Even though he was right—this was just a ruse—his words and their calm delivery cut her to the quick.
“I know how important this marriage is to Valentino,” she said, a little uneasily. “But one thing has nothing to do with the other. Luca and I would have married regardless.” She was glad to be able to throw that at him, and even more so because it was the truth. As far as she could remember, their originalVegas marriage had not had anything to do with Valentino’s ultimatum.
“I believe you are speaking the truth, as you know it,” he said, coming to stand beside her, almost sounding sorry for her. She glanced up at him, frowning.
“You think Luca only married me because of the company?”
“I know it.”
Her heart stammered. He was bluffing. There was no way Paolo couldknowthe terms of their agreement.
“You’re mistaken,” she bluffed right back.
“You need to understand: I have had a lifetime of watching him work. That man will stop at nothing. He will take what he wants, conquer anyone in his path. You’re going to be collateral damage, like so many others before you.”
Her heart stammered. Their marriage was fake. She knew that. Her feelings weren’t in play. But having spent the last few hours at Luca’s side, being held close to him, touched by him, smiled at by him, the line between reality and fiction felt weirdly blurry. She shook her head, needing to refute his statement, even when her throat felt heavy with emotion
“You’re the one who just pointed out: I’m different.”
“Yes, but that’s not a good thing.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re like a sweet little lamb, being led to slaughter. I don’t need a background check on you to know that.”
She gasped. “You did a background check on me?”
His laugh was soft, and somehow, not unkind, even when his words were like acid, making her feel exposed all over again.
“Of course I did. Dante as well. You have married into the Di Santis family. Did you think that came without due diligence?”
“Luca married me,” she refuted angrily. “It has nothing to do with the rest of you.”
“But you’re wrong,” he said again. “This marriage is Luca’s way of taking something from Dante and me, of taking our birthright. All our lives, we have fought for the right to control the company, and our grandfather has enjoyed seeing who rose to the top. Do you know who always won? Every damned time?”
She held her breath, even when she knew the answer.
“Your husband,” he said viciously. “Because where Dante and I are governed by some kind of decency, some belief in doing what is right, your husband will stand on anyone he needs to in order to get ahead. You are going to be destroyed by him, Allegra. And it brings me no pleasure to say that.”
She shook her head, wanting to deny it, but the words simply wouldn’t come.
“Like I said, you’re a lamb. Too kind, too trusting, and way too good for him.” Paolo sighed heavily. “I wish I could convince you to leave him. That man will chew you up and spit you out, and he will not feel a single shred of guilt in doing so. I’m very sorry he managed to talk you into this.”
Paolo stared at her, to see his words hit their mark, and then left, the trees rustling and whispering as he passed by. Ally shivered, despite the warmth of the night, a sadness wrapping around her that she didn’t want to feel.
CHAPTER 9
PERHAPS HIS WARNING HAD been vital, though. A reminder she’d badly needed, because the more time she spent with Luca, the easier it was to forget that their marriage was predicated on a business arrangement, and nothing more.
Desire had swarmed her all week, and they’d spent meals talking about his life, her life – just the essentials, but enough to be able to pass themselves off as a genuine couple. And along the way, she’d lost sight of the truth at the heart of this marriage.
She’d started to enjoy his company.
To look forward to spending time together.
To want his body, yes, but also, their conversations.
Yet Paolo had only reinforced what Luca himself had told her.I break things.
