Page 53 of The Billionaire's Destiny

“Yeah. That’s great. I’m sure they came out great…I can’t stop saying great.”

“I see,” he said. His eyes scanned over me with an amused expression. “You look lovely.”

“Thanks…thank you.” I shifted my stance. “So…?”

“I’m going to take a shower, then we’ll go.” He came close and gave my arm a gentle squeeze before walking off toward the bedroom.Still no kisses…but what do I deserve?

I let out a heavy sigh and distracted myself with more congratulations, even from professors and classmates I barely remembered. Then I spotted a message from Mama titled “New Hair—Blonde Ambition.” Curiosity piqued, I opened it, and my jaw dropped. She’d gone platinum-blonde and wore a fitted V-neck top that revealed more than I’d ever seen her show. What was she thinking?Should I be worried?

There was nothing I could do about Mama now, so I tucked my phone away and smoothed my hair only to realize something was missing. My charm bracelet. I remembered the way the diamonds caught the light and how the pearls glided over my skin. Rocco had given it to me. A gift that seemed spontaneous but carried so much meaning in his words.

“…those diamonds and pearls are rare beauties born out of fire and fight. That’s you, Adelina. And that lock holding it is me. It means you’re mine, and you belong to me. Even far away, I have you. Our bond is soul-deep.”

Each time I fastened the bracelet, I was transported back to that moment. Rocco made me feel claimed by love, by promise, and now, I needed to find it again.

Checking my handbag, I turned up nothing. My mind attempted to retrace the last time I had seen it, but it went blank. Had I left it in the bedroom after I changed?

I returned to the bedroom, checked around the bed and closet, and still couldn’t find it. The bathroom door was open, and the shower was still going. I could wait until Rocco finished; however, I walked in. It was impossible not to want to see him, and my gaze went straight to the walk-in shower. Steam fogged the glass, but I could still see Rocco. He stood with one hand on the wall and the other moving in front of him. His head suddenly turned my way, but he didn’t stop stroking his dick.

My jaw dropped, and I spun around, fleeing the bedroom. I leaned against the door, breathless. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t seen him jerk off before, but my cheeks burned, and my stomach twisted with worry. Why would he do that? Did he not find me attractive anymore?Yet, he just called me lovely.

“Are you okay?” Zane walked up, studying me. I could see from his expression that he’d been briefed on my possible pregnancy. “You sick? Do you need to see a doctor? I’ll get Rocco—”

“No,” I said, shaking my head rapidly. “Please. I need some air. Do you think we can wait for Rocco in the car?”

Zane hesitated. I knew I’d have to tell him more, or he’d get Rocco, and I wasn’t ready to face him or talk about it yet.

“I’m not sick, I’m…I’m upset…with Rocco.” My face burned.

“Hmm.” His brow puckered, and he took out his phone and started texting. “I’ll let Rocco know I’m taking you down to the car.”

“Thank you,” I said, and sighed in relief, though I walked ahead of him to the elevator and pressed the button twice.

“Wait.” Zane left me and came back a few minutes later. “You forgot your sunglasses.”

I thanked him and put them on. The elevator door finally opened, and we climbed inside and started lowering.

“Did you hear me, Adelina?”

I realized he’d been speaking to me, and I had missed what he said. “I’m sorry, Zane. What did you say?”

“The press is downstairs, and they may ask you questions about whether you’ll see your father and your mother-in-law in Italy.”

I grimaced. “What? Here?”

“They’re in Rome, is what has been reported. We have security downstairs and outside. Two in front, me at your side. Try not to worry.”

My nails dug into the skin of my hand. My father in Italy couldn’t have been a coincidence. What did he want or think he could get? “Zane?”

“Yes?”

“Do you know if he’s lost his job as a judge?”

“Last update was that he’s on a leave of absence. I believe the governor told him to take leave rather than be dismissed. The situation is delicate, with elections coming this fall, but if Rocco wants him fired, he’s fired. It’s just not public.”

No governor would want to get involved in a scandal in an election year. Judge Colby had a legacy and powerful friends. However, Rocco had immense wealth and privilege, which seemed above the law.

“Thank you.” I adjusted my sunglasses, and two men in suits stepped up to Zane, one of whom took out a walkie-talkie before we all moved toward the exit. Sure enough, there were paparazzi outside the hotel, and some asked questions.