Page 12 of The Billionaire's Destiny

I tensed. Did Rocco know everything my father had on us? “Rocco?”

His eyes flashed to me.

“We should talk about this.”

His brows pulled together. “No, go ahead, Gunnar.”

I let out a frustrated huff and rubbed my eyes, forcing myself to focus. Each minute Rocco ignored me while on his call, my irritation simmered hotter.

The rich scent of espresso drifted over, drawing my gaze to a tray by the stone fireplace. I took a moment to remove myself from Rocco’s conversation and see what he had brought me. Panettone, yogurt, fruit, and a single plumeria bloom on thetray, just like the ones from our honeymoon. It was a reminder of our escape. Flowers were a fragile peace blooming, even amid chaos, like a lotus rising from the mud. Beauty came with a mess under the surface. It had been the same ever since I first stepped into my grandparents’ Westchester home.

With a heavy sigh, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood.

“Stay right there, Adelina,” Rocco barked, his voice rough. He fixed his gaze on me. Naked or not, I stood tall, hands planted on my hips.

“You don’t get to order me around.” Rocco’s tone echoed my grandparents’. I’d made a mistake, but I refused to be ruled again.

“Talk to you later,” Rocco said, ending his call. But I didn’t stop walking, even as he tossed his phone on the bed in front of me. “Where are you going?”

“Away from your yelling,” I shot back, storming toward the bathroom.

He caught up in a flash, his hands gripping my hips, unyielding. “Why didn’t you tell me about your father?”

“When? When was I supposed to tell you—”

“The second you saw me.”

“You just got back. You said you wanted a pause.”

“Not when it comes to someone hurting you.” His voice rose, but he let me go.

I hurried into the bathroom and snatched a robe from the hook. His presence pressed close behind me, and when I glanced back, he leaned against the doorframe.

“You saw the video,” I mumbled.

“Yeah, I did. That’s all you have to say?” he hissed.

I tightened the robe around my waist and pressed my lips together. “What do you want from me? An apology for crying and embarrassing you?”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it. I expected you to tell me, not Gunnar, Isla, and Paul. I protect you. You’re under my protection, Bella.” The agony in his voice ripped my heart, and I understood it wasn’t all about pride, but that he wanted to be the one I could count on.

“Goddamn it. That asshole should be terrified to cross me. And what are you doing going out alone? It’s not safe for you. What on earth possessed you to ‘sneak out’ without telling Zane where you went?” he demanded in a sharp tone.

I glanced at him and lowered my head. “I…I went to the bookstore…to buy you a poetry book to help me express how much you mean to me. Because the love I feel for you is bigger than what I can say,” I choked.

Rocco charged across to me and pulled me into his arms, holding me tight. “My sweet Bella,” he said, his tone softening. “I’m upset because I was thousands of miles away, and you were crying alone.”

“I know,” I said, my voice shaky as I sniffled. “It all happened so fast. Zane appeared on the street and took us to the airport to fly to Florence. I haven’t even talked to Cass or my family yet about the video, and I’m sure they’ve seen it. I just wanted for us to be happy together alone, even for a little while.”

He rubbed my back as I breathed deep, letting the tension drain away. Once I steadied myself, I confessed. “I wasn’t just hiding things from you. I was going to-to get a restraining order. I just wanted to talk to Ian first.”

“I had Gunnar order one, and he had it hand-delivered to the judge who married us. He will sign it.”

“That fast?”

“That’s right. Your father is not allowed to contact you, but that’s not enough. I need his fear. Why the hell isn’t Eric scared of me?” He walked us to the edge of the bed, and we sat down. Iturned to face him, and from his earnest expression, I could tell he was anxious for answers.

My brows knitted as I thought about it. Judge Colby was often overly confident. “Maybe because he got away with so much before. He has all our family secrets.”