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“I am loyal to your son.”
“Oh? Then have you told him you almost killed me on the street, while he was standing a few meters away?” When I remained silent, he asked, “Have you at least told him who hired you to kill him?”
“No, but he knows the hit was canceled.”
“Canceled, because you canceled it? Or because whoever hired you no longer wished for my son to be murdered?”
I answered in my own way. “I didn’t want to kill him, and then it was no longer required.”
His palm slapped the desk, the loud crack echoing like a gunshot. “I’ve granted you entrance into my home with my wife and children. And in return I receive nothing but lies and evasions.”
“Mi dispiace, Don Ravazzani, but I can’t tell you anything about my clients. My life depends on my discretion.”
“Right now your life depends on me.”
The threat was clear in every syllable. I didn’t know what to do or say to change his mind. I had dreaded this information getting out.
Ravazzani gestured to Marco. “Get him in here.”
My insides clenched, dread sitting like a stone in my chest. I would like to hope that Giulio would understand, that he would be forgiving of my past. But I was a realist. I dealt in cold practicalities, not rainbows and wishes. This would destroy whatever Giulio and I had together.
While Marco texted Giulio, I kept my attention on Ravazzani. “This will only hurt your son. I love him. We’re happy together. I will pledge myself to him until my dying breath.”
Fausto’s chest expanded, his expression darkening. “I have no intention of keeping secrets from my son. He deserves to know what kind of man you are. Then we will decide your fate together.”
With those ominous words hanging in the air, we fell silent. There was nothing to do now but wait.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Giulio
My father’s wife—and my close friend—glared at me. We were still outside, standing on the patio. “Seriously, what the fuck, G?”
I put my palms up. “I had a very good reason why I couldn’t call you.”
She moved in closer. “You called Zia,” she hissed quietly. “He doesn’t know, but she told me. She didn’t want me to worry because of the baby.”
Damn it. I wished Zia hadn’t told Frankie about that phone call. “I didn’t want to put you in that position. He is your husband and I didn’t want him to know where I was.”
“And now you have a boyfriend?”
I dragged a hair through my hair. “Come, walk with me and I’ll explain all of it. I’ve missed you.”
She gave me a small smile. “I’ve missed you, too.” Then she was hugging me, her arms tight around my waist. I held her for a long moment, so damn happy to see her again.
“I thought you were dead.” She spoke into my chest. “After you hung up with me in Santorini, Fausto couldn’t find you. Jesus, Giulio. I was out of my mind with worry.”
“I’m sorry. Really, Frankie. I never wanted to hurt you.”
She let me go, but wrapped our arms together. “Come on. Let’s check on Rafe before he drives Bruno insane.”
We began walking toward the stables. Her blond hair was pulled up into a messy bun on the top of her head and she wore no makeup. Even like this, she was a bombshell. No wonder my father lost his mind when he met her. “You look good,” I said. “This pregnancy agrees with you.”
“Thank you. I’m so tired all the time with this one. It must be another boy.”
“What does Zia say?”
“Twins.” I let out a bark of laughter, and she elbowed me in the ribs. “Stop laughing, stronzo. I cannot handle twin babies. Like, I will legit lose it.”
