Alessio helps me put my plan in place.
Gia, thankfully, is too wrapped up in herself to notice that anything is wrong. But once or twice,I’ve caught Vigo watching me while I pretend to be oblivious.
“Are you even listening to me?”
I look up at the sharp tone in Gia’s voice. “Sorry, I was going over security details in my head for tomorrow.”
“It’s a fucking charity luncheon, Nova. How hard is it to post guards at the doors?” she scoffs before pouring herself a glass of wine.
I raise a brow but say nothing. Anything I’d say would just go in one ear and out the other.
The sound of footsteps heading our way stops whatever tirade she might be working herself up to. When Vigo steps into the kitchen,I tense, waiting to see if he’ll say anything. He barely looks at me before turning to Gia. “I realize it’sshort notice,but it turns out I will be able to attend your event tomorrow.”
Gia smiles widely, and something about it makes me want to puke. Gia might be a shitty human, but she loves Vigo.
“A daddy-daughter date? Sounds perfect.”
Vigo coughs,looking uncomfortable for a moment before he nods. “I’m looking forward to it,Gia.” He looks at me and dips his head. “Nova.”
Once he leaves, Gia sighs and sits down.
“You okay?”
For a second,I see a flash of vulnerability in her expression before she rolls her eyes and grabs her glass. Tipping her head back, she downs the contents before getting to her feet. “I’m going to lie down.”
She walks off, and I let her, sensing she needs a moment to herself. I place her glass in the sink before heading toward the den to see if anyone else is around. I hear Vigo call me as I pass his office.
I hesitate for a second before turning back. “Sir?”
He gestures for me to enter and close the door. “How are you?”
I blink, surprised at his question, unsure if he genuinely cares or if he’s just making conversation. “I’m fine, sir. Thank you.”
“When we are alone, I expect you to call me Father.”
Father. Not Dad or Daddy. I’m loath to call him anything besidesdickright now. I was never allowed to call Alessio “Dad” in public. I never understood why until the sordid truth about my parentage came out. It’s just one more thing Vigo stole from me.
“Until it’s common knowledge, with respect, I’ll continue to call you sir so that I don’t slip up and make a mistake. I’d hate toblow the secret you’ve kept for twenty years.” I can’t help the slight hint of sarcasm.
His jaw ticks as he stands and moves over to the sideboard to pour himself a glass of whiskey. “Have you told Alessio about the wedding?”
“No. Why would I? We don’t have that kind of relationship,” I answer, keeping my voice neutral.
“Good. That’s good. I’ve been thinking about what you said about keeping quiet until the day of the wedding. Though I don’t like it, I can see it’s the smartest plan. Like you said, there is too much at stake to throw it all away now.”
My tense shoulders loosen a fraction.
“That said, a wedding still needs to be planned.”
I swallow down the urge to vomit, praying he doesn’t tell me he’s told Aldo. My whole plan rests on him not knowing until it’s too late for him to do anything about it.
“I’ve informed Aldo...” I almost hang my head in defeat as my brain scrambles to devise a new plan. I’m so caught up in my thoughts that I almost miss the rest of his sentence. “…that he’ll be marrying my daughter in one month’s time. For now, he assumes that’s Gia. But Aldo is loyal to me. The quick change of brides will be of no consequence to him.”
I squeeze my hands into fists at his sheer callousness.
“Unfortunately, for this to work, Gia will need to be told she is set to wed. She will then be able to plan the wedding so that when the day arrives, all you have to do is step into her shoes. Thankfully, you’re both the same size, so things like the wedding dress fitting shouldn’t be an issue. I’ll make sure she gives you your mother’s pearls to wear.”
I blink at the audacity of the man. “You want Gia to plan herown wedding without realizing she’s going to be traded out at the last minute?”
