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A small amount of guilt tugged at my heart because I had said we were even, but this was before that. This was decided before that.
Evgenii leans over to get Ivan’s attention, and he listens, nods, and looks at me.
I look away, but Evgenii stands up, drawing attention to himself,
“Apologies, Dons, Pahkan, and family members. I will need to be excused. Some work has come up.” Once the leaders give their blessing, he buttons his suit jacket and leaves the room, his food and drink untouched.
I turn back to the ladies observing me and shake my head. “I don’t care.”
They don’t look like they believe me, but we go back to discussing the wedding.
Alessandro touches my arm once we’re out of the building, “Ride with me again. I want to discuss something.”
I climb into his vehicle, and once we’re on our way, he looks at me. “I’m pleased with the job you did,” he sighs. “I think you deserve a pay increase for a job well done—maybe a little bonus. I’ll let you give me an offer on what you want for both. I’ll decide what you get.”
I sit back and sigh. “I can’t believe it worked.”
“What worked?” he asks curiously.
“So, Evgenii and I had an agreement to make our proposals identical so that it would be a fair choice between the families, but I changed mine to be better to secure the territory for us. It's brilliant because we won and because I finally taught Evgenii what it’s like to be led along and then betrayed.”
Alessandro doesn’t look as impressed as I’d hoped, and I’m confused. He looks out the window and remains quiet. I bite my lip, worried he is mad.
“It’s just business. Ivan won’t hold it against you, surely,” I say.
He looks at me and gives me a sad smile.
“Are you mad?” I ask quietly.
He shakes his head and sighs. “I didn’t want to take this from you.”
“Take what?” I ask.
“Evgenii had lowered his proposal to ensure that you won. He deliberately did it and had it approved by Ivan so that it could be his gift to you, to make up for what he did,” He puts a hand on mine. “Ivan told me yesterday.”
I shake my head. “Why would he do that?”
“He felt guilty?” Alessandro suggests. “Or because he really does love you? Shirls, you still worked damn hard and deserved the win. It’s still your win in my eyes.”
I look out my own window, confused. I’ve known Evgenii always to be a go-getter and always to make sure that his family came first. I don’t know how I feel about this. I hate him, but I don’t. I hate him, and I’m hurt, but a part of me is quietly whispering that I need to move on from that because these last few weeks, he’s gone out of his way to love me, to prove he loves me and that he wants to give me everything but I don’t know if I handle that. How can I trust someone who shattered my life to pieces?
Alessandro squeezes my hand, but we don’t speak again.
When we get home, he takes my briefcase and jacket and hands them to the maid. As we walk, he turns towards the dining room, we weren’t expecting food, but Alessandro always eats with Helena and Romero.
“I’m going to go lie down. I’m not hungry,” I try to smile, and he nods.
I get into my room and sit on my bed, staring at the wall. Should I have given Evgenii another chance? How was I supposed to know he meant it? I mean, he said so, but he also said many things last time and then betrayed me. He can’t just have my trust back with a few words and great sex.
I curl up on my bed, trying to figure up what this emotion is building inside me.
I think it’s guilt.
Chapter 28 - Evgenii
I laugh at my sister. It’s our turn to host Sunday lunch at our restaurant. It’s been days since the Pacheco proposals, and I’m still salty, but Nat makes it better. She has always known how to bring a smile to my face. We’re waiting for Tori’s family to join us so we can eat.
Nat smiles brightly and says, “I’m going to go help in the kitchen because I might be able to sneak a bite. I’m starving.”
