Page 154 of Marcello

“Why not?”

“Because my job is here.”

Which was true.

And remaining in my job was what kept my family alive.

She looked down at her plate and started picking at her food.

“Something wrong?” I asked.

“You don’t manage a hotel, do you.”

I froze.

Hadn’t been expecting that one, to be honest.

“What?” I finally said in confusion.

She looked up at me. “You never talk about your work. You never mention anything having to do with hotels. It’s like you’re keeping that part of your life a secret.”

Well, YEAH.

For damn good reasons.

If she knew what I actually did…

If she knew the kind of monsters I worked for…

She would never want to see me again.

And I couldn’t bear that possibility. She was the only good thing in my entire life.

Rather than tell her that, though, I turned into an asshole.

“You’re one to talk.”

She turned pale. “What do you mean?”

“You’re 21 years old, but you live at home with your father. You don’t go to university, you never talk about having any friends – it’s like you live in a prison when you’re not with me. And you sure as hell don’t talk about it.”

She didn’t say anything.

“Is your family incredibly rich or something, and that’s why your father never lets you out?” I asked. “Like he’s a billionaire or something, and he’s afraid you’ll get kidnapped?”

She flinched like I’d touched an exposed nerve. “Why do you say that?”

“You’re obviously accustomed to money. You never comment about the hotel room or the room service, like you just expect it.”

She looked hurt and angry. “What, so I’m a spoiled, entitled bitch?”

“No!” I fumed. “I don’t care about you thanking me – it’s just obvious you take it all for granted. Which is something someone accustomed to a lot of wealth would do.”

“Thank you for the hotel room and the room service,” she said, but it came out pissed-off.

“Yeah, you sound real grateful,” I snapped.

“You’re just trying to change the subject!” she said, raising her voice. “I don’t even know your last name! Is Romeo even your real first name?!”