Page 75 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

Emma felt stupid.

All the pieces that had been scattered about inpassing conversations, missed looks, vague statements, and the bad blood allaround. The focal point of her memories drove straight back to the day after anight she wished would erase from her memories. After she had lost her secondchild.

“Calisto.”

“Don’t touch me, zio.”

“Tu sei il primo.”

“Mai.”

You’re the first, Affonso had toldCalisto outside of her hospital room. His first boy, he meant.

Never.

Calisto hadn’t denied it, he simply refused it.

Never.

Had Calisto been the result of an affair betweenCamilla Donati and Affonso, or something worse?

“When were you going to tell me?” Emma asked.

Affonso cocked a brow. “Tell me what?”

“That you have a son, but he hates you so much. Whydoes he hate you, Affonso?”

He pushed off the wall, glancing away. “Hurry up.”

“Won’t you answer me?”

“I have no son.”

He was lying. He wouldn’t look at her.

“Calisto is—”

“Do not even think about the words you want to say,”Affonso hissed, turning back on Emma with a glare that silenced her.

Panic welled in her throat, thumping right along withthe beats of her heart.

What was he hiding?

“Okay,” Emma whispered.

“You did a good job at covering those bruises. Learnto keep your thoughts to yourself, or you’ll find yourself covering more. Ihope I’ve made myself clear.”

Jesus.

“Yes, Affonso.”

He looked her over once more. “I’ll give you what youwant.”

To leave her alone …

“Will you?” she asked.

Affonso shrugged. “You can’t give me what I want,after all. What would be the point?”