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Alessandra recalled the details preceding her attack. The conversation they never had following her confrontation with Riley and the lipstick on her husband’s collar. She could see the writing on the wall. He was pulling away from her. There was no more pretending the issues between them didn’t exist.
Drake’s angry voice carried in from the next room. He was arguing with someone. Alessandra stealthily made her way to the door and cracked it open so she could hear the one-sided conversation. Though he spoke mostly in Italian, she understood key phrases.
“It’s time to call the Cosa Nostra…”
Alessandra’s hand flew to her mouth to hide a gasp. Could Drake be connected to a family? She wondered if there was any clue she’d missed. She knew all her father’s associates; again, the Walkers weren’t a part of that. Riley’s last name was Watson. If Anthony could get to her, it was unlikely she had connections with a different family.
“Lei non lo sa… she doesn’t know. I could lose her.”
Apparently, there was a lot she didn’t know about her husband, and she was determined to find out.
“La amo… I love her. How could I tell her I’ve been lying this whole time?”
That admission was a huge punch to the gut. He loved her! She should be flying on cloud nine, but instead, her heart was hurt by his admission of lies.
“Merda! I don’t know.”
Achoo—Alessandra sneezed and quickly shuffled from the door.
“I’ve got to go; she’s awake. Ciao.”
Alessandra slipped back into the cool sheets and stretched as though she’d just woken up when Drake opened the door. He greeted her with a tense smile.
“Good morning, bella. How’d you sleep? Are you in pain?” He crossed to the dresser where her bottle of painkillers sat.
“I’m fine, Drake. Thank you. Have you been up long?”
“I’ve been on the phone with the office this morning. Work’s beginning to pile up. I’m making arrangements to head back next week.”
“Next week?”
“Yes. I’ve been assigned a new case. Unfortunately, there’s work I can’t do remotely.”
Alessandra waited for Drake to elaborate, but he didn’t. She wondered how her husband could remain so calm and collected. Clearly, he was seasoned at keeping secrets, and they were tearing her apart. Riley’s revelation, Drake’s odd behavior, and the conversation she had just overheard made her head ache.
“I know you slept with Riley, Drake! You’ve been lying to me for so long. I will walk out that door right now if you don’t tell me the truth.”
Drake froze, and his spine stiffened. They sized each other up. After a tense silence, he turned on his heel and left the room. Alessandra stumbled out of bed and quickly pulled on leggings and a faded hoodie. She found Drake in the living room.
Her breath hitched at her husband’s rugged appearance. His wavy hair, which was normally smoothed back, lay on his forehead. The dark line of facial hair growing in made his jaw appear sharper. He wore a dark-gray v-neck shirt with rings and straps. Her eyes followed the line down to his exposed collar, wanting to bury her nose in his skin and run her nails through the tuft of curls that were barely visible. His ankles were crossed, hidden beneath black denim jeans.
“Sit down,” Drake commanded. Instead of obeying, she cocked her hip and stared defiantly. “Don’t get too excited, dolcezza. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
“Don’t distract me,” Alessandra snapped back. “I know you’ve been lying, and I want the truth. Now!”
Drake rose from the couch and slowly approached her, but she refused to cower before him. He grabbed her arm, not tight, but firm enough to remind her who was in charge. She yanked her arm from his grasp.
“Don’t you dare touch me!”
“Sit down!” he spat.
With a defiant look, Alessandra plopped on the couch. Drake’s eyes blazed as he sat next to her. She wanted to scooch away but wasn’t willing to give him the satisfaction of seeing how he affected her. She crossed her arms and lifted her chin instead.
“I don’t know what you possibly think I’ve been lying about.”
Alessandra wanted to smack him at his faux nonchalance. She’d been a ball of anxiety and variable knots for too long. He knew damn well what lies he’d been keeping. Or maybe there were just so many he didn’t know what they were anymore.
“I know that you’ve been sleeping with Riley. She told Noah and me about the baby. Don’t try and deny it, Drake. She showed me an ultrasound picture.”
