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LILY
The world stops spinning.
I’m more than stunned. I’m frozen, my heart in my throat.
It’s over.
That’s what he said. Before I can even begin to process his exclamation, Nero turns away and heads back into the party. I’m left standing there with the envelope in my hand, the one that contains the future that Nero has chosen for me.
A solo future. Without him.
My heart aches. He’s really packing me off and shipping me away. And as much as I’ve wanted to walk away a hundred times since arriving back in his life, this is the wakeup call I can’t deny.
I love him. I belong with him.
Forever.
I may not have meant my vows when I took them, under duress, but I feel them now, in my heart. He’s the only man I’ve ever loved. And I won’t let him push me away.
Snapping out of my daze, I head back into the party. I frantically scan the crowd, looking for any sign of him, but I don’t see him anywhere.
He’s left.
I charge outside, my anger rising. Kyle is waiting on the curb, like he was expecting me.
“Where is he?” I demand, reaching up and pulling the clip out of my hair that keeps it pulled back tightly. The blonde locks come tumbling down around my shoulders.
“Nero?” Kyle looks wary.
“No, I’m trying to find Brad Pitt, you seen him?”
Kyle sighs. “He didn’t say where he was going. Came out about ten minutes ago and caught a cab.”
“A cab? Why would he do that?”
“Why would I know? He’s your husband.”
Kyle is just kidding around, but his words cause pain to punch a hole in my chest.
I swallow back a sob. “Just take me home, please,” I ask quietly, scrambling into the car. I’ll apologize to Juliet later for bailing without saying goodbye, but I know that I can’t stay another minute and pretend like my heart isn’t breaking.
Why would he do this?
I keep replaying Nero’s words in my head. It’s over. Just like that. Like I’m one of his loyal employees, to boss around as he sees fit.
My shock and heartache shift to anger, as I realize he must have been planning this for days. Planning my life.
How dare he?
My rage builds with every city block, and the minute we pull up outside the townhouse, I climb out of the car and storm inside. I find Nero in the living room, sitting in the chair in front of the fireplace with a newly opened bottle of scotch in his hand. He slumps, drinking straight from the bottle as I stalk over and plant myself in front of him, my hands on my hips.
“That’s it?” I demand, icy. “You think you’re just going to declare us over and be done with it?”
Nero’s gaze hardens. “It’s what you’ve wanted, all along,” he says, taking another swig from the bottle. “We made a bargain when I brought you here: Your help getting the land deal, in exchange for my protection. As far as I’m concerned, you’ve fulfilled your obligation. You’re off the hook. I won’t come after you or Teddy. It’s done.”
I inhale sharply. Everything we’ve been through; he’s just reduced it to a few short sentences. Bargains. Obligation. An exchange.
“What about us?” I demand, my voice twisting with emotion. “I’m your wife now!”
